1/22/09

Brit' Word of the Day!

Well it's been awhile, but at work yesterday I said something that caused some puzzled looks, although I know some of you will definitely know these. So we have a BWOTD and phrase:

"Why are you all tarted up today then?"

'Tarted up' = dolled up

derived from:

'Tart' = a Floozy

Neither of these expressions are terribly derogatory in England, they certainly can be, but if it's said between friends it's more of a jokey thing. "You old tart" was very much an affectionate teasing term between my girlfriends!

And just for a giggle, here's a piccie of me and my girlfriends back home, providing a perfect example of 'tarted up' on a Christmas night out a few years ago!

13 comments:

Daryl said...

That's 'tarted up'? Oh honey, you Brits are way to conservative .. here in the States 'tarting up' is a lot glitzier .. think .. umm .. Cher at the Oscars ...

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Years ago I worked with a Brit here in OK. We would go around and visit Oklahoma Oil guys. He got to calling some of them "old fruit." They didn't like it too much until they got to know him.
He was a lot of fun. He went back across the pond years ago.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Methinks you look spiffing, all tarted up !
I save my Christmas cracker party hats, every year, if you want to eat dinner at my house, then you'll be wearing one...
In response to reading the comment from Yogi:
I seem to have a habit of calling people "love" when I end a conversation of any kind. No Matter if it is in person, or on the telephone, I just can't seem to break that "Brit" habit....
To most, they "love " it (no pun intended), to others well, maybe I shouldn't be calling the local Mayor, "love" at the end of our conversations ?
Oh well, I either gain a friend, or lose one, I'm trying :)

Expat mum said...

I love that bottle of Coke in the middle. Unless it was to go with someone's Bacardi I think it's definitely just a prop!

The Factory said...

Shut up Rodney you tart !

There's another splendid use of the word.

Snippety Gibbet said...

"You old tart." What a phenomenally wonderful thing to call your gal pal. I love it.

Kymical Reactions said...

Yay for Christmas Cracker Party Hats. It's almost my favorite part of Christmas, right behind the double duck dinner. (I always pass on the Christmas pudding... blech.)

Kymical Reactions said...

ooops - I meant to say favourite*

M said...

I am going to go out of my way to use "tart" or "tarted up" today because I haven't said it in such a long time.

Thanks for reminding me!

Sandi McBride said...

I love that one, I do! Crikey! lol
Sandi

Troy said...

Eh up chuck, you looked dressed to the nines.

Janet said...

I couldn't help but notice all the glasses on the table. That's one thing we Brits can do - drink. (Hic)

And like a Brit in Tennessee, I still call everyone "love," it's a northern thing. :-)

Amber said...

When I was younger I dated a British guy. He called me a TART one day, in joking, and I wasnt sure what it meant. His mom said it wasnt very nice and told him not to call me that again. They wouldnt tell me exactly what it meant, so i thought he was calling me something REALLY BAD. LOL I can deal with being called a floozy.