YOU'LL PROBABLY F I N D that people in the UK are less engaged in the pursuit of entertainment than the average American. You'll rarely hear them asking each other, "What are your plans for the weekend?" Sundays are typically very laid-back, family affairs, with the occasional pint at the local pub before going home for Sunday lunch or dinner. Having said that, Brits do have a great many ways of entertaining themselves; and as usual, there are a great many unwritten rules you'll need to know.
• First things first: The term "theatre" always refers to a stage production, and not the movies. (Also note the spelling!) You might get a few invitations to go to "the pictures," which means a movie theatre or cinema. An older word, but one that is still used for the movies, is "the flicks."
• The theatre in the UK is first class. Obviously, there's London's West End and Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon, but don't write off provincial theatre. "The provinces" have great shows, particularly if a play is touring before going on to a London theater. The Royal Shakespeare Company considers Newcastle-upon-Tyne one of its major venues after Stratford and London. Unlike the States, the cast usually doesn't change when the production moves to a new city, so you have a chance of seeing the "stars" even outside London.
Theater shows usually begin on time; if late, you must often wait until the interval (intermission) to take your seat. Tickets for the big London shows are often hard to come by, but the theatres do sell off cut-price tickets for that night's performance, so it is possible to get lucky. Oh yes, when you see a sign for the "Stalls" in the theatre, it's referring to the orchestra, or ground-level seats. The "Circle" or "Royal Circle" refers to the mezzanine; "Upper Circle" means the Balcony; the "Gallery" is the Upper Balcony; and "the Gods" are the nosebleed seats. One particular piece of theatre you may not be familiar with is the good old "pantomime" or "panto." This is not actually a mime at all, though you will find it most peculiar. Typically performed around Christmastime, it is a lavish performance of a well-known fairy story, such as Cinderella, Mother Goose, Snow White, etc. Many famous British personalities star in these pantomimes and take them on tour around the country. Think of them as precursors to the modern musicals such as Cats and Phantom. There are a few oddities about these pantomimes that you should know of. First, and perhaps most odd, the male lead (called the principal boy), such as Prince Charming in Cinderella, is often played by a female. Every now and then you'll get a female impersonator pretending to be a female in the principal boy role! If there are any old hags to be played, such a witches and wicked stepmothers, you can guarantee they'll be played by men. The second odd thing is the banter. Throughout the pantomime, not only will there be many references to current affairs (which could make you feel like a stranger within the first five minutes), but the players will invariably turn to the audience and yell something like, "Oh no, you wouldn't," to which the audience will join in with, "Oh yes, I would!" Fortunately, the many risque jokes included go over the heads of the little ones and pantos are generally good, safe family entertainment.
• For those of you who haven't visited the UK in a while, British TV has come a long way. For a start, there are now numerous "terrestrial" channels (not satellite or cable), and almost round-the-clock coverage. In addition, most homes now have either satellite or cable channels, allowing you access to many of your favorite American TV shows, as well as a wide variety of European soccer matches. Better than all the TV shows are the commercials (adverts), which people watch as avidly as any soap. They are often much more risque than anything you'd see in the States, and the humor is exceedingly dry. If you have occasion to buy or lease a TV, make sure you also purchase a TV license. Since the BBC channels don't run commercials, they generate revenue via the dreaded license. Yes, it is possible to operate a TV without a license, but if you're caught in the act, you'll receive a hefty fine. (TV detector vans roam the streets and can pick up the signal from your home.) You only need one license per house, no matter how many TVs you have in there, and licenses can be purchased at Post Offices, by phone, mail or online. (By the way, the noun "license" is spelled "licence" in the UK; the verb is still "license.") Under recent licensing regulations, people using PCs to watch television are still required to obtain a television license. The National Lottery: It will appear to you that the Brits are obsessed with their National Lottery. There are several lotteries—daily, weekly, bi-monthly, and monthly—all with different names for players' ease. You can play online (if you're over sixteen), and buy lottery tickets everywhere. When the winning numbers are picked, it is done with much fanfare as a nationally televised half hour show. The winners get 50 percent of the monies paid into the lottery, while about 28 percent of this pool helps fund projects and grants throughout the UK. Turf accountants—otherwise known as betting shops or "bookies," can be found throughout the land as the British love to place bets. Aside from the usual things to bet on, such as horse racing and soccer results, you can currently place bets on who will be the next pope or the next American president. The term "punter" is very common in the UK; it used to refer specifically to gamblers but is now used for customers in general.
