The Holiday (2006)

I just saw this film Friday night. It was funny and adorably sweet

Summary

-Amanda (Cameron Diaz) is a film editor who just left a bad relationship. Iris (Kate Winslet) is a newspaper journalist who is heartbroken when the man she loves gets engaged to another woman. To give themselves a break from love during the Christmas holidays, they decide to exchange houses, with love managing to find them none the less

Cast

-Cameron Diaz: Amanda

-Kate Winslet: Iris

-Jude Law: Graham

-Jack Black: Miles

-Eli Wallach: Arthur Abbott

-Edward Burns: Ethan

-Rufus Sewell: Jasper Bloom

-Miffy Englefield: Sophie

-Emma Pritchard: Olivia

-Sarah Parish: Hannah

-Shannyn Sossamon: Maggie

-Bill Macy: Ernie

-Shelley Berman: Norman

-Kathryn Hahn: Bristol

-John Krasinski: Ben

-Alex O'Loughlin: Kissing Couple

-Odette Yustman: Kissing Couple

Did You Know?

-This film was written with the intention of having Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz and Jack Black star together

-The sound studio that Miles (Jack Black) works in, complete with the keyboard, monitors, sound modules and other technology was copied, bit by bit, from the studio in which composer Hans Zimmer works

-The website that Iris and Amanda use to exchange houses is an actual site. It's called homeexchange.com

-The house that was used for Arthur Abbott's house once belonged to comedic actress Phyllis Diller

-After this movie came out, the popularity of "house exchanging" became so popular that police officers in England had to issue various warnings about swapping homes with strangers due to the increased risk of fraud, murders and other crimes

-When Arthur (Eli Wallach) is talking to Iris, he references a "Meet Cute". This was used in the 1938 film Bluebeard's Eighth Wife. Claudette Colbert and Gary Cooper meet while out shopping. He buys the bottom part and she buys the top part of the same pair of pajamas

-Nancy Myers wrote the role of Miles with Jack Black in mind after seeing him in the 2003 film School of Rock

-The small cottage Iris (Kate Winslet) lives in is contrasted to the large L.A. home Amanda (Cameron Diaz) lives in. In reality, thanks in part to the rising property prices in the UK, a cottage in a quiet country village such as Iris' house would be worth, easily, £1 million, not far off of the $2 million price tag

-Cameron Diaz said, because of the massive amount of running she did, that this was her most physical film

-While on a date with Arthur, he asks Iris why a beautiful girl like her is out to dinner with an "old cocker" like him. This is a Yiddish phrase for "old man"

-The movie Iris is watching in Amanda's house is the 1940 film His Girl Friday

-When Miles comes to Amanda's house and hears what sounds like a party, Iris tells him that Amanda's next door neighbor Arthur and his friends are having a little Hanukkah party. The four men sitting at her table (Jack Black, Eli Wallach, Shelley Berman and Bill Macy) are all of Jewish descent

-While on the British Airways flight to England, Amanda has a stack of books on the table next to her. They are The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, Atonement by Ian McEwan, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling, Bob Dylan Chronicles by Bob Dylan, The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen, Runaway by Alice Munro, The Wisdom of Forgiveness: Intimate Journeys and Conversations by The Dalai Lama and Chan Victor

-While Iris is looking over the movies Amanda has, she comes across a film from 2001 called Enigma. Ironically, Kate Winslet starred in that film

-In real life, Jude Law, who plays Graham, has a daughter named Iris. In this film, his sister's name is Iris (Kate Winslet)

-Jude Law and Kate Winslet appeared in at least two other films together: 2006's All the King's Men and 2011's Contagion

-The car Cameron Diaz drives while in England is a 2006 Mini Cooper. While in Los Angeles, the car Kate Winslet drives is a Lexus RX 400h. Graham (Jude Law) drives a 2006 Range Rover. Jack Black drives a convertible Audi A4

-While on the flight to England, one of the books Amanda brings is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. Ironically, years later, Jude Law would appear in a 2018 film considered a prequel to the Harry Potter series, called Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. In that film, he plays Albus Dumbledore

99 Christmas Songs to Include on Your Playlist

It's that time of year again. The Christmas holidays. Where we gather around friends and family and exchange gifts, good memories, good food and more. To make it even more festive, there is usually a Christmas-related playlist playing somewhere. According to MSN.com writer Martha Sorren, here are 99 songs that you can include in your play list. You don't have to add all of them or any of them; they are simply examples of Christmas-related songs. And there are even covers of these songs by artists you would never expect to hear

I'm adding a few I found on the local library music download site that I like. I'll add them on to the appropriate category. They're not part of the site from the link provided above, but I feel like they would be easily likeable

Christmas classics

-These songs are usually done by classic artists, from the 1940s-1960s. They are the official marker of the Christmas holidays

"The Christmas Song" - Nat King Cole

"It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" - Andy Williams

"Happy Holidays" - Andy Williams

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" - Judy Garland, Meet Me in St. Louis

"I'll Be Home for Christmas" - Bing Crosby

"Sleigh Ride" - The Ronettes

"White Christmas" - Bing Crosby

"A Holly Jolly Christmas" - Burl Ives

Christmas Party

-Your holiday celebrations will have an extra dash of festive with these upbeat Christmas songs

"Feliz Navidad" - Jose Feliciano

"Run Run Rudolph" - Chuck Berry

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" - Brenda Lee

"Jingle Bell Rock" - Bobby Helms

"Little Saint Nick" - The Beach Boys"

"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" - Bruce Springsteen

"Christmas All Over Again" - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" - U2

"Step Into Christmas" - Elton John

"Wonderful Christmastime" - Paul McCartney

"What Christmas Means to Me" - Stevie Wonder

Caroling

-A tradition for some is go and gather a group of your friends and go door to door, entertaining the locals with beautiful holiday songs being sung

"Silent Night" - The Carpenters

"O Christmas Tree" - Aretha Franklin

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" - Pentatonix

"Deck the Halls" - Nat King Cole

"Joy to the World" - Whitney Houston

"Hark the Herald Angels Sing" - Amy Grant

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas" - John Denver and The Muppets

"Jingle Bells" - Ella Fitzgerald

"O Holy Night" - Carrie Underwood

Karaoke

-Some people do karaoke at Christmas parties. Here are some of the popular choices to sing

"All I Want for Christmas is You" - Mariah Carey

"Christmas in Hollis" - Run D.M.C.

"The Little Drummer Boy" - Bing Crosby

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" - Frank Sinatra

"Baby, It's Cold Outside" - Marilyn Maxwell and Dean Martin

"Last Christmas" - Wham!

