stroppy, bolshie

Post by Holger Freese
I understand that "stroppy" and "bolshie/bolshy" are British
English informal, as in "get stroppy/bolshie with someone".
What I need is an American English equivalent. Surely not
"pushy" or "touchy"?
Many thanks in advance,

I cannot give you the USA equivalent, as I do not speak the language.

In BrE, "stroppy" and "bolshy" do not really mean "pushy" or "touchy".
Both terms mean the same thing:- "standing one's ground, and arguing
one's case, loudly and rather aggressively".

Richard Chambers Leeds UK.

franzi

2010-04-02 18:47:52 UTC

On Apr 2, 7:03 pm, "Richard Chambers"

I cannot give you the USA equivalent, as I do not speak the language.
In BrE, "stroppy" and "bolshy" do not really mean "pushy" or "touchy".
Both terms mean the same thing:- "standing one's ground, and arguing
one's case, loudly and rather aggressively".

I wonder if the adjective is bolshy and the noun bolshie. A Bolshie is
a Bolshevik, that is to say a trades unionist. The union men are
always refusing to do what they're told and making trouble for honest
employers, so they are obviously Reds and plotting revolution. The
word broadened in scope and became apt to describe any sullen and
uncooperative teenager, or nail that stood up and needed to be
hammered down.

Stroppy is a sort of angry, always likely to be in a bate. It
describes someone having a compulsion to argue irascibly, whatever the
cause.

In this newsgroup, it would be possible to label a poster as stroppy,
from the general tone of their posts over time, but never bolshy,
because bolshy is an attitude to authority. And the Committee here has
the lightest of touches.
--
franzi

Richard Chambers

2010-04-02 20:00:31 UTC

franzi wrote

--------------------------
Richard Chambers

Post by Richard Chambers
I cannot give you the USA equivalent, as I do not speak the language.
In BrE, "stroppy" and "bolshy" do not really mean "pushy" or "touchy".
Both terms mean the same thing:- "standing one's ground, and arguing
one's case, loudly and rather aggressively".

--------------------------
Franzi:-
I wonder if the adjective is bolshy and the noun bolshie. A Bolshie is
a Bolshevik, that is to say a trades unionist. The union men are
always refusing to do what they're told and making trouble for honest
employers, so they are obviously Reds and plotting revolution. The
word broadened in scope and became apt to describe any sullen and
uncooperative teenager, or nail that stood up and needed to be
hammered down.
---------------------------
Myself:-

I think that your analysis of "bolshy" is an improvement on my own, and is
a more accurate definition. I would recommend this definition to the
original poster, in preference to my own. We seem to agree completely on
the meaning of "stroppy".

Richard Chambers Leeds UK.

John O'Flaherty

2010-04-02 21:42:33 UTC

On Fri, 2 Apr 2010 11:47:52 -0700 (PDT), franzi

Post by franzi
On Apr 2, 7:03 pm, "Richard Chambers"

I cannot give you the USA equivalent, as I do not speak the language.
In BrE, "stroppy" and "bolshy" do not really mean "pushy" or "touchy".
Both terms mean the same thing:- "standing one's ground, and arguing
one's case, loudly and rather aggressively".

Is that a typo for "debate", or this sense of "bate" from AHD-
"To flap the wings wildly or frantically. Used of a falcon."?

Post by franzi
It
describes someone having a compulsion to argue irascibly, whatever the
cause.
In this newsgroup, it would be possible to label a poster as stroppy,
from the general tone of their posts over time, but never bolshy,
because bolshy is an attitude to authority. And the Committee here has
the lightest of touches.

--
John

Peter Duncanson (BrE)

2010-04-02 22:26:33 UTC

Post by John O'Flaherty
On Fri, 2 Apr 2010 11:47:52 -0700 (PDT), franzi

Post by franzi
On Apr 2, 7:03 pm, "Richard Chambers"

I cannot give you the USA equivalent, as I do not speak the language.
In BrE, "stroppy" and "bolshy" do not really mean "pushy" or "touchy".
Both terms mean the same thing:- "standing one's ground, and arguing
one's case, loudly and rather aggressively".

Is that a typo for "debate", or this sense of "bate" from AHD-
"To flap the wings wildly or frantically. Used of a falcon."?

