So in answer to various comments on the last post, here are the answers:
Initials
The GOP = The Grand Old Party. Nickname for the Republicans.
The DMV = The Department for Motor Vehicles. Otherwise known as the seventh circle of hell.
NPR = National Public Radio. The nearest thing America has to Radio 4.
Foods
Sliders: mini hamburgers and buns. Slightly gross name, actually a great idea.
Matzoh: an unleavened Jewish cracker traditionally eaten at Passover.
Challah bread: another Jewish food, the most delicious brioche-type bread.
S'mores - melted marshmallow and chocolate sandwiched in between two Graham crackers (a popular American cracker, pronounced 'Gram'). You're supposed to eat them round the campfire.
Goldfish - a snack brand beloved of American kids. (When the boys were first offered Goldfish, I did a bit of a double take).
By the way did anyone spot the non-deliberate American spellings in the last post? I spelled neighbour as neighbor, and honoured as honored. The reason is that I'm writing for an American publication these days, and I'm having to auto correct my spelling all the time. So it's starting to come naturally.
My father has now returned to England, after a hot, sunny and very American week. We spent a night listening to the roar of the Atlantic out in Montauk at the Eastern tip of Long Island (pictured, above) then caught a ferry over to Mystic, Connecticut, where we didn't eat Mystic Pizza, much to the disappointment of my friend Middle England Mum, but instead gorged on lobster by the harbo(u)r. We then returned for an all-day party held by our neighbours, at which I received the first of many mosquito bites of the summer, followed by the traditional Memorial Day parade. Littleboy 1 announced that he liked the cheerleaders, with their short skirts and twirly batons, best. (I think my Dad may have agreed....)
Tonight I am off to watch Derek Jacobi in King Lear - injecting a little bit of British culture back into the proceedings. As The Doctor remarked, it seems a little incongruous to be driving in Brooklyn to watch a cast of British actors perform Shakespeare. But that's the beauty of New York.
14 comments:
Challah bread: another Jewish food, the most delicious brioche-type bread.
Challah is eaten on Shabbos dinner. The name has to do with the fact that - now, let me see if I recall this, I'm not Jewish - that some of the dough is taken away for a sacrifice. Except you don't do sacrifices without a Temple, and there IS no Temple anymore, so they just get rid of a chunk of dough before baking.
Challah bread as you're thinking is an Ashkenazi thing. There are more Ashkenazim than any other Jewish group (something like 80% of Jews today), but there are other groups. Still, people do generally think of their traditions as being the Jewish ones in general.
Anyway, it's really yummy, you're right, and makes decent French toast.
I'm finding I'm writing words with British spellings now. Funny how you just adapt without realizing it. I now say 'bin' instead of 'garbage can', 'flat' instead of 'apartment' and 'mobile' instead of 'cell phone.' And it all comes quite naturally. I'm officially British-ish.
I remember someone asking me if it was ok to offer my daughter some goldfish as a snack... it was a double-take moment!
The one I didn't know was the Gop - have seen that written so many times and never quite figured it out. I must be incredibly stubborn because I keep ignoring the speller (sp?) which probably means my blog posts are spelt terribled, or terribly spelled. Oops both wrong. Your mystic pizza adventure sounded cool, really have a soft spot for that movie.
Hi, NVG. SO glad u had a gd time wth yr dad. It's great showing family & friends round what is now 'home' isn't it? Makes u feel u belong & helps them imagine where you are! I'm sure your dad loved it, not just the twirling cheerleaders;o)
I did notice the spellings Alex! And it made me smile as I remember having to learn all the Americanisms and then unlearn them again here. I still talk about diapers though! when an American neighbour gave Max some goldfish a while ago, he was so happy as they were his favourite food in Minneapolis. Hope you had a great night at the theatre. Xx
Hope Mr Jacobi performed with applomb
Conuly - Thanks for the info. We love it in this house!
Cross the Pond - I've learned to adapt in order to be understood, that much is true. But there are some words I just can't say - eg. vacation rather than holiday!
Iota - and the first time it happened the person was amazed when the boys refused them!
ALW - I ignored the speller too until I was being paid to write in Americani(z)ed English!
PLIT _ yes, I love having visitors and it was wonderful for the boys too.
Circles - I don't say diapers! But then luckily I don't have to use them anymore....
NB - he certainly did, a tour de force....
Oooh how was Derek Jacobi (he's been slightly spoilt for me thanks to Night Garden....)
Glad that you had a good time with your dad and that he was treated to the cheerleaders :)
I get my spellings mixed all the time now...and the only place I know Derek Jacobi is from In the Night Garden....I'm guessing there is much more to him then? At the end of the show did he say "It's time to go" for good measure?
I had no idea that we don;t have goldfish crackers in England, shows how long I've been here! I smell a marketing opportunity for some food importer!
Love Mystic, Connecticut, used to stay at a little in there when I was on business trips to a large Pharma company HQ'd in the area!
Muddling - he was wonderful. I tried not to think of Iggle Piggle and Makka Pakka.
Tanya - aahhh sacrilege! He's only one of the best actors of his generation, Shakespearean and otherwise. You must get I Claudius out on DVD.
Geekymummy - yes, I can't really think of an equivalent in England.....
love the beach you stayed at. Cool pic
Interesting post. Makes me think about all the things I have learned since moving to the UK.
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