"Santa Baby" - Eartha Kitt

"I'll Be Home" - Meghan Trainor

"Happy Xmas (War is Over)" - John Lennon

Kid friendly

-There's nothing that warms the heart more or causes more laughs than seeing kids at Christmas. The reactions to seeing their gifts can either warm the heart or cause you to laugh so hard you're crying. Here are some kid-friendly songs that are appropriate for all ages

"Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" - Burl Ives

"Dominick the Donkey (The Italian Christmas Donkey)" - Lou Monte

"Here Comes Santa Claus" - Gene Autry

"The Chipmunk Song" - Alvin & The Chipmunks

"Frosty the Snowman" - Perry Como

"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" - Thurl Ravenscroft

"The Twelve Days of Christmas" - Ray Conniff

"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - The Jackson 5

"All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth" - Alvin & The Chipmunks

"I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" - Gayla Peevey

"Silver Bells" - Alvin & The Chipmunks

"Blue Christmas" - Porky Pig (If you're familiar with the Looney Tunes cartoons, and know who Porky Pig is, you'll know he stutters. And listening to him sing the classic "Blue Christmas" is hysterical. What makes it funnier is hearing the people in the background laughing. I'm usually crying from laughing so hard when I listen to it)

Updated Christmas

-The classic songs we know and love have been covered by other artists. Sometimes the covers are better than the original. Sometimes the originals are better than the covers. It's up to you to decide which version you like best. And if your local library has a music download site through them, that's a great way of finding versions of the Christmas songs you love, done by other artists

"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" - Michael Buble

"We Need a Little Christmas" - Glee Cast

"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" - Tyler, The Creator

"Mary, Did You Know?" - Pentatonix

"Please Come Home for Christmas" - The Eagles

"O Holy Night" - Josh Groban

"Baby, It's Cold Outside" - Leon Redbone and Zooey Deschanel

"All I Want for Christmas is You" - Dolly Parton

"Happy Xmas (War is Over)" - Miley Cyrus and Mark Ronson

"Grown-Up Christmas List" - Barbara Streisand

"What Christmas Means to Me" - John Legend

"O Holy Night" - Rob Halford

"Mary, Did You Know?" - Lionheart

"Last Christmas" - Glee Cast

"Mele Kalikimaka" - Josh Tatofi (I think this is especially beautiful, given that it's played on an ukelele, a popular instrument in Hawaii and the song is Hawaiian)

"Last Christmas" - Taylor Swift

Christmas Pop

-There are pop songs centered around the holidays. Their light, upbeat mood will have you dancing in no time

"Santa Tell Me" - Ariana Grande

"Mistletoe" - Justin Bieber

"Santa Claus Lane" - Hilary Duff

"Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" - N*Sync

"My Only Wish (This Year)" - Britney Spears

"Christmas Tree Farm" - Taylor Swift

"You Make It Feel Like Christmas" - Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton

"Candy Cane Lane" - Sia

"A Nonsense Christmas" - Sabrina Carpenter

"Underneath the Tree" - Kelly Clarkson

"My Kind of Present" - Meghan Trainor

Instrumental

-Some prefer the classical music touch to the holidays

"Charlie Brown Christmas Album" - Vince Guaraldi Trio (This is also known as the Charlie Brown theme song)

"Christmas Canon" - Trans-Siberian Orchestra

"Somewhere in My Memory" - John Williams, Home Alone soundtrack

"Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker: March" - Berlin Philharmonic and Sir Simon Rattle

"Stille Nacht (Silent Night)" - Manheim Steamroller

"Gumption" - Hans Zimmer, The Holiday soundtrack

"Cry" - Hans Zimmer, The Holiday soundtrack

"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" - Michael Chertock

"Main Title" - John Debney, Elf soundtrack

"Carol of the Bells" - The Tabernacle Choir

"Joy to the World" - Boston Pops Orchestra and John Williams

Winter

-Some people like the winter season because of Christmas and all the decorations for the holidays. Some people don't like winter because it means cold weather, snow, icy roads and so on

"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" - Dean Martin

"Winter Wonderland" - Bing Crosby

"Let It Go" - Idina Menzel

"White Winter Hymnal" - Fleet Foxes

"Evermore" - Taylor Swift and Bon Iver

"California Dreamin'" - The Mamas and the Papas

"Winter Song" - Sarah Bareilles and Ingrid Masterson

"Winter Song" - The Head and the Heart

"Winter Time" - Steven Miller

New Christmas Songs

-While the classics will never go out of style, there are some that debuted in 2024 that are starting to pick up some followers

"Do They Know It's Christmas?" - Band Aid (40th Anniversary Edition)

"Officially Christmas" - Dan + Shay

"Holiday Road" - Kesha

"You for Christmas" - Kelly Clarkson

"Santa for Someone" - Jennifer Hudson

"Wrap Me Up" - Jimmy Fallon and Meghan Trainor

"Glow" - Little Big Town

"Blue Christmas" - Jeff Goldblum and Veronica Swift

"Maybe This Christmas" - The Philly Specials, Jason Kelce and Stevie Nicks

Jude Law

He is a very good actor and very handsome too

Birth name: David Jude Law

DOB: 12/29/1972

Where: Lewisham, London, England

Height: 5'10 1/4''

Spouse

-Sadie Frost: 9/2/1997-10/29/2003 (divorced, 3 children)

-Phillippa Coan: 4/30/2019-present, 2 kids

Children

Rudy Indiana Otis Law

Sophia Burke Law

Ada Law

Rafferty Law

Iris Law

Rudy Law

Trademark

-Bold green eyes

-Often playing the ideal man (The Talented Mr. Ripley, Gattaca, A.I.: Artificial Intelligence)

-His smooth voice

Trivia

-When he joined N.Y.M.T., he was given the wrong dormitory. It was because someone thought he was a girl because of his name. While he never told anyone, someone found out and moved him

-On an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, he was asked where his name came from. He replied he was named after the song "Hey Jude" by The Beatles

-On his left forearm is a tattoo of lyrics from The Beatles song "Sexy Sadie." They are "You came along to turn on everyone Sexy Sadie." This represents his previous wife Sadie Frost

-At age 17, he dropped out of school to star in the daytime soap opera Families from 1990

-While filming the murder scene in the 1999 film The Talented Mr. Ripley, he broke a rib after falling backwards

-For his role in the 2013 film Don Hemingway, he drank 10 Coca Cola drinks a day to gain the proper amount of weight

-He's a strong supporter of the Tottenham Hotspurs Football Club in London

Yesterday (2019)

This film is a sort of alternate reality-type film involving The Beatles.