Of a human -
OED:

bait, n.2, bate, n.6

A fit of bad temper; a rage. Hence baity, batey a.
'"He was in an awful bait" was common in the Clapham Grammar
School, 1857.'A. L. Mayhew in Eng. Dial. Dict. s.v. Bate n.3.

1882 ‘F. ANSTEY’ Vice Versâ (ed. 4) iii. 48 It would put him in no
end of a bait.
1899 E. PHILLPOTTS Human Boy 95 I've just left Milly, and she's in a
frightful bate.
....

--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)

Nick Spalding

2010-04-03 09:20:19 UTC

Peter Duncanson (BrE) wrote, in

Post by John O'Flaherty
Is that a typo for "debate", or this sense of "bate" from AHD-
"To flap the wings wildly or frantically. Used of a falcon."?

Of a human -
bait, n.2, bate, n.6
A fit of bad temper; a rage. Hence baity, batey a.
'"He was in an awful bait" was common in the Clapham Grammar
School, 1857.'A. L. Mayhew in Eng. Dial. Dict. s.v. Bate n.3.
1882 F. ANSTEY Vice Versâ (ed. 4) iii. 48 It would put him in no
end of a bait.
1899 E. PHILLPOTTS Human Boy 95 I've just left Milly, and she's in a
frightful bate.
....

That was still in use in my prep school days, 1939-1945.

--
Nick Spalding
BrE/IrE

tony cooper

2010-04-02 18:47:50 UTC

On Fri, 2 Apr 2010 19:03:08 +0100, "Richard Chambers"

I cannot give you the USA equivalent, as I do not speak the language.
In BrE, "stroppy" and "bolshy" do not really mean "pushy" or "touchy".
Both terms mean the same thing:- "standing one's ground, and arguing
one's case, loudly and rather aggressively".

Perhaps I misunderstand the UK use of "bolshie". Doesn't the ground
one stands for have to be on the left side of the political spectrum?
Ultra-conservatives also stand their ground aggressively, but I
wouldn't think they would be called "bolshies".

--
Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida

James Silverton

2010-04-02 18:57:01 UTC

I cannot give you the USA equivalent, as I do not speak the
language.
In BrE, "stroppy" and "bolshy" do not really mean "pushy" or
"touchy". Both terms mean the same thing:- "standing one's ground,
and arguing one's case, loudly and rather aggressively".

"Bolshie" did mean "communist". Do you remember the beginning of the
song?

"Harry was a Bolshie
One of Lenin's lads
Til he was foully murdered by reactionary cads"

--
James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

LFS

2010-04-02 21:07:10 UTC

I cannot give you the USA equivalent, as I do not speak the
language.
In BrE, "stroppy" and "bolshy" do not really mean "pushy" or
"touchy". Both terms mean the same thing:- "standing one's ground,
and arguing one's case, loudly and rather aggressively".

"Bolshie" did mean "communist". Do you remember the beginning of the song?
"Harry was a Bolshie
One of Lenin's lads
Til he was foully murdered by reactionary cads"

Ah, tonight's STS...I wonder if I can remember all the words.

--
Laura
(emulate St. George for email)

Nick Spalding

2010-04-02 20:30:13 UTC

Post by tony cooper
On Fri, 2 Apr 2010 19:03:08 +0100, "Richard Chambers"

I cannot give you the USA equivalent, as I do not speak the language.
In BrE, "stroppy" and "bolshy" do not really mean "pushy" or "touchy".
Both terms mean the same thing:- "standing one's ground, and arguing
one's case, loudly and rather aggressively".

That was the original meaning but it has come to mean something more
like "obstreperous".

--
Nick Spalding
BrE/IrE

Robin Bignall

2010-04-02 20:46:49 UTC

On Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:47:50 -0400, tony cooper

Post by tony cooper
On Fri, 2 Apr 2010 19:03:08 +0100, "Richard Chambers"

I cannot give you the USA equivalent, as I do not speak the language.
In BrE, "stroppy" and "bolshy" do not really mean "pushy" or "touchy".
Both terms mean the same thing:- "standing one's ground, and arguing
one's case, loudly and rather aggressively".

The Communist meaning is the origin of the noun, but the adjective is
more general. COD10:
bolshie (also bolshy) Brit. informal
· adj. deliberately combative or uncooperative.
· n. (pl. bolshies) (Bolshie) dated a Bolshevik or socialist.
– DERIVATIVES bolshiness n.
– ORIGIN C20: abbrev. of Bolshevik.

