Questions for Our Brothers and Sisters Across the Pond

[c.d.]

I have always enjoyed corresponding with you Brits. You have a good sense of humor and some great expressions. Hope the feeling is mutual with us Yanks. I started this thread because although we have a lot in common some things you do and say leave us scratching our heads. I am sure you feel the same. So here is a chance to gain a little more insight and help narrow the pond. If you have any questions, ask away. I'll start us off.

I readily admit that your beer is way superior to ours. I mean Bud Lite? C'mon. But what is with this drinking your beer at room temperature? Haven't you tried it ice cold and doesn't it taste a lot better that way?

c.d.

[c.d.]

What does "tosser" mean?

c.d.

[Bob Hinton]

It depends

I have always enjoyed corresponding with you Brits. You have a good sense of humor and some great expressions. Hope the feeling is mutual with us Yanks. I started this thread because although we have a lot in common some things you do and say leave us scratching our heads. I am sure you feel the same. So here is a chance to gain a little more insight and help narrow the pond. If you have any questions, ask away. I'll start us off.

I readily admit that your beer is way superior to ours. I mean Bud Lite? C'mon. But what is with this drinking your beer at room temperature? Haven't you tried it ice cold and doesn't it taste a lot better that way?

c.d.

Bitter tastes better at room temperature - lagers taste better cold.

[c.d.]

Have you seen American Football? Does it have any interest at all for you?

c.d.

[Bob Hinton]

Meaning

What does "tosser" mean?

c.d.

Tosser is the same as knobhead, but not as much as dickwad. I think you would be safe in saying it's not flattering!

[c.d.]

Tosser is the same as knobhead, but not as much as dickwad. I think you would be safe in saying it's not flattering!

Ah, it's the same as "knobhead". Who would have guessed?

c.d.

[cappuccina]

...Ah, but where does "scumbag" fall in the pecking order....is it above or below either "tosser" or "knobhead"??

[Errata]

ok, I'm going to say it, I thought tosser was a masturbatory reference. As in someone who engages in the practice an abnormal amount, and therefor is a creepy loser type. I don't know why my brain went there, but it did. Mea Culpa.

[belinda]

What's the difference between a twit and a twat? One letter is not an answer

You English Persons seems to be using twat a lot lately it's not in the vernacular here yet. Here being Australia

[c.d.]

Hi Belinda,

Here in the U.S. twit means fool. Twat is a vulgar reference to female genitals.

c.d.

[Sister Hyde]

Have you seen American Football? Does it have any interest at all for you?

c.d.

WHO DAT WHO DAT!!!!

[Limehouse]

ok, I'm going to say it, I thought tosser was a masturbatory reference. As in someone who engages in the practice an abnormal amount, and therefor is a creepy loser type. I don't know why my brain went there, but it did. Mea Culpa.

You are correct. A tosser is one of those.

[Limehouse]

Hi Belinda,

Here in the U.S. twit means fool. Twat is a vulgar reference to female genitals.

c.d.

Same in the UK.

[Red Zeppelin]

I readily admit that your beer is way superior to ours. I mean Bud Lite? C'mon. But what is with this drinking your beer at room temperature? Haven't you tried it ice cold and doesn't it taste a lot better that way?

As Bob says, we DO drink 'lager' (Bud etc) ice cold, same as you do. Lager has to be drunk cold because of the gas in it and yes it does taste better cold. If you go into any English pub the lager is always served cold. I don't know anyone in England who likes 'lager' served at room temperature unless it can't be helped...i.e if you are on a picnic etc where beggars can't be choosers.

'Ale' on the other hand doesn't have to be ice cold. 'Real Ale' has far less gas/fizz in it than 'lager' and ales have much more flavour. If you drink 'ale' ice cold then you'll lose the taste and will ruin it. Not all are served at room temperature though. Some 'ales' are served and drank cool or cold but not ice cold. I was at a real ale festival on Saturday and seeing as it was a warm sunny day they tried to keep the ale as cool as possible. If it was 'room temperature' it would have been warm. Contrary to the myth we don't drink 'warm' beer. The ale I had on Saturday was 'cool' in temperature.

Think of red wine. Do you drink that ice cold? No, you drink it at room temperature. Same with many fine ales.

[Limehouse]

Bitter tastes better at room temperature - lagers taste better cold.

I totally agree.

Bitter and similar beers need to be at room temperature to bring out the richness of the hops. These beers should taste full-bodied and rich.

Larger should sting the back of the throat.