I happens as a Brit too. Recently I casually used the phrase “use your loaf” around some North Americans. I then had to explain that loaf = loaf of bread = head. They were like “why” and then I had to try to explain the concept of Cockney Rhyming Slang, and then there was a barrage of questions about the origin of Cockney Rhyming Slang and all the other examples. I don’t know, I’m not even Cockney!
When I worked in the states, my team bought me a superman flag so I could wave the S-flag whenever I was being sarcastic. Because otherwise they wouldn’t spot it.
I happens as a Brit too. Recently I casually used the phrase “use your loaf” around some North Americans. I then had to explain that loaf = loaf of bread = head. They were like “why” and then I had to try to explain the concept of Cockney Rhyming Slang, and then there was a barrage of questions about the origin of Cockney Rhyming Slang and all the other examples. I don’t know, I’m not even Cockney!
Wait until they learn the origin of “seppo”
What is the origin of seppo?
Seppo -> septic tank -> yank
Amazing. Love it.
When I worked in the states, my team bought me a superman flag so I could wave the S-flag whenever I was being sarcastic. Because otherwise they wouldn’t spot it.
Americans being amazed that non-Americans are not American is still a reliable trope.
I once used the phrase “put some mustard on their custard” and got some pretty strange looks
The only thing we do with a loaf is pinch it. And I don’t mean steal…
As for rhyming slang, just… how? Lots of things rhyme with so many other things and syllables apparently don’t even matter (see apples and pears).