--
Robin
(BrE)
Herts, England

Steve Hayes

2010-04-03 12:04:37 UTC

Post by tony cooper
On Fri, 2 Apr 2010 19:03:08 +0100, "Richard Chambers"

I cannot give you the USA equivalent, as I do not speak the language.
In BrE, "stroppy" and "bolshy" do not really mean "pushy" or "touchy".
Both terms mean the same thing:- "standing one's ground, and arguing
one's case, loudly and rather aggressively".

No, and it need (BrE = needs) not have anything to do with politics.

Stroppy I've always understood as short for obstreperous.

And Bolshies are always revolting about something.

Perhaps the nearest US equivalent is some senses of maverick.

--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://hayesfam.bravehost.com/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://methodius.blogspot.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

k***@cam.ac.uk

2010-04-03 13:29:01 UTC

Post by tony cooper
Perhaps I misunderstand the UK use of "bolshie". Doesn't the ground
one stands for have to be on the left side of the political spectrum?
Ultra-conservatives also stand their ground aggressively, but I
wouldn't think they would be called "bolshies".

No, and it need (BrE = needs) not have anything to do with politics.

Oy! I've never heard anyone in the UK say "needs not" in that sort of context.

The content is right, though: "bolshie" in UK English is most unlikely to have
any political reference at all.

Katy

Peter Duncanson (BrE)

2010-04-03 13:42:20 UTC

No, and it need (BrE = needs) not have anything to do with politics.

Oy! I've never heard anyone in the UK say "needs not" in that sort of context.
The content is right, though: "bolshie" in UK English is most unlikely to have
any political reference at all.

...even among politicians and their wives.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article717200.ece

CHERIE BLAIR is a "bolshie Scouser" according to the man who knows
her best — her husband Tony.
....
She admits to a rebellious streak. "My husband always says that I'm
a bolshie Scouser. Maybe that's the explanation. But I always point
out to him that I think the women from the North West are very
strong and independent."

Apparently cities can be bolshie:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/news/article7075464.ece

Manchester vs Liverpool: which is best?

Manchester's grand act of civic chutzpah was stealing the sea from
under Liverpool's nose and bringing it to Salford. Liverpool has
never forgiven it...

(That was the building of the Manchester Ship Canal.)

Between them, across the Lancashire plain, lie the disputed border
territories; the Kashmirs of Cloth Cap Land, St Helens, Haydock,
Bolton and Wigan. I grew up in the latter almost halfway between the
two swaggering colossi, once dilapidated, now rejuvenated. Thus I am
-> afforded the luxury of knowing that both are vibrant, bolshie and
subtly different cities that can keep a visitor thrilled, mesmerised
and handsomely fed and watered.

--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)

Steve Hayes

2010-04-04 12:04:36 UTC

No, and it need (BrE = needs) not have anything to do with politics.

Oy! I've never heard anyone in the UK say "needs not" in that sort of context.

I meant to put in a question mark there, but it seems to have dropped out.
Anyway thanks for confirming what I hoped to hear.

Post by k***@cam.ac.uk
The content is right, though: "bolshie" in UK English is most unlikely to have
any political reference at all.

Or at least to the Bolshevik Party. It's become an independent idiom, and had
become so 45 years ago when I first heard it.

James Hogg

2010-04-04 13:11:13 UTC

No, and it need (BrE = needs) not have anything to do with politics.

Oy! I've never heard anyone in the UK say "needs not" in that sort of context.

I meant to put in a question mark there, but it seems to have dropped out.
Anyway thanks for confirming what I hoped to hear.

Post by k***@cam.ac.uk
The content is right, though: "bolshie" in UK English is most unlikely to have
any political reference at all.

Or at least to the Bolshevik Party. It's become an independent idiom, and had
become so 45 years ago when I first heard it.

Has anyone ever been called "menshie"?

--
James

Steve Hayes

2010-04-04 14:56:07 UTC

Post by James Hogg

Post by Steve Hayes
Or at least to the Bolshevik Party. It's become an independent idiom, and had
become so 45 years ago when I first heard it.

Has anyone ever been called "menshie"?

Not to my knowledge. Perhaps that's proof of the old adage that winners get to
write the history, at least while they;re winning.

James Silverton

2010-04-04 16:54:18 UTC

Post by James Hogg

Post by Steve Hayes
Or at least to the Bolshevik Party. It's become an
independent idiom, and had become so 45 years ago when I
first heard it.