Summary

-In an alternate reality where The Beatles never existed, a struggling musician wakes up one day to realize that he's the only one who remembers The Fab Four

Cast

-Himesh Patel: Jack Malik

-Lily James: Ellie Appleton

-Sophia Di Martino: Carol

-Ellise Chappell: Lucy

-Meera Syal: Sheila Malik

-Harry Michell: Nick

-Vincent Franklin: Brian

-Joel Fry: Rocky

-Sanjeev Bhaskar: Jed Malik

Did You Know?

-Himesh Patel did all of his own singing and guitar playing

-The only input from the surviving members of The Beatles was approving use of their music

-One early idea was the color purple not existing anywhere. This is a reference to legendary rock band Deep Purple. In this concept, the band would have been called Deep Orange. The idea was scrapped because it would have been too much work to keep people from wearing anything purple

-On the flight to Liverpool from Los Angeles, the camera stops on the front of the airport. The name reads "Liverpool International Airport". In real life, the name of the airport in Liverpool reads "Liverpool John Lennon Airport"

-Initially, Sir Paul McCartney thought this film was a dumb idea until he heard that Danny Boyle was directing it. Instead of accepting an invitation to see it, he went into a movie theater to see it while he was on vacation with his wife. He said "We were on vacation in The Hamptons in the summer and there it was, so we got two tickets and walked in when the cinema went dark. Only a couple of people saw us. We were in the back row, giggling away, especially at all the mentions of me. A couple of people in front of us spotted us, but everyone else was watching the film. We loved it."

-Sanjeev Bhaskar and Meera Syal, who play Jack's parents Jed and Sheila, have been married since 2005

-Similar to what was done in the film Across the Universe, where characters were named in reference to Beatles songs, the same concept was done here. Characters in this film were named in reference to Beatles songs. Rocky, who is the temporary road manager, is named after "Rocky Raccoon". Ellie, Jack's girlfriend, is named after "Eleanor Rigby". This, ironically, is the one song Jack cannot remember or has trouble remembering. Ellie's second name is Appleton, a reference to the Apple Records founded by The Beatles. Ellie's roommate is Lucy, a reference to "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds".

-In the scenes leading up to the blackout, the eerie music is the crescendo from "A Day in the Life" is playing. It's played later on the film

-The debut concert Jack performs at on the roof of the Pier Hotel is a nod to the famous rooftop concert The Beatles performed at during Let It Be (1970)

-The concert scene was filmed in Gorleston, a beach town in Norfolk. Local residents were brought in to act as extra for the crowd

-While out and about in Liverpool, Jack sees a headstone for Eleanor Rigby. This was a real grave in the Woolton church graveyard. Despite never being confirmed as inspiration for the song of the same name, John Lennon worked at the church, learning to ring bells and would have spent considerable time playing in the graveyard. But the song was written by Paul McCartney

-Ed Sheeran, who appears as himself in this film, stated The Beatles are the inspiration for his songs

-When Jack exits the airport, he is seen pursued by screaming girls. This is a nod to the 1964 film A Hard Day's Night

-Gavin, who owns the music studio, has the iconic Beatles haircut

-Jack was told that he is unique as a singer-songwriter. He replies by mentioning various famous singer-songwriters. While it can be that without The Beatles influence, none of them would have been as successful, James Taylor is one exception. His break into success came in 1968 when Peter Asher, one half of the group Peter and Gordon and the brother of Paul McCartney's one time fiancee Jane Asher, signed Taylor to Apple Records

-The way the movie's title is written is identical to the way that The Beatles wrote their name, even down to the dropped T. The poster for the film shows Jack crossing the zebra crossing (cross walk to those who live in the US), similar to the front of The Beatles Abbey Road album

-In the closing credits, any cast member with a letter B in their names, the B is enlarged

-This film takes place in Lowestoft, in Suffolk. The Beatles played at the Royal Hotel there in 1963

-While looking through his collection of records, Jack comes across an album by David Bowie. David Bowie's first number one song in the US was "Fame". He co-wrote this with John Lennon. The album it was from was Young Americans. It features a cover of The Beatles song "Across the Universe"

-Because of this movie, production on the final installment of the James Bond series, 2021's No Time to Die, was delayed

-There was a scene filmed in the Birkenhead Tunnel. This location was used in various other films as well, including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt. I (2010), Fast & Furious 6 (2013), Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) and Bulletproof (2018)

-Strangely enough, one of the video assistants for additional photography is named George Harrison, who shares a name with one part of the famous Fab Four

-In one scene towards the end of the film, Jack and his family are seen riding a spiral slide called a Helter-Skelter, which is popular at many British fairs and also the name of a Beatles song

-While in L.A., Jack's agent hears Jack tell her he needs to go to Liverpool for a few days for inspiration. She asks him what does Liverpool have that L.A. does not. He states Mo Sallah as one. Mo Sallah is an Egyptian soccer player (footballer) who plays for the Liverpool-based football team Liverpool FC

Sir Roger Moore

He was one of the popular James Bond actors, since he had almost as many films in the James Bond series as Sean Connery did.

And, while Sean Connery will be the favorite for most people, I actually prefer Roger Moore. I thought he was a very good James Bond. He had a strong gentleman-like air about him. Not only that, he was somewhat sarcastic in some parts, which was funny. While he's not good looking like Daniel Craig, Roger Moore does not look like your typical action movie stunt person and I think that's why I like him as James Bond. He's certainly my favorite James Bond actor

Birth name: Roger George Moore

DOB: 10/14/1927

Where: Stockwell, London, England

DOD: 5/23/2017

Where: Crans-Montana, Valais, Switzerland

Height: 6'1 1/4''

Spouse

-Christina Tholstrup: 3/10/2002-5/23/2017 (his death)

-Luisa Mattioli: 4/11/1969-4/29/1996 (divorced, 3 kids)

-Dorothy Squires: 7/6/1953-11/25/1968 (divorced)

-Doorn Van Steyn: 12/9/1946-3/1/1953 (divorced)

Children: 

-Christian Moore

-Deborah Moore

-Geoffrey Moore

Trademark

-Habit of raising eyebrows

-Deep voice

-Sophisticated, refined English accent

-Charming personality

-Self-deprecating wit

-Tinted glasses with gold frames, which he started wearing later on

Trivia

-His father George was a policeman

-While he said he would like to play a villain in a James Bond movie starring Daniel Craig, but accepted the fact it would never happen

-He was good friends with Lois Maxwell, who played Miss Moneypenny. They met in the mid 1940s, when they were both in the same class of 1944 at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts

-When 1973's Live and Let Die was filmed, at 45 Roger Moore was the oldest actor to make a debut as James Bond