The local pub is often the center of entertainment for many people. The bars in the States that claim to be authentic English or Scottish pubs are actually nothing like those in the UK. For a start, British pubs are usually carpeted. If the pub is a tad grotty, your feet will stick to the carpet as you make your way to the bar. If it's a really old country pub, you might see the original flagstone floor. The pub is a good place to meet friends and sit and have a chat. Many, particularly in small towns and villages, have their own darts competitions, football teams, quiz nights, and snooker and cricket teams, which play in pub leagues. (I kid you not!) Of course, there's the other type of pub—noisy, bright, and full of young people out on the town for the night. Most major towns and cities have fairly active social scenes, again with the pub at the center of it all. You'll also find quite a few wine bars, where you can get snacks or even a meal with your glass of vino, and, if you're lucky, you'll be able to hear enough to have a conversation.
• The laws governing alcohol consumption are very different in the UK. It is illegal to give alcohol to a child under five unless it's an emergency, and there must be adult supervision. Children under fourteen are allowed into bars that have a children's certificate; they must stay in a room or area (e.g., garden) where alcohol is consumed but not sold. In other words they can't belly up to the bar. Always check with the restaurant or pub manager as some establishments still refuse to have children on the premises. At ages fourteen and fifteen, minors can go into bars but may not consume alcohol. At sixteen and seventeen they may be bought a beer or cider to eat with a meal but only in restaurants, not pubs. Again, check with the manager beforehand. Eighteen is the legal age at which you may purchase and consume alcohol.
• The UK is sports-mad—unfortunately, not the same sports that you follow in the United States. Soccer (commonly referred to as "football" in Europe, South America, and basically everywhere but the States) is big, and every city has at least one team. Many have two and the rivalry between them is fierce. Unfortunately, a football match/game is not the place for young kids and grannies. The fans often get quite violent and the atmosphere just isn't the same as at American baseball or football games. Alcohol is not served, nor will you be allowed into a match if you appear inebriated. Note: a "pitch" in the UK refers to the field where the game is being played, and a "strip" or "kit" is the uniform. The other big team sports in the UK are rugby, cricket, snooker, and darts, which receive a lot of TV coverage and are followed almost as avidly. Track and field sports are covered extensively and participated in at school. Apparently the biggest participant sport (as opposed to spectator sport) is fishing—or "angling," as it's also known. For obvious reasons, this is not covered widely on TV, but you will see plenty of sheep-dog trials. There used to be a TV show—which was extremely popular and went on for years—called One Man and His Dog. The commentator had to speak in an extremely quiet voice so as not to distract the dogs. I'm not joking! Another sport widely participated in, particularly if you're over eighty, is lawn bowling. In every town, city, and village you'll find a beautifully manicured bowling green with little old men and women quietly bowling big black balls toward a smaller white one. People get very serious about their bowling and spend hours out there.
• A few differences in sporting terms: "Hockey" in the UK is generally understood to refer to field hockey. If you want to talk about ice hockey, say "ice hockey." Similarly, "riding" is the term used for horse-back riding, and skiing refers to snow-skiing rather than water-skiing.
• If you're a big knitter you'll be thrilled at the amount of "wool shops" to be found in the UK. Be aware that knitting
needle sizes are different in the UK so a British knitting pattern is a potential disaster area. Grab a needle size converter before attempting a British pattern and you won't have to buy a new supply of knitting needles. Yarn is generally called "wool." Similarly, if you're into sewing, remember that British sizing is different so double-check any patterns you buy. Many department stores have fabric and wool departments.