Has anyone ever been called "menshie"?

Not to my knowledge. Perhaps that's proof of the old adage
that winners get to write the history, at least while they;re
winning.

Since the Mensheviks did not exist for long, there was no real need to
have a familiar name.

Changing the subject some, "bolshie" reminded me of the use of
"organize" in trade union circles to only mean "form a trade union". I
can even remember when I first heard this usage. I was a summer trainee
at a BP oil refinery and we were given frequent lectures on the nature
of the company. I was a little puzzled when the "Industrial Relations"
manager referred to "organizing" workers.

--
James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

tony cooper

2010-04-02 18:44:17 UTC

On Fri, 2 Apr 2010 18:38:56 +0200, "Holger Freese"

It's difficult to come up with a really comparable US usage.
"Stroppy" is belligerent or bad-tempered, so we do have terms for
that. "Bolshie", though, comes from "bolshevik" and that means
"communist" to us. It seems to be used more in UK usage to describe
someone who is a political left-winger or liberal.

We're OK here with the political left, but "communist" is a very
negative thing to us. For us to call a leftist a "commie" is
hyperbole.

You might use "radical liberal", but that doesn't strongly enough
present the belligerent aspect.

--
Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida

Peter Duncanson (BrE)

2010-04-02 19:06:41 UTC

On Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:44:17 -0400, tony cooper

Post by tony cooper
On Fri, 2 Apr 2010 18:38:56 +0200, "Holger Freese"

It can be used as a literal description of a left-winger. It can also be
used of someone who is uncooperative, rebellious or resistant to
authority.

OED:

stroppy, a.

[? abbrev. of OBSTREPEROUS a. with altered stem-vowel.]

Bad-tempered, rebellious, awkward, obstreperous, unruly. Hence
stroppiness.

strop, n.2

Brit. colloq.
As a mass noun: belligerence, peevishness (rare). As a count noun: a
fit of temper; a sulk.

http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/s.htm

stroppy Adj. Bad tempered. {Informal}

strop Noun. A bad mood, a fit of fury. E.g."I got in a strop after
that bloke knocked over my pint of beer."

OED:

Bolshy, Bolshie, n. and a.

B. attrib. or as adj.
a. = BOLSHEVISTIC a.
b. transf. and fig. Left-wing; uncooperative, recalcitrant.

Hence bolshiness, obstructive or recalcitrant behaviour;
political or temperamental disinclination to obey authority.

http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/b.htm

bolshie Adj. Angrily provocative. Originating from the socialist
revolutionaries the Bolsheviks.

Post by tony cooper
We're OK here with the political left, but "communist" is a very
negative thing to us. For us to call a leftist a "commie" is
hyperbole.
You might use "radical liberal", but that doesn't strongly enough
present the belligerent aspect.

That AmE use of "liberal" does not cross the Atlantic well.

--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)

Redshade

2010-04-02 21:25:14 UTC

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
On Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:44:17 -0400, tony cooper

Post by tony cooper
On Fri, 2 Apr 2010 18:38:56 +0200, "Holger Freese"

It can be used as a literal description of a left-winger. It can also be
used of someone who is uncooperative, rebellious or resistant to
authority.
stroppy, a.
[? abbrev. of OBSTREPEROUS a. with altered stem-vowel.]
Bad-tempered, rebellious, awkward, obstreperous, unruly. Hence
stroppiness.
strop, n.2
Brit. colloq.
As a mass noun: belligerence, peevishness (rare). As a count noun: a
fit of temper; a sulk.
http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/s.htm
stroppy Adj. Bad tempered. {Informal}
strop Noun. A bad mood, a fit of fury. E.g."I got in a strop after
that bloke knocked over my pint of beer."
--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)

In my schoolboy days (60s) "stoppy" was used to describe an ill-
tempered Master who was quick to administer physical chastisement.
The strap itself had long been abolished ( replaced by a cane or ruler
to the hand or nether regions or the well aimed board rubber to the
noggin ) but the term persisted in schoolboy slang.

Irwell

2010-04-02 22:31:54 UTC

Post by Redshade
In my schoolboy days (60s) "stoppy" was used to describe an ill-
tempered Master who was quick to administer physical chastisement.
The strap itself had long been abolished ( replaced by a cane or ruler
to the hand or nether regions or the well aimed board rubber to the
noggin ) but the term persisted in schoolboy slang.

