Beeing a stupid Swede...

[gunnarsilins]

...I just wonder what "Scuttlebutt" means?

 

[bob_tyler]

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]

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.

 

[Guest]

Wots a turnip-head?

 

[bob_tyler]

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

 

[BrianJ]

Yeah...its a bit like an Aussie caling an English gentleman a bloody Pommie Bas.....d
brianj

 

[gunnarsilins]

Hmm, okay, do you know the story behind why we Swedes are nick-named after this vegetable?

 

[bob_tyler]

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.

 

[Bergman]

I hope they know its "affectionate" before you use it.

There are some big lads over there.

 

[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

 

[graham]

Re names for brits.

The Germans call us "insel affen" which is Island monkeys.