-He remained good friends with director Albert Broccoli until Broccoli's death

-He announced his retirement from the role of 007 on 12/3/1985. He felt he was getting too old by that point and was also quoted as saying that he felt embarrassment at performing love scenes with actresses, who although were beautiful, were young enough to be his daughters. In a 1988 interview with This Morning, he felt too old for his second James Bond film, 1974's The Man with the Golden Gun

-When he appeared on the 1962 television program The Saint, he never auditioned for the role of Simon Templar

-Out of the seven James Bond films he's starred in, he lists 1985's A View to Kill as his least favorite while 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me as his top favorite

-Unlike the other actors who played James Bond, such as Timothy Dalton, George Lazenby, Sean Connery and Daniel Craig, Roger Moore was open and honest about not performing his own stunts

-Roger Moore worked with Military Intelligence during his time in National Service

-Both father and daughter have acted in the same series of films. He played James Bond while his daughter Deborah Moore played an air hostess in the 2002 film Die Another Day

-In any of the seven James Bond films Moore appeared in, doubles were used in scenes showing him running, since Moore felt he looked awkward when running

-In the early 1950s, he was a struggling actor who had gotten a job driving trucks. This knowledge and skill set would come in handy on the set of 1985's A View to A Kill, when he steals a fire truck and a box truck to drive. He impressed the crew on set with his truck driving skills

-When people accused him of not looking tough enough to play the legendary British super spy James Bond, he once beat up American actor Lee Marvin, who was usually known to make a scene or two. While filming 1976's Shout at the Devil, the two had gotten into a fist fight. Marvin stated "The guy is built like granite. Nobody will ever underestimate him again."

-The popular chat app Skype was invented by his stepdaughter's boyfriend Janus Friis

-He wanted 1981's For Your Eyes Only to be his last Bond film, since he was nearing the age of 54

-As a way of paying tribute to Sir Roger Moore, two of the James Bond films he starred in, 1981's For Your Eyes Only and 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me, were re-released on select dates weeks after he had passed. 50% of the proceeds were donated to UNICEF, a charity that was near and dear to Moore, since he was a Goodwill Ambassador for them

-He was friends with Boris Sagal, father of Katey Sagal. He admitted that he enjoyed watching the television program she was on, Married...With Children

-From working on the James Bond films, he has a number of favorite things. His favorite gadget was the magnetic watch from 1973's Live and Let Die. His favorite villain was Francisco Scaramanga (Christopher Lee) from 1974's The Man with the Golden Gun. His favorite Bond girl actress was Barbara Bach as Anya Amasova from 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me. His favorite henchman was Richard Kiel as Jaws from 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me and 1979's Moonraker. Out of all the films, he stated 1985's A View to Kill as his least favorite of the James Bond series

-He once held a conference in Sweden on the topic of child abuse. He mentioned that, he too, was a victim of child abuse. He stated that as a child, he was molested. He waited until the age of 16 to tell his mother because he felt "ashamed"

-Highly fluent in Italian, since wife Luisa Mattioli was an Italian citizen

-Despite performing in roles that required the use of firearms, Moore actually suffered from hoplophobia, or fear of firearms. He also stated his strongly disliked blood sports or heavy violence

-While acting, he hated doing scenes involving water because he hated being wet. He had to perform a scene in water for 1979's Moonraker, in the Mayan pyramid

-What inspired him to take on the role of James Bond was asking his son who he preferred - James Bond or his dad. His son replied "Don't be silly Daddy, James Bond of course."

-Private Eye, a humorous British magazine, paid tribute to Sir Roger Moore when he passed with a warm, humorous cartoon. It showed a figure in a dinner suit with a halo around the head appearing at the gates of heaven and St. Peter stating "We've been expecting you Mr. Moore"

-The fear of firearms that Moore was known for came from an incident in childhood when his brother shot him in the leg with an air rifle by accident when he was 14

-His fear of firearms ruined endless amounts of 007 scenes because he hated them so much

-In the 1960s, his hair had begun thinning, so he had taken to wearing a small hair piece in the back of his head

-Mike Reid, who appeared on the 1985 television program EastEnders, was the stunt double for underwater scenes on The Saint. He was fired after cracking jokes at Roger's thinning hair

-Out of all of the actors to play James Bond, Roger Moore was the first English actor to play this role. The second one would be Daniel Craig

-When a bout of pneumonia had hit him in 2013, he had to learn to walk again

-During the making of 1973's Live and Let Die, he had to be hospitalized for kidney stones, a condition he suffered from for a long time

-In the 1981 film Victory, he was offered the role Michael Caine would eventually play

25 British Phrases to Learn Prior to Going to the UK

It's an obvious fact that the way people in Britain speak is slightly different than the way those in the US speak. There's British English and US English. According to MSN.com writer Victoria Omololu, there are 25 British phrases she believes you need to know prior to planning a trip "across the pond".

A lot of the words and phrases will be similar to a previous post. I also had to remove #5 only because I don't want to risk trouble using a possible swear word. So it comes out to 24 instead of 25. Better to not take chances

1. Cheers

-Used when saying "goodbye", toasting to something or "thank you." It's a term often heard in the UK. You can say it when raising a glass down at the pub, when someone pays for something or when someone holds the door for you

2. Fancy a cuppa?

-Translating into "would you like a cup of tea?", tea is a big part of the culture of Britain. Asking this interesting question is a good way to be social. You might hear this from a variety of people, from people at work to someone you just met. This is a friendly way of showing that someone wants to chat and spend time with you

3. Knackered

-This means you are extremely tired or exhausted. It can be after a long night out or a hard day at work. It's a casual expression of fatigue and exhaustion

4. Quid

-This is a reference to the money used in England. This is the slang term for the British pond sterling. One quid equals one pound. Instead of saying "it costs ten pounds", someone might say "it costs ten quid". This kind of information is helpful when dealing with money or prices in England

5. Gobsmacked

-When someone is incredibly surprised or shocked, they are gobsmacked. It's a unique way of expressing astonishment at something, especially when the results are unexpected

6. Chuffed

-It means you're happy about something. It's a positive term to express absolute happiness or pride. It is often used to express excitement or share good news

7. Slag off

-When you criticize someone / something, or speak badly about someone / something, you are "slagging off". This is a negative way of speaking. Used in informal settings, this is how you know someone / something is being criticized

8. Dodgy

-This is a term used to describe something that is not right, suspicious, potentially dangerous. It would be a common occurrence to describe a neighborhood as "dodgy" if it was unsafe. It can also mean things that are dishonest and poor quality

9. Gutted

-When you're devastated with the outcome of something, you are gutted. It's deep disappointment and or sadness. This implies real emotional impact, a way of saying that it's more than just a little sadness or disappointment