All adults seemed to be bad tempered in the pre war days,
teachers, parents, policemen, shop keepers all had
a divine right to administer bodily punishment.

Maybe the depression and the looming war had something to do with it.

Robin Bignall

2010-04-03 20:09:24 UTC

Post by Irwell

All adults seemed to be bad tempered in the pre war days,
teachers, parents, policemen, shop keepers all had
a divine right to administer bodily punishment.
Maybe the depression and the looming war had something to do with it.

More likely that "children should be seen but not heard", a leftover
from Victorian days that produced a clip round the ear for a lippy or
rowdy child. How things have changed!

--
Robin
(BrE)
Herts, England

Redshade

2010-04-02 23:31:48 UTC

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
On Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:44:17 -0400, tony cooper

Post by tony cooper
On Fri, 2 Apr 2010 18:38:56 +0200, "Holger Freese"

In my schoolboy days (60s) "stoppy"* was used to describe an ill-
tempered Master who was quick to administer physical chastisement.
The strap itself had long been abolished ( replaced by a cane or ruler
to the hand or nether regions or the well aimed board rubber to the
noggin ) but the term persisted in schoolboy slang.

*Read "stroppy"

Peter Moylan

2010-04-02 23:33:06 UTC

In my experience the word "strop" was only ever used to describe a razor
strop, a leather belt-like object used for sharpening razors. This was
indeed sometimes used at home as an instrument of punishment, but the
item used by teachers was always the "strap".

Did "strop" have a wider meaning?

--
Peter Moylan, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. http://www.pmoylan.org
For an e-mail address, see my web page.

Redshade

2010-04-02 23:51:56 UTC

Post by Peter Moylan

Eh?

Strop/Strap "wider meanings"? Same word methinks. A leather belt as
used by a horseman/schoolmaster/parent in days past.

Peter Moylan

2010-04-03 10:17:44 UTC

Post by Redshade

Post by Peter Moylan

Eh?
Strop/Strap "wider meanings"? Same word methinks. A leather belt as
used by a horseman/schoolmaster/parent in days past.

My question stands. "Stropping" invariably meant using one's leather
belt/razor strop to sharpen a sword or razor. I have never heard
"strapping" with that meaning.

--
Peter Moylan, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. http://www.pmoylan.org
For an e-mail address, see my web page.

HVS

2010-04-02 22:35:36 UTC

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
stroppy, a.

-snip->

Come, come: one doesn't really need a dictionary to define "stroppy": just
think of a 14-year-old who doesn't want to do what his parents want him to
do.

(And yes, you're correct: the last 12 words of that definition are indeed
redundant.)

--
Cheers, Harvey
CanEng and BrEng, indiscriminately mixed

tony cooper

2010-04-03 00:19:45 UTC

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
stroppy, a.

-snip->
Come, come: one doesn't really need a dictionary to define "stroppy": just
think of a 14-year-old who doesn't want to do what his parents want him to
do.

Or, think of Peter T. Daniel's behavior in aue or aeu.

--
Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida

tony cooper

2010-04-03 00:37:48 UTC

On Fri, 02 Apr 2010 20:19:45 -0400, tony cooper

Post by tony cooper

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
stroppy, a.

-snip->
Come, come: one doesn't really need a dictionary to define "stroppy": just
think of a 14-year-old who doesn't want to do what his parents want him to
do.

Or, think of Peter T. Daniel's behavior in aue or aeu.

Or even Peter T. Daniels'.

--
Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida

Lewis

2010-04-03 07:46:22 UTC

Post by tony cooper

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
stroppy, a.

-snip->
Come, come: one doesn't really need a dictionary to define "stroppy": just
think of a 14-year-old who doesn't want to do what his parents want him to
do.

Or, think of Peter T. Daniel's behavior in aue or aeu.

Ah... so PTD is 14?

--
"You're an elf and you're going to wear panties like an elf." -- David Sedaris,
Santaland Diaries

Al in St. Lou

2010-04-03 22:00:21 UTC

On 03 Apr 2010 07:46:22 GMT, Lewis

Post by tony cooper

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
stroppy, a.

-snip->
Come, come: one doesn't really need a dictionary to define "stroppy": just
think of a 14-year-old who doesn't want to do what his parents want him to
do.

Or, think of Peter T. Daniel's behavior in aue or aeu.

Ah... so PTD is 14?