• One thing that will have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief is Morris dancing. This is a centuries old type of folkdancing done by enthusiasts up and down the country, and indeed in North America and the Antipodes. Its origins are heavily debated and linked to the far corners of the globe; however there are references to Morris dancing in Shakespeare. It is probably the closest to traditional English dancing that there is, although there are huge regional differences both in the dance steps and the costumes. For costumes they are! Probably the closest thing to an English national costume actually. In most cases the men (and a few women) wear knee breaches, baggy shirts and vests. The shirts are almost always white but the breaches can be black or white and the vests can be any color. Some Morris dancers have bells attached to the bottom of their breeches, some wear clogs and some paint their faces black. The dancers sort of gaily jump around clashing sticks, swords or waving handkerchiefs, accompanied by a variety of instruments closely related to the accordion. Morris dancing is largely associated with May Day celebrations. Teams compete in national and international competitions and are passionate about their hobby. If you look up Morris dancing on the Internet you will see what I mean. Another national hobby that you'll find quaint and amusing is the brass band. The celebrated composer, conductor, and wit Sir Thomas Beecham is alleged to have said "Brass bands are all very well in their place—outdoors and several miles away". The British movie "Brassed Off" accurately portrays brass bands in the UK. Generally regarded as a working class hobby, there are competitions around the country to proclaim the best brass band. Many brass bands are affiliated to work situations such as factories and mines, and the band members must be employees to be eligible to compete. Many outdoor parks still have Victorian band stands, and the practice of a brass band playing on Sunday afternoons is being revived in some areas. The world of entertainment in general will be very different in the UK. American celebrities who can barely walk along the street in the States without being mobbed are unknown in the UK—apart from the Tom Cruise-type international superstars. Katie Couric, Barbara Walters, Dave Letterman, Sammy Sosa? They would probably only be recognized by fellow Americans. Similarly, the personalities that are featured every week in British gossip columns will ring no bells with you. Don't worry, you'll soon know exactly who Lulu, Denise Van Outen, and Cliff Richards are.
BRITISH WORDS THAT MIGHT
REQUIRE TRANSLATION
Adverts n—commercials
(The) baths n—swimming pool; swimming baths
"The Beeb"—affectionate name for the BBC
BBC—British Broadcasting Corporation
Booking office n—ticket office
Bookmaker/bookies—betting shop
Chat show—talk show
Dobber n—remote control
"The flicks" n—the movies
Gods n—nosebleed seats in the theatre
ITN—Independent Television Network
Kit n—sports uniform
Match n—game (football, cricket, etc.)
"The pictures" n—the movies
Pitch n—playing field
Snug n—small section in very old bars
Stands n—bleachers
Stalls n—orchestra seats in the theatre
Strip n—sports uniform
Terraces n—bleachers (in soccer)
AMERICAN WORDS THAT THE BRITS
DON'T SHARE:
Bleachers—stands
Movie theater—cinema; the pictures
Orchestra seats—Stalls
Pinch hitter—doesn't exist
Ticket office—booking office
Uniform—this word is only used for military, police, and other such professional attire; not sports attire
• First things first: The term "theatre" always refers to a stage production, and not the movies. (Also note the spelling!) You might get a few invitations to go to "the pictures," which means a movie theatre or cinema. An older word, but one that is still used for the movies, is "the flicks."
• The theatre in the UK is first class. Obviously, there's London's West End and Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon, but don't write off provincial theatre. "The provinces" have great shows, particularly if a play is touring before going on to a London theater. The Royal Shakespeare Company considers Newcastle-upon-Tyne one of its major venues after Stratford and London. Unlike the States, the cast usually doesn't change when the production moves to a new city, so you have a chance of seeing the "stars" even outside London.
Theater shows usually begin on time; if late, you must often wait until the interval (intermission) to take your seat. Tickets for the big London shows are often hard to come by, but the theatres do sell off cut-price tickets for that night's performance, so it is possible to get lucky. Oh yes, when you see a sign for the "Stalls" in the theatre, it's referring to the orchestra, or ground-level seats. The "Circle" or "Royal Circle" refers to the mezzanine; "Upper Circle" means the Balcony; the "Gallery" is the Upper Balcony; and "the Gods" are the nosebleed seats. One particular piece of theatre you may not be familiar with is the good old "pantomime" or "panto." This is not actually a mime at all, though you will find it most peculiar. Typically performed around Christmastime, it is a lavish performance of a well-known fairy story, such as Cinderella, Mother Goose, Snow White, etc. Many famous British personalities star in these pantomimes and take them on tour around the country. Think of them as precursors to the modern musicals such as Cats and Phantom. There are a few oddities about these pantomimes that you should know of. First, and perhaps most odd, the male lead (called the principal boy), such as Prince Charming in Cinderella, is often played by a female. Every now and then you'll get a female impersonator pretending to be a female in the principal boy role! If there are any old hags to be played, such a witches and wicked stepmothers, you can guarantee they'll be played by men. The second odd thing is the banter. Throughout the pantomime, not only will there be many references to current affairs (which could make you feel like a stranger within the first five minutes), but the players will invariably turn to the audience and yell something like, "Oh no, you wouldn't," to which the audience will join in with, "Oh yes, I would!" Fortunately, the many risque jokes included go over the heads of the little ones and pantos are generally good, safe family entertainment.