10. Leg it

-When you run away quickly or make a quick escape, you "leg it". This is a phrase used to describe the need to make a quick getaway, fleeing or leaving in a hurry

11. Knees up

-Meaning a lively party or celebration. It suggests there is a fun, festive mood in the air, when people are dancing and having an all around good time

12. Blimey

-This is a word to show surprise or astonishment. It's the British equivalent of "oh my goodness" or "wow." This term adds a bit of extra surprise into the conversation and it's a uniquely British way of showing shock, awe, amazement in unexpected situations

13. Peckish

-When someone says they are slightly hungry, they might say they're peckish. It's a gentler, kinder way of expressing that you're starving. This term is best used to describe a time when you would like to eat without sounding too hungry or demanding to eat now

14. Bob's your uncle

-This is the British equivalent of "Well, there you go", "here you go", "Presto." It's a way of saying something is simple and is used at the end of a sentence. It's a fun, quirky way of indicating that something is easy, straightforward and able to be accomplished

15. Cheeky

-This term describes something or someone who is playfully mischievous, rude or irreverent, but it comes off as charming or amusing. A boy who's always joking around would be a "cheeky lad." It can also be used for actions. Such as "I'm going for a cheeky pint", which means you are having a drink when it's probably best if you don't do it. Overally, this word adds a bit of playfulness to a conversation

16. Skint

-Absolutely flat broke, without money. When you are skint, you are flat broke with no money or lack of money. It's a casual way of expressing that someone is suffering financial woes. It's a less formal way of saying you're hurting financially

17. Faff

-When you waste time doing unproductive things or just be inefficient, you are "faffing about." It can be used when someone is procrastinating or taking too long to do something. This can best be used to describe moments when you are others are not being as efficient as you should

18. Minging

-This term can describe something that is disgusting, unattractive or unpleasant. It can include smells, food, appearances. It is a strong way of expressing disgust or distaste and is used in casual conversations

19. Chinway

-An informal chat or conversation is a "chinway". Similar to a "chinwag", but written as one word. This term refers to a casual conversation with an overall enjoyable nature. It's a warm, friendly way of suggesting to spend time with people

20. Naff

-Tacky, unfashionable, poor quality. It's a gentle way of saying that something is uncool without being harsh. It shows disapproval or distaste without being offensive. It's used when talking about style or taste in something

21. Gobby

-Talkative. When someone is very talkative, they are "gobby", because "gob" is a slang term for the mouth. When someone is "gobby", they are talkative, in a loud or rude way. It's a term used to describe a person who dominates the conversation or speaks with out thinking, also known as speaking with out a filter. It's not a compliment, so use it wisely

22. Snog

-Kissing. In England, when two people kiss, they are snogging. It's a playful term for kissing. It's used in casual conversations amongst friends

23. Narked

-Annoyed, irritated. When someone is "narked", they are annoyed or irritated. It expresses frustration or anger without the use of strong, colorful language. This can describe every day moments of frustration or anger without sounding too aggressive

24. Chuffed to bits

-Extremely pleased, extremely delighted. Similar to the term "chuffed", when someone is "chuffed to bits", they are extremely pleased, delighted, happy. This can be used to express happiness over good news. It suggests strong joy and is a warm, friendly way to share good news or excitement

60 Phrases Used in Britain That Will Confuse Other People Pt. II

It's an obvious fact that there are two types of English: US English and British English. Both have the same words, but with different meanings. There are also phrases only used in England that are not used in the US. The same goes for the other way around. Phrases used in the US that are not used in England. According to MSN.com writer Erin McDowell, here are 60 British phrases that would confuse other people.

Looking at some of these phrases, I know what they mean. And they make me laugh. My personal favorite is "a few sandwiches short of a picnic". I tend to use variations of that sometimes. Like "a few crayons short of a box" or "a few bricks shy of a load". I grew up watching British television programs like Are You Being Served?, The Young Ones, Keeping Up Appearances. So I do have somewhat of a good knowledge of British English. And two of my current favorite programs on television are from "across the pond", Law & Order UK and Top Gear UK. I have to say Top Gear UK so as to not be confused with Top Gear US. Most would find it odd that I know what most of these mean. But, then again, growing up watching British television will certainly educate you in how those who are from England speak

31. Someone is who enthusiastic, lively or energetic is described as being "full of beans"

-Despite this phrase being a possible reference to coffee beans, it's often used to describe someone who is full of life. "Goodness, you're full of beans this morning!"

32. "Gaff" is an informal word used to describe home

-In the 18th century, this term was used to describe a music hall or theater. "What are you up to this weekend? We've got a party at our gaff, if you fancy it?"

33. "Geezer" is a London-based term meaning "man", and could used to describe someone who is "suave" or "dapper" in appearance.

-Men who come from East London are often referred to as "geezers". This term roughly translates in to "man", "dude", "guy". This term is thought to have originated in the 15th century from the term guiser, which means "well dressed". "That guy's got such swagger - he's a proper geezer!"

-The bass player from metal band Black Sabbath, Terence "Geezer" Butler, earned his unique moniker after using the term so much from one of his brothers, who served in the military with guys from London

34. When you're extremely upset or devastated, you are "gutted"

-If you're favorite sports team lost, you'd be "gutted". If you favorite musician went on tour and you couldn't go, you'd be "gutted". "I was absolutely gutted."

35. "Innit" is a shortened way of saying "Isn't it". It's most frequently used amongst teens and younger adults

-This is just a way of agreeing with something said by someone. "It's really cold today." "Innit."

36. A short nap or sleep is "kip"

-When someone wants to go to sleep or take a nap, they want to "kip". "What a long day. When we get home, I'm going to take a quick kip."

37. When you "leg it", it means you want a quick escape, make a run for it or run away. You can also use "pull a runner"

-It's most often used in situations where you want to make a quick escape. "That's when all of the lights came on, and so we legged it!"

38. When showing irritation or annoyance, you are "miffed"

-Possibly originating from the German word "muffen", meaning "to sulk". "I was a bit miffed, I can't lie."

39. "Mint" is used to describe something of the highest quality

-Deriving from "mint condition", it's used to describe something that is in absolute pristine condition. "Those shoes are mint!"

40. "Mortal" is used to describe someone who is heavily under the influence of drink or intoxicated with a sloppy manner

-The 2011 reality TV show Geordie Shore popularized this term. There are also other terms for intoxicated, including "legless", "paralytic". "Did you see Scott last night? He was mortal."

41. When someone has been made to look a fool, they are a "mug"

-"Mug" possibly originated in London. It refers to a stupid, often gullible person who can be easily taken advantage of. "You signed that contract? You're such a mug."