Perpetually!

--
Al in St. Lou

Mike Barnes

2010-04-03 09:15:50 UTC

Post by HVS
one doesn't really need a dictionary to define "stroppy": just
think of a 14-year-old who doesn't want to do what his parents want him to
do.

But that 14-y-o could be sulky, which is definitely not stroppy.

--
Mike Barnes
Cheshire, England

HVS

2010-04-03 09:49:24 UTC

Post by Mike Barnes

Post by HVS
one doesn't really need a dictionary to define "stroppy": just
think of a 14-year-old who doesn't want to do what his parents want him to
do.

But that 14-y-o could be sulky, which is definitely not stroppy.

Oh, he could be that, too; but my bet is that he's stroppy as well.

--
Cheers, Harvey
CanEng and BrEng, indiscriminately mixed

Mike Barnes

2010-04-03 11:32:36 UTC

Post by Mike Barnes

Post by HVS
one doesn't really need a dictionary to define "stroppy": just
think of a 14-year-old who doesn't want to do what his parents want him to
do.

But that 14-y-o could be sulky, which is definitely not stroppy.

Oh, he could be that, too; but my bet is that he's stroppy as well.

But to me they're incompatible. Sulky is quiet, withdrawn. Stroppy is
noisy, aggressive.

--
Mike Barnes
Cheshire, England

Steve Hayes

2010-04-03 12:15:55 UTC

Post by tony cooper
On Fri, 2 Apr 2010 18:38:56 +0200, "Holger Freese"

When I was in the UK it was used to describe someone who was stroppy or
obstreperous, even in completely a-political cricumstances.

In the USSR, the Bolsheviks (majority) eventually became the Communist Party
of the Soviet Union after the split from the Mensheviks (minority) who became
socialists.

But the Bolsheviks didn't like the liberal revolution (the February
Revolution) and so staged the October Revolution (on 7 November). So "bolshie"
in UK usage came to mean people who were always revolting, even against
revolutions, and always took the contrary viewpoint to whatever was being
proposed.

Holger Freese

2010-04-03 13:16:24 UTC

Post by tony cooper
It's difficult to come up with a really comparable US usage.
"Stroppy" is belligerent or bad-tempered, so we do have terms for
that.

OK then, let me know! What about simply "rude"?

Greetings,

Ho

Richard Chambers

2010-04-03 13:50:33 UTC

Post by Holger Freese

Post by tony cooper
It's difficult to come up with a really comparable US usage.
"Stroppy" is belligerent or bad-tempered, so we do have terms for
that.

OK then, let me know! What about simply "rude"?

No, "stroppy" is a bit more than simply "rude". "Rudeness" can often be
gratuitous, dished out for no proper reason. "Stroppiness" is always a
well-aimed aggression, which usually includes copious rudeness, and is in
defence of a position taken in an argument. Whether this position is
right-thinking or wrong-headed, is a separate question. [As another
contributor has already mentioned, think of a stroppy teenage boy doing
his worst in an argument with his parents].

Stroppiness includes elements of both rudeness and aggression. I would not
describe a lawyer, aggressively pursuing his case in court, as stroppy.
His is a (superficially) polite aggression, which is therefore not
stroppiness.

Richard Chambers Leeds UK.

tony cooper

2010-04-03 15:42:08 UTC

On Sat, 3 Apr 2010 15:16:24 +0200, "Holger Freese"

Post by Holger Freese

Post by tony cooper
It's difficult to come up with a really comparable US usage.
"Stroppy" is belligerent or bad-tempered, so we do have terms for
that.

OK then, let me know!

I did: belligerent.

Post by Holger Freese
What about simply "rude"?

Not rude. You can be rude by just turning your back.

--
Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida

CDB

2010-04-03 01:59:17 UTC

You might consider "ornery"; that's certainly American English.
"Mean, cantankerous, having a difficult and contrary disposition".
The usual cautions regarding the use of unfamiliar slang apply.

Lewis

2010-04-03 07:49:52 UTC

You might consider "ornery"; that's certainly American English.
"Mean, cantankerous, having a difficult and contrary disposition".
The usual cautions regarding the use of unfamiliar slang apply.

Ornery doesn't mean belligerent though, does it? It means
recalcitrant.

