The Geek Interpreters

[jesskayding]

You know I could be thinking of Molly's stand in Sherlock. Yup.. Woopsies

[Carol the Dabbler]

Oh, right -- Molly's fiance was Tom for sure.

 

[Arcadia]

 

While we're on the subject of British slang, what IS a "git", anyway? I mean, I know what it means to be called a git, but does it have a literal meaning too, like "bollocks" does?

 

My British dictionary simply calls it slang, meaning "a stupid or unpleasant man."  Aha!  Oxford Dictionaries Online has once more come to the rescue -- they say it originated in the 1940's from the word "get," which in the UK apparently can be used to mean much the same thing as "git."  This is apparently derived from the noun "get" in the sense of "offspring" -- so maybe it's something like saying "son of a <fill in the blank>."...............

 

"Sherlock, you get ....." Doesn't have the same ring, somehow!

 

Thanks Carol!

[besleybean]

Yes,  both 'get' and 'git' are interchangeable expressions for  a not very pleasant or stupid man, but I've never really known what they mean...you just grow up hearnig them!

[Redbeard]

There is a Monkees song called "Randy Scouse Git".  It is making more sense now.

[Carol the Dabbler]

In cosmopolitan American English, that would be "Horny Liverpudlian Jerk," I suppose.  Doesn't quite have the same ring!

 

[Arcadia]

Not the same ring, but if you were trying to insult someone, that sure would do the job!

 

Not my fave Monkees song, as I recall.

[jesskayding]

[sfmpco]

Okay, so what does Mary's slang of "and then his nibs shows up..." in TEH mean?

[Arcadia]

"His nibs" -- humorous title used to poke fun at someone who acts like he's in charge or otherwise really hot stuff.   It's American slang, too.

[Carol the Dabbler]

"His nibs" -- humorous title used to poke fun at someone who acts like he's in charge or otherwise really hot stuff.   It's American slang, too.

 

 

Right, kinda like "His Royal Highness."

[jesskayding]

I never heard of nibs before this show.

[Arcadia]

We've always referred to our cats as his or her nibs. Because they're soooooooooo superior. Y'know?

[jesskayding]

Well now I know. Maybe it's just a term that is not yet common in Ohio.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Indiana is right next to Ohio, so I suspect it may be more of an older term -- as in "Her Nibs, Miss Georgia Gibbs."

 

[Arcadia]

Ehrmagerd, that's too old even for me!

[Carol the Dabbler]

I will point out that I've mostly just heard of her -- her career was largely in my parents' day.  And I should mention that in her case, the term "her nibs" was meant as a genuine compliment, not sarcastically the way Mary used it.  It's a common expression either way.

 

 

 

[besleybean]

Er, 'his nibs' is English slang for  a lord, or other aristocrat.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Right, same here, except that we don't have official lords.

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Or ladies or aristocratics of course there are those in the 1 percent who like to think of themselves as such.

[sfmpco]

Thank you all for yet another tiny bit of Sherlock solved!

 

[jesskayding]

Excuse you Fox, but I certainly am a Lady!

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Well, technically so ain't I but I think the title would only be pertinent in Scotland.

[besleybean]

Huh?

[jesskayding]

yeah I'm lost too!