• For those of you who haven't visited the UK in a while, British TV has come a long way. For a start, there are now numerous "terrestrial" channels (not satellite or cable), and almost round-the-clock coverage. In addition, most homes now have either satellite or cable channels, allowing you access to many of your favorite American TV shows, as well as a wide variety of European soccer matches. Better than all the TV shows are the commercials (adverts), which people watch as avidly as any soap. They are often much more risque than anything you'd see in the States, and the humor is exceedingly dry. If you have occasion to buy or lease a TV, make sure you also purchase a TV license. Since the BBC channels don't run commercials, they generate revenue via the dreaded license. Yes, it is possible to operate a TV without a license, but if you're caught in the act, you'll receive a hefty fine. (TV detector vans roam the streets and can pick up the signal from your home.) You only need one license per house, no matter how many TVs you have in there, and licenses can be purchased at Post Offices, by phone, mail or online. (By the way, the noun "license" is spelled "licence" in the UK; the verb is still "license.") Under recent licensing regulations, people using PCs to watch television are still required to obtain a television license. The National Lottery: It will appear to you that the Brits are obsessed with their National Lottery. There are several lotteries—daily, weekly, bi-monthly, and monthly—all with different names for players' ease. You can play online (if you're over sixteen), and buy lottery tickets everywhere. When the winning numbers are picked, it is done with much fanfare as a nationally televised half hour show. The winners get 50 percent of the monies paid into the lottery, while about 28 percent of this pool helps fund projects and grants throughout the UK. Turf accountants—otherwise known as betting shops or "bookies," can be found throughout the land as the British love to place bets. Aside from the usual things to bet on, such as horse racing and soccer results, you can currently place bets on who will be the next pope or the next American president. The term "punter" is very common in the UK; it used to refer specifically to gamblers but is now used for customers in general.
The local pub is often the center of entertainment for many people. The bars in the States that claim to be authentic English or Scottish pubs are actually nothing like those in the UK. For a start, British pubs are usually carpeted. If the pub is a tad grotty, your feet will stick to the carpet as you make your way to the bar. If it's a really old country pub, you might see the original flagstone floor. The pub is a good place to meet friends and sit and have a chat. Many, particularly in small towns and villages, have their own darts competitions, football teams, quiz nights, and snooker and cricket teams, which play in pub leagues. (I kid you not!) Of course, there's the other type of pub—noisy, bright, and full of young people out on the town for the night. Most major towns and cities have fairly active social scenes, again with the pub at the center of it all. You'll also find quite a few wine bars, where you can get snacks or even a meal with your glass of vino, and, if you're lucky, you'll be able to hear enough to have a conversation.
• The laws governing alcohol consumption are very different in the UK. It is illegal to give alcohol to a child under five unless it's an emergency, and there must be adult supervision. Children under fourteen are allowed into bars that have a children's certificate; they must stay in a room or area (e.g., garden) where alcohol is consumed but not sold. In other words they can't belly up to the bar. Always check with the restaurant or pub manager as some establishments still refuse to have children on the premises. At ages fourteen and fifteen, minors can go into bars but may not consume alcohol. At sixteen and seventeen they may be bought a beer or cider to eat with a meal but only in restaurants, not pubs. Again, check with the manager beforehand. Eighteen is the legal age at which you may purchase and consume alcohol.
• The UK is sports-mad—unfortunately, not the same sports that you follow in the United States. Soccer (commonly referred to as "football" in Europe, South America, and basically everywhere but the States) is big, and every city has at least one team. Many have two and the rivalry between them is fierce. Unfortunately, a football match/game is not the place for young kids and grannies. The fans often get quite violent and the atmosphere just isn't the same as at American baseball or football games. Alcohol is not served, nor will you be allowed into a match if you appear inebriated. Note: a "pitch" in the UK refers to the field where the game is being played, and a "strip" or "kit" is the uniform. The other big team sports in the UK are rugby, cricket, snooker, and darts, which receive a lot of TV coverage and are followed almost as avidly. Track and field sports are covered extensively and participated in at school. Apparently the biggest participant sport (as opposed to spectator sport) is fishing—or "angling," as it's also known. For obvious reasons, this is not covered widely on TV, but you will see plenty of sheep-dog trials. There used to be a TV show—which was extremely popular and went on for years—called One Man and His Dog. The commentator had to speak in an extremely quiet voice so as not to distract the dogs. I'm not joking! Another sport widely participated in, particularly if you're over eighty, is lawn bowling. In every town, city, and village you'll find a beautifully manicured bowling green with little old men and women quietly bowling big black balls toward a smaller white one. People get very serious about their bowling and spend hours out there.