42. Similarly, "mug off" is to make a fool of someone, by deception or cheating on them

-Made popular by the British reality television program Love Island. "He's going on a date with Amber? I feel so mugged off right now." "You're mugging me off."

43. When you steal something, you "nick" it

-In England, when you steal something, you "nick" it. This term can also refer to jail or prison, as in "you're going to the nick". "Did you just nick that?" "Don't get caught, or you'll end up in the Nick!"

44. "On the pull" refers to someone who is going out for the night, with the intention of attracting someone

-"Pull" can also mean "you've been kissed." "You look nice. Are you going on the pull?"

45. When you say "pants", it means garbage, trash or rubbish

-This is most often used to describe something that is less than satisfactory. It can be used in place of "blows", "reeks", "stinks", etc. "That is pants."

46. "Pea souper" is horribly thick fog, with a yellow or black coloring, due to air pollution

-The first time this phrase or term was said to have be was in the year 1200 c.e. when thick, choking smog first covered London. It was caused by heavy burning of fossil fuels by people. The fogs were nicknamed "pea soupers" because of their density and color. "Be careful when you're driving - it's a pea souper out there."

47. "Pop your clogs" means to pass away

-This might sound like a cheery little British phrase, but the meaning is anything but cheery. It means to pass away. It's origins are believed to be from factory workers in the north of England around the time of the Industrial Revolution. While working on the factory floors, employees had to wear clogs to protect their feet from everything. The concept behind the phrase is that when someone popped their clogs, the toes pointed up in the air, as they lay down to pass away. "Did you hear what happened to John's old man? He popped his clogs, didn't he..."

48. "Poppycock" is similar in meaning to "codswallop", meaning something is nonsense

-Not a reference to the actual poppy flower, this term is similar in meaning to "codswallop", meaning something is so nonsensical it is not even believable. "What a load of poppycock!"

49. When you're invested in something, usually financially, you're "quids in".

-"Quids in" means someone has invested in something, not always, but most of the time financially. The person in question will benefit massively from this investment. In England, "quid" is slang for "pounds" or the national currency. I.e. "five quid" means £5" or "a fiver" as some might call it. "If it all works out as planned, he'll be quids in."

50. When someone is short tempered or irritable, they are "shirty"

-This term is used to describe someone with a short temper or in a current state of irritation. "Don't get shirty with me, mister!"

51. When something is off, askew, it's "skew whiff"

-Instead of being slightly off kilter, or askew in the US, it's tilted to one side. "Is it just me or is that painting a bit skew whiff?"

52. To "skive", it means avoid work or school by feigning illness

-This term is used to describe the feigning of an illness to avoid going to work or school, because you want to do other things. "He skived off school so we could all go to Thorpe Park on a weekday."

-It's kinda strange how I know what Thorpe Park is. I looked at the map of the place after hearing about a friend of mine from college mention he was going there. Now I suddenly I want to explore this park. It looks great!! So does Alton Towers in Stoke-on-Trent. They have a ride there called Oblivion, which has a concrete area around it looking like something a James Bond supervillain would use. I suddenly want to explore this park too!!

53. "Smarmy" is a term that describes someone who looks deceiving, a schemer, untrustworthy

-When someone is described as "smarmy", they look untrustworthy. They have a suspicious air about them, someone who is possibly deceitful, a cheater, a scam artist. "Don't trust him - he's a smarmy geezer!"

54. To "take the cake" in England, it's "take the biscuit"

-To "take the cake" or "take the biscuit" means to win an imaginary award for something foolish or something incredible. If someone has done something that is irritating or surprising, you might say they've "taken the biscuit" or "taken the cake", depending on what region of the world you come from. "I could just about deal with the dog barking at 5:30 am, but the lawnmower at 3 am really takes the biscuit."

55. "Take the mickey" is a phrase referencing the taking of liberties at the expense of others

-It can used in both lighthearted fun and in irritation.

-This is a slight modification on the Cockney rhyming slang of "taking the Mickey Bliss", which references urinating.

-"Hey! Don't take the Mickey."

56. "Waffle" is not a mention of the breakfast food item, rather it means to talk at length without getting to the point

-When someone is just rambling on, with no sign that they are getting to the point, they are "waffling". In the US, it would be described as "telling their life story." "I wish he'd stop waffling on." "What a load of waffle."

57. Someone who is silly or incompetent is a "wally"

-The origins are largely unknown, but it was thought that the term was used in the 1960s to describe someone who was unfashionable. "Don't put down a leaking mug on top of the newspaper, you wally!"

58. When someone is moaning, complaining or whining, they are "whinging"

-"Whinge" or "whinging" means to complain or moan in an irritating, whiny fashion. It's over the top, unnecessary complaining. "Quit whinging."

59. When you want someone to mind their business, you tell them to "wind their neck in."

-If you want to tell someone to mind their business, ask them to "wind their neck in." This is a slightly kinder way of telling someone that their opinion is not wanted in the present time and place. "Wind your neck in and stop being so nosy!"

60. "Zonked" is tired, exhausted

-This can refer to either being tired or exhausted or being under the influence of narcotics or alcohol. "I was going to go out tonight but when I finished work I was absolutely zonked." "When I got home, he was already zonked."

60 Phrases Used in Britain That Will Confuse Other People Pt. I

It's an obvious fact that there are two types of English: US English and British English. Both have the same words, but with different meanings. There are also phrases only used in England that are not used in the US. The same goes for the other way around. Phrases used in the US that are not used in England. According to MSN.com writer Erin McDowell, here are 60 British phrases that would confuse other people.

Looking at some of these phrases, I already knew what they mean. And they make me laugh. My personal favorite is "a few sandwiches short of a picnic". I tend to use variations of that sometimes. Like "a few crayons short of a box" or "a few bricks shy of a load". I grew up watching British television programs like Are You Being Served?, The Young Ones, Keeping Up Appearances. So I do have somewhat of a good knowledge of British English. And two of my current favorite programs on television are from "across the pond", Law & Order UK and Top Gear UK. I have to say Top Gear UK so as to not be confused with Top Gear US. Most would find it odd that I know what most of these mean. But, then again, growing up watching British television will certainly educate you in how those who are from England speak

I had to remove one of them for fear of trouble. It is not a strong swear word, but to see which one I mean, use the above link to see all of them. If you've seen the Harry Potter films, it's a term used frequently by Harry's friend Ron. I removed that term from this to avoid trouble

1. "A few sandwiches short of a picnic" refers to someone who does not appear to have common sense

-It was first said in 1987 on the BBC program Lenny Harry Christmas Special.

