We've come across a fun British English/EU English Translation chart. Basically what the British say and what they really mean. It's hilarious. Hat tip to Anglophenia for the discovery. … [Read more...]
Check out this great resource to Learn English London.
Video: Stephen Fry On Language
January 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Love this video on language with Stephen Fry. From the description: Using the wonderful words of acclaimed writer, actor and allround know it all (I mean that in the best of ways) Stephen Fry I have created this kinetic typography animation. If you like what you hear you can download the rest of … [Read more...]
Language: Could a British Accent Improve your Business Prospects?
December 8, 2011 By 1 Comment
There is just something about the British accent that sounds suave and intelligent, and this is very advantageous in the business world where so much depends on first impressions. If you come across as polite, intelligent and witty during a business interview, you will be more likely to finalise the … [Read more...]
Friday Fun: Hamlet’s Soliloquy as a Song – Video
November 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A young musician who had to memorize Hamlet's Soliloquy put it to song to help her remember it. The result is rather good! Check it out below: … [Read more...]
Friday Fun: Shakespearean Insult Kit
October 21, 2011 By 1 Comment
This is making the rounds on the various social networks this morning so I thought it was worth sharing. Combine any of the three columns below to build your own Shakespearean insult and preface each one with Thou. Source. … [Read more...]
Video: The History of English in 10 Minutes – Hilarious!
October 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A few months ago The Open University in Britain published some fun and informative videos about the history of the English language on YouTube. They were one minute long and posted individually. This annoyed us as there were ten total videos. So we took all the videos and combined them into … [Read more...]
Language: Top 100 Cockney Rhyming Slang Words and Phrases
July 11, 2011 By 7 Comments
Hot on the heels of our success with our Top 100 Best British Slang Phrases, we thought we'd explore the beauty of Cockney Rhyming Slang next. Rhyming slang is believed to have originated in the mid-19th century in the East End of London, with sources suggesting some time in the 1840s. It dates … [Read more...]
Top 100 Most Beautiful British Slang Words and Phrases
June 22, 2011 By 121 Comments
British English is a fountain of beautiful words that we don't normally use in America. Some are hilarious, some are rude and some are... interesting. Here's our list of our top 100 favorite British slang words and phrases. Oftentimes, it's not so much the word itself that's awesome - but the … [Read more...]
Much Ado About Shakespeare: Best Sights in England For Fans of The Bard
June 15, 2011 By 2 Comments
The life of William Shakespeare revolved around two main destinations: Stratford-Upon-Avon, where he lived and died; and London, where he made a name for himself as the most famous playwright of all time. Be sure to spend some time in both places to discover more about the man behind the well-loved … [Read more...]
Guest Post: A Brief Guide to British Accents
June 9, 2011 By 7 Comments
The following is a guest post from Renana Harary - an Anglophile with a particular interest in Britain's many accents. Thanks Renana! Have you ever walked around, speaking in a fake British accent? Saying things like “Bloody hell,” or “May I have some more?” My best friend and I used to … [Read more...]
Massive List of Phrases That Shakespeare Created That We Still Use Today
February 24, 2011 By 2 Comments
Shakespeare is without a doubt a man that had the most effect on the English language and the way that we use it today. In an effort to find out just how much he has influenced how we speak today, I thought it would be fun to put together a list of phrases that can be attributed to him and his … [Read more...]
Fun Link: 10 Words Britons Shouldn’t Say in America
February 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
This is a great post from the always awesome Everywhereist on some words or phrases Britons should avoid saying while spending time in America. Here's an excerpt: Diary: In the U.K., a “diary” is what we Americans would call a “calendar” or a “planner”. So, when we told a friend in … [Read more...]
Amazing Dude Can Speak in 24 Different English Accents
October 4, 2010 By 2 Comments
This is a pretty cool video - this British youngster can speak in 24 different English Accents - British and the rest of the world. Be warned - his language is quite vulgar - but the video is a lot of fun. Click to view larger version. … [Read more...]
Did the Founding Fathers Have English Accents?
August 10, 2010 By 7 Comments
I came across this on Stumbleupon and it answers a question I've always wondered: Did the Founding Fathers have English Accents? The answer is more complicated that you think. According to Nick Patrick: Reading David McCullough's 1776, I found myself wondering: Did Americans in 1776 have … [Read more...]
From the Heart… of England: What’s in a name?
November 27, 2009 By 7 Comments
[picappgallerysingle id="74425" align="center"]Hmmm...quite a lot, actually. I've read loads of articles about 'silly' English place names such as Lower Piddle, Pratt's Bottom, Doddiscombsleigh, Wigtwizzle and the like. I love them, but then I was taught to love them by my wonderful father who … [Read more...]
From the Heart… of England: Time for an English lesson
November 20, 2009 By 4 Comments
[picappgallerysingle id="168049"]I have often travelled on work trips to the States and been asked how long I am staying. Before I knew better, I used to answer "a fortnight", which met with rather blank looks Stateside. So let me explain a few of our quirkier notions of time in Blighty... A … [Read more...]
Ten tips to swear like a Brit
November 13, 2009 By 11 Comments
I am unfortunately aware that we have successfully exported chef Gordon Ramsay to you. My sincere apologies. Obviously, the man can cook (and play football) - I wouldn't want to imply that he can't. in fact I truly admire his culinary skill. But as an ambassador for the English language, … [Read more...]
Dispatches From The North: Ruling the Waves – Life in Britain’s Royal Navy
August 26, 2009 By 2 Comments
Alright, so the Royal Navy doesn't exactly rule the waves these days as they have in the past. In fact, the Royal Navy currently has less than 40,000 personnel which is fewer than the number of students at my alma mater, Michigan State University. Still, the Royal Navy is the Senior Service … [Read more...]
Dispatches from the East: How to Speak Good Briddish
May 3, 2009 By 5 Comments
After being here for a little more than six years, I'm stuck in the very strange position of still having a strong American accent, but having picked up enough British slang and nuance that every time I go back home I invariably say one or two things that cause the good folks of Lawrence, Kansas to … [Read more...]
Dispatches From the North: A Guide to the Northeast England Dialect
February 11, 2009 By 8 Comments
There seemed to be a strong response to my discussion of language and accents last week so I decided to expound on that a bit more. When I moved here I realized that I had two choices. I could either try and most likely fail to pick up the local dialect as quickly as possible or else I could be … [Read more...]
Dispatches from the North: A Holiday in the Lake District
February 4, 2009 By 4 Comments
I was unsure what to write about this week since there seem to be so many things going on, and none of them related to one another. Last week started with many in the construction and manufacturing trades going on strike, my father-in-law was on strike from his construction job and my … [Read more...]
The Coming Apostrophe Catastrophe
February 2, 2009 By 3 Comments
In the odd news of the week comes an interesting tidbit from the AP newswire that says the English city of Birmingham has unilaterally decided to drop the venerable possessive apostrophe from all it's streets signs. Their reasoning? Apparently, they think the apostrophe is confusing and old … [Read more...]
British Pound Exchange Rate
Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Anglotopia was started to get us back to the UK for a trip and it did that in 2009. Now, the goal is for Anglotopia to make our dreams of traveling to the UK whenever we want a reality.