• A few differences in sporting terms: "Hockey" in the UK is generally understood to refer to field hockey. If you want to talk about ice hockey, say "ice hockey." Similarly, "riding" is the term used for horse-back riding, and skiing refers to snow-skiing rather than water-skiing.
• If you're a big knitter you'll be thrilled at the amount of "wool shops" to be found in the UK. Be aware that knitting
needle sizes are different in the UK so a British knitting pattern is a potential disaster area. Grab a needle size converter before attempting a British pattern and you won't have to buy a new supply of knitting needles. Yarn is generally called "wool." Similarly, if you're into sewing, remember that British sizing is different so double-check any patterns you buy. Many department stores have fabric and wool departments.
• One thing that will have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief is Morris dancing. This is a centuries old type of folkdancing done by enthusiasts up and down the country, and indeed in North America and the Antipodes. Its origins are heavily debated and linked to the far corners of the globe; however there are references to Morris dancing in Shakespeare. It is probably the closest to traditional English dancing that there is, although there are huge regional differences both in the dance steps and the costumes. For costumes they are! Probably the closest thing to an English national costume actually. In most cases the men (and a few women) wear knee breaches, baggy shirts and vests. The shirts are almost always white but the breaches can be black or white and the vests can be any color. Some Morris dancers have bells attached to the bottom of their breeches, some wear clogs and some paint their faces black. The dancers sort of gaily jump around clashing sticks, swords or waving handkerchiefs, accompanied by a variety of instruments closely related to the accordion. Morris dancing is largely associated with May Day celebrations. Teams compete in national and international competitions and are passionate about their hobby. If you look up Morris dancing on the Internet you will see what I mean. Another national hobby that you'll find quaint and amusing is the brass band. The celebrated composer, conductor, and wit Sir Thomas Beecham is alleged to have said "Brass bands are all very well in their place—outdoors and several miles away". The British movie "Brassed Off" accurately portrays brass bands in the UK. Generally regarded as a working class hobby, there are competitions around the country to proclaim the best brass band. Many brass bands are affiliated to work situations such as factories and mines, and the band members must be employees to be eligible to compete. Many outdoor parks still have Victorian band stands, and the practice of a brass band playing on Sunday afternoons is being revived in some areas. The world of entertainment in general will be very different in the UK. American celebrities who can barely walk along the street in the States without being mobbed are unknown in the UK—apart from the Tom Cruise-type international superstars. Katie Couric, Barbara Walters, Dave Letterman, Sammy Sosa? They would probably only be recognized by fellow Americans. Similarly, the personalities that are featured every week in British gossip columns will ring no bells with you. Don't worry, you'll soon know exactly who Lulu, Denise Van Outen, and Cliff Richards are.
BRITISH WORDS THAT MIGHT
REQUIRE TRANSLATION
Adverts n—commercials
(The) baths n—swimming pool; swimming baths
"The Beeb"—affectionate name for the BBC
BBC—British Broadcasting Corporation
Booking office n—ticket office
Bookmaker/bookies—betting shop
Chat show—talk show
Dobber n—remote control
"The flicks" n—the movies
Gods n—nosebleed seats in the theatre
ITN—Independent Television Network
Kit n—sports uniform
Match n—game (football, cricket, etc.)
"The pictures" n—the movies
Pitch n—playing field
Snug n—small section in very old bars
Stands n—bleachers
Stalls n—orchestra seats in the theatre
Strip n—sports uniform
Terraces n—bleachers (in soccer)
AMERICAN WORDS THAT THE BRITS
DON'T SHARE:
Bleachers—stands
Movie theater—cinema; the pictures
Orchestra seats—Stalls
Pinch hitter—doesn't exist
Ticket office—booking office
Uniform—this word is only used for military, police, and other such professional attire; not sports attire
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