-I honestly didn't know this was a phrase from Britain

-There can be all sorts of variations on this, whether they be British in origin or not. "A few bricks shy of a load", "a few ants short of a colony", etc. There's also phrases like "not the sharpest pencil in the box", "not the brightest bulb", "not the brightest crayon in the box"

2. "Anorak" is also known as nerd

-This term can refer to someone who is a bit nerdy, with strong knowledge or expertise in a certain area. It can also refer to a type of raincoat. The term is thought to have originated from the uncool appearance of anorak coats and those who wear them

3. "Bagsy" is the British equivalent to calling "shotgun" or "dibs" on something, such as the front seat of a car when food is offered

-This is something commonly used among kids. "Does anyone want thi-" "Bagsy!"

4. "Bee's knees" is a way of describing something as being the height of cool

-Despite the British origins, this phrase was adopted in the US in the 1920s, at the height of the flapper era. Nowadays, it's a way of saying something is cool. "The Beatles are the bee's knees."

5. "Bender" refers to a massive binge of something, such as drinking to excess

-This refers to an excessive spree of mischief or drinking, often described as being "on a bender."

6. "Bird" does not refer to the animal, but a girl or young woman

-This phrase could be considered, by some, to be chauvinistic. It's still used to this day. It's particularly used to describe women between the ages of 18-50, especially those who are attractive. "Look at that bird over there. She's fit."

7. "Pull a blinder" means to successfully and faultlessly excel at something

-When someone has been lucky and the person witnessing it is in disbelief. That other person is amazed the person pulled it off. "And did you see that equalizing goal in the last minute of injury time? He pulled a blinder there."

8. "Bob's your uncle" is the British equivalent of saying "Well, there you go" or "Here you go"

-It's often used to describe things that are more seemingly difficult than it actually is. "Press down the clutch, put it into gear, then slowly ease off the clutch again. Bob's your uncle-you're driving!"

9. "Bog standard" is something with no frills, completely ordinary

-In England, "bog" is not a swamp, like most would think. It's another word for toilet. To say something is "bog standard", means it's not special, it's just common, everyday, nothing special about it. "How was the hostel?" "Oh, nothing exciting to report. Just your bog-standard dorm, really."

10. "Boot" refers to not the type of footwear, but actually the trunk of a car

-If you watch the program Top Gear UK, you'll often hear James May, Richard Hammond or Jeremy Clarkson mention the "boot" of the car, which means the trunk. Or they will say "bonnet", which means the hood of a car

11. "Botch job" refers to a repair job that, has been rushed and poorly done, and will fall apart soon

-This can also refer to anything that has been haphazardly done. "Sam did a botch job on these shelves-they're wonky!"

12. "Brolly" is umbrella

-Keep an umbrella on you at all times, in case it rains. "Grab your brolly, it's drizzling outside."

13. "Budge up" is also known as "scoot over", "move over", "make room"

-This is an informal way of asking someone to shift over to make room for you to sit too. To do so, ask them to "budge up". "Hey, there's loads of room on that bench. Budge up and make some room for us, too!"

14. "Builder's Tea" is a type of strongly brewed English Breakfast Tea with sugar and milk

-In England, it's a common courtesy to offer a contractor, worker or builder a nice cup of builder's tea while their working. It's especially helpful when working in the cold. "A bacon sandwich and a builder's tea. Now that's a proper breakfast."

-Ironically enough, I actually drink English Breakfast tea, minus the milk. I get jokes in my house from my mom and sister because in the books and films for Fifty Shades of Grey, the main character, Anastasia Steele, drinks English Breakfast tea and has a desire to go to London. Those are two things I share with her

15. "Butcher's hook" is slang for having a look

-If you're looking at something, you're having a "butchers hook" at something. "Would you take a butchers at this broken bike for me?"

16. "Cheeky", depending on the context and / or way it's used, could be used to describe impolite and shameless to some or funny and endearing to others

-When someone is "being cheeky", they are being funny, humorous, with a bit of mischief thrown in for good measure. "Joe's children are absolute rascals-they tied my shoelaces together last week!" "Those cheeky monkeys!"

17. If you are chatting or having a conversation, you are having a "chinwag"

-A "good old chinwag" is a way of saying having a chat or a conversation. The action of talking, with the jaw moving up and down, resembles the way a dog's tail sometimes wags. "Those two are having a proper chinwag - I haven't been able to get a word in edgeways for half an hour!"

18. When something is jam packed full or full to the brim, it's described as "chockablock"

-This is most often used to describe heavy motor vehicle traffic. It's often shortened to "chocka". "We should have taken the other route. This road is chocka!"

19. When you are overjoyed at something, you are "chuffed"

-This term is a way of saying how overjoyed you are at something. "I heard you got the promotion. Congratulations! You must be chuffed!"

20. "Codswallop" is another way of saying "nonsense", "rubbish", something you simply don't believe

-Simply put, this is a way of saying something is absolute nonsense, something that doesn't seem right, something that is completely unbelievable. "Oh, what a load of codswallop!"

21. "Cream crackered", "knackered" are two ways of saying "tired" or "exhausted"

-These two phrases are London slang for "tired" or "exhausted". Some people in England will say that if they are exhausted beyond all recognition, they are "ready for the knacker's yard." This phrase originates from the 19th and 20th centuries, with people called "knackers", who put down worn out horses and used the meat and hooves and hide. "This week's done me in already and it's only Tuesday. I'm cream crackered."

22. "Dench" is another way of saying "cool", "impressive"

-Used in response to someone else, this is a way of saying how cool or impressive something is. It can mean anything, according to British rapper Lethal Bizzle. "I'm going to make us spaghetti carbonara for dinner." "Dench."

23. "Dim" is someone who lacks intelligence

-On the opposite end of that, someone is who intelligent is referred to as "bright". "She's a bit dim."

24. "Doddle" is an easy task

-It's thought this word could have originated from toddle, what a toddler does when first learning how to walk. "This will be a doddle."

25. When something is a mess or complete disaster, it's a "dog's dinner"

-Referred to also as a "dog's breakfast", it means a complete disaster or mess. "You've made a dog's dinner of that paint job."

26. "Faff" or "faff about" is to waste time doing nothing

-It comes from the 17th century word "faffle", meaning to flap in the wind. "What did you do on your day off from work?" "We were just faffing about."

29. "Fit" refers to someone who is physically attractive, with a good body

-If you see someone who you find attractive, you would describe them as "fit." "He's fit"

30. To sell something cheaply and quickly, you "flog" something

-Unfortunately, in the past, "flogging" also means a whipping. It referred to whipping a racehorse to make it go faster. So there is some sense in using the word flog to make something move faster. "I'm trying to flog my old sofa. Do you know anyone who might be interested?"

