Beeing a stupid Swede...

B

bob_tyler

Guest
scuttlebutt, n. [from scuttled butt, a butt or cask on shipboard with fresh drinking water]

a drinking fountain on shipboard (slang)

rumor or gossip (slang)


PS There's nothing stupid about Swedes, only turnip-heads!
 

PhilipStapleton

New member
Joined
10 Jul 2001
Messages
192
Location
Berkshire
www.radartutor.com
Well....
By the scuttle (= a hole to let in air on lower decks of a sailing ship) there was a butt (=cask) of water where the crew could get a drink - and while they were there, chat, plot and swap rumours- the modern equivalent of the office coffee machine.
 
B

bob_tyler

Guest
Turnip-Head is an affectionate English nickname for a Swede, a person not the root vegetable.
 
B

bob_tyler

Guest
It's only a jokey nickname. Both swedes and turnips are root vegetables. I picked up the expression which was being used at my many visits to the Gothenburg boat show and the floating show at Langedrag many years ago. I can assure you that it is a very friendly and affectionate nickname.
 
G

Guest

Guest
Hi,

We brits aren't that polite sometimes. We have affectionate - or sometimes not - nicknames for other races. Frogs or froggies, sausage eaters, turnip heads or cloggies. What do other races and peoples call us? The french call us rostbeef - the wizards of oz call us pomms or pommie bar stewards. Who else would like a go?

Fred
 
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