31. "A full monty" or "the full monty" refers to "all the way", "the whole thing"

-When the film The Full Monty was released in 1997, it lead to quite an array of confusion over the meaning of the phrase. Many thought it only referred to stripping. In fact, according to IMDB.com, under the Did You Know category for the film, many theaters (cinemas) in the US had to issue brochures translating the British English used in the film. This phrase, nowadays, is used to say "all the way", "the whole thing". The origins of this phrase are from an old tailor named Sir Montague Burton. Doing "the full Monty" meant buying a complete three piece suit, with shirt, tie and everything. "Our Christmas dinner had everything from sprouts to Yorkshire puddings. If you're going to have a roast, have the full Monty!"

11 Phrases / Terms to Avoid Using in England

It's an obviously known fact that there are two types of English: British English and American English. There are similar words and phrases, but with different meanings in both countries. According to MSN.com page Insider Lifestyle, by someone named Kerwin, here are 11 phrases / terms to avoid using in England, especially if you don't want a look of confusion or a funny look

-For some reason, MSN.com always has articles that catch my eye or interest

-My question is this: first and foremost, who is asking these questions or assuming these things?!?!?!?!?!? I would NEVER ask or use any of these terms or phrases with someone from England. I would try and be as respectful as possible when conversing with them. Because, if anything, I would find it endlessly fascinating to converse with someone from another country. To learn what makes them unique. Learn their likes and dislikes.

-A great example. While on vacation (holiday) in the Dominican Republic one year with my family, we started talking with these three ladies from England. They were super sweet and somehow we got onto the topic of Top Gear UK. These ladies were surprised to hear that we, being from the US, actually preferred the British Top Gear over the US one. They all told us that they were actually from right around the same regions as the guys on that show. One woman was from a village two miles down the road from where Jeremy Clarkson lives. Another said she was from Bristol, where James May is from and the other said she was from Birmingham, where Richard Hammond is from. We all went from one topic to another and it was so fascinating to learn about these ladies and their unique lives and learn what makes them unique

-On the one about the feeling right at home in England from having ancestors from there, I would, first and foremost, never be of that mindset. It's probably a very common thing that a lot of people have ancestors from England. I do. I found that out when I did the DNA test Ancestry.com is always advertising. As a result, I found out I have British in my heritage. Pretty cool. I got a tattoo to commemorate that. It's a skin rip tattoo showing the English Flag (Union Jack) underneath. I thought it was really cool to find out I have that in my heritage

1. Soccer

-For the love of all that is absolutely holy, when in England, refer to the sport that people from the US call soccer football. In England and other parts of Europe, it's football. The people who play it are "footballers". If you want to make connections, brush up on the local teams, go to a pub and watch a football on the televisions that are bound to be there. Showing that you know at least a little something about the local teams will open a world of possibilities, including making new friends and learning about a new culture. It also shows you respect the local culture, putting you in the good graces of the locals. Calling football "soccer" will earn you some funny looks and have the locals immediately asking if you're from the US and earn you some kind corrections

2. "What's with the weather?"

-It might seem like a stereotype, but the British weather forecast seems to be a popular area of discussion. Complaining about the weather like an outsider would is compared to criticizing a member of someone's family-only they can do that. If you want to talk weather with a local, do it with a nod and smile and you'll fit right in. Or speak of it in a friendly, complimentary, kind way. See if talking about it kindly works as well

3. "Fanny pack"

-In the US, "fanny pack" is a bag worn around the waist to keep items in. It's a stereotypical item used by tourists on vacation. In the UK, however, this term has a completely different meaning. In fact, it's quite embarrassing, as it refers to a certain part of the anatomy. If you want to describe this particular accessory in the UK, the proper phrase is "bum bag". It might sound strange, but if you use it, you won't get any funny looks. The key is to talk like the locals

4. "I love your accent"

-It's not surprising that a lot of people find British accents to be attractive or interesting. But it can come off as patronizing or even annoying. It's like complimenting someone on their handwriting - nice, but not something they can control. Instead, just focus on getting to know that person or talking to them. Don't focus on their accent

5. "Are you an Aussie?"

-First things first, NEVER do this. Mixing up the English, Australian and New Zealand accents are a big DO NOT DO EVER!! Despite the fact that these countries do speak English, there are subtle ways of telling whether someone is from England, Australia or New Zealand. Their accents are unique, some might be broader on vowels than others, some use specific terms and there's a sense of national pride attached. To keep it positive, let the person tell you what country they call home if it comes up in conversation

6. "Do you know the Queen?"

-This is a forehead slap moment. Never ask someone from England if they know the Queen. Assuming someone from England knows the Queen or current monarch is like asking someone from the US if they know the President personally. While the Royal Family is an interesting topic for discussion, avoid asking this to avoid sounding like a tourist

She was such a good person. Did a lot of good for others. So inspiring

7. "My ancestors were British, so I feel right at home."

-Many people have British ancestry, but this statement might come off differently than what you intended or thought. It might come off as trying to hard to fit in. It's like claiming you're a native local after a short time in Paris because you had a relative who was French. Let the connections come in their own time over conversations. Those kinds of free-flowing, natural conversations make for stronger connections

8. "Why do you drive on the wrong side of the road?"

-To many people from Britain, they drive on the correct side, and it's everyone else who is driving on the wrong side of the road. Questioning this tradition is incredibly disrespectful. It's like asking people why they celebrate certain holidays. Just don't ask it. Accept it as a unique part of the culture, adapt to it and even enjoy the uniqueness of it

9. "You must love tea"

-While tea is a popular drink in England, not everyone is a fan of it. Making assumptions to someone based on their preferences for a drink can be considered highly irritating. It can also be considered offensive or stereotypical, assuming that someone from England will automatically like tea. It's like assuming that all people from the US like coffee and drink it from the time they get up in the morning until they go to bed at night. Simply appreciate the culture for all the uniqueness it offers

10. "Do you celebrate the Fourth of July?"

-First and foremost, who is asking these questions?!?!?!?

-If you are looking to bond with someone from the UK over holidays, the Fourth of July question is the LAST question you want to ask. If you paid attention in history class in school, you'll do good to remember the Fourth of July marks the day that the people of the US separated from British rule-not the thing you want to bring up with someone from England. Instead, ask them about unique holidays they celebrate, like Guy Fawkes Day or Boxing Day or any of the unique holidays they celebrate. Ask about the significance of them and this will show that you are taking a genuine interest. Tell them you're curious and it will come off as respectful and friendly

11. "Cheerio, mate"

-This is a stereotypical phrase and hardly used in modern day conversation. It can come off as offensive or seem like you are mocking someone from England. It would be the equivalent of someone saying "Howdy, partner!" to you if you're from New York. Learn how the locals greet each other before greeting someone with this outdated phrase