--
I WILL STOP PHONING IT IN Bart chalkboard Ep. BABF06

CDB

2010-04-03 13:24:57 UTC

You might consider "ornery"; that's certainly American English.
"Mean, cantankerous, having a difficult and contrary disposition".
The usual cautions regarding the use of unfamiliar slang apply.

Ornery doesn't mean belligerent though, does it? It means
recalcitrant.

Perhaps more bolshy than stroppy, then, if I have understood the
discussion. The usage of slang words is notoriously slippery; the
definitions were cribbed, without credit, from a couple of sources at
OneLook. Ow.
Would you consider a sidewinder to be an o'nery critter?

Robin Bignall

2010-04-03 20:16:43 UTC

You might consider "ornery"; that's certainly American English.
"Mean, cantankerous, having a difficult and contrary disposition".
The usual cautions regarding the use of unfamiliar slang apply.

Ornery doesn't mean belligerent though, does it? It means
recalcitrant.

According to COD, "ornery" simply means "bad tempered", but that's a
BrE definition of an AmE word. "Stroppy" from the same source means
"bad tempered, argumentative".

--
Robin
(BrE)
Herts, England

Sara Lorimer

2010-04-04 00:30:03 UTC

Post by Robin Bignall

You might consider "ornery"; that's certainly American English.
"Mean, cantankerous, having a difficult and contrary disposition".
The usual cautions regarding the use of unfamiliar slang apply.

Ornery doesn't mean belligerent though, does it? It means
recalcitrant.

According to COD, "ornery" simply means "bad tempered", but that's a
BrE definition of an AmE word. "Stroppy" from the same source means
"bad tempered, argumentative".

Pissy?

--
SML

Holger Freese

2010-04-04 07:29:20 UTC

Post by Sara Lorimer

Pissy?

Jaaaa, danke! That's exactly what I was looking for.

Happy Easter!

Ho

Jerry Friedman

2010-04-03 03:15:43 UTC

"You don't gotta get all mad." In demotic American English.

--
Jerry Friedman

Don Phillipson

2010-04-02 19:26:56 UTC

A relevant difference is that different social classes use
these words almost exclusively. Stroppy is a proletarian
word and bolshy a middle/upper class word. Hardly any
individual would spontaneously use both even in different
contexts.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

Peter Duncanson (BrE)

2010-04-03 13:23:57 UTC

On Fri, 2 Apr 2010 14:26:56 -0500, "Don Phillipson"

Post by Don Phillipson

That's a very definite statement.

Just for fun I've searched the website of The Times (of London).

Times Online Results
about 589 for stroppy
about 253 for bolshie

It is difficult to draw any quick conclusions because the relevant word
sometimes appears only in a headline not in the body of an article.

--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)

k***@cam.ac.uk

2010-04-03 13:32:17 UTC

Post by Don Phillipson
A relevant difference is that different social classes use
these words almost exclusively. Stroppy is a proletarian
word and bolshy a middle/upper class word. Hardly any
individual would spontaneously use both even in different
contexts.

This may be true in Canada, but I don't think it works in the UK. I and most
of my middle-class friends would be much more likely to use "stroppy" then
"bolshie" but both are part of our normal vocabularies.

Katy

musika

2010-04-03 15:08:54 UTC

This may be true in Canada, but I don't think it works in the UK. I
and most of my middle-class friends would be much more likely to use
"stroppy" then "bolshie" but both are part of our normal vocabularies.

"Now then, now than"

--
Ray
UK

CDB

2010-04-03 15:17:27 UTC

This may be true in Canada, but I don't think it works in the UK.
I and most of my middle-class friends would be much more likely to
use "stroppy" then "bolshie" but both are part of our normal
vocabularies.

I don't think Don was talking about Canada. "Stroppy" is not common
here, and I've never heard "bolshie". We don't really have the same
kind of class-distinction either.

Cheryl P.

2010-04-03 15:54:24 UTC

This may be true in Canada, but I don't think it works in the UK.
I and most of my middle-class friends would be much more likely to
use "stroppy" then "bolshie" but both are part of our normal
vocabularies.

I don't think Don was talking about Canada. "Stroppy" is not common
here, and I've never heard "bolshie". We don't really have the same
kind of class-distinction either.

I only know those terms from books written in the UK, or people from
them. They aren't common usage in my part of Canada either.

I'd say 'stroppy' would mean 'bad tempered' or 'belligerant' and
'bolshie' as almost the same; aggresive or belligerant in the defense of
one's rights (real or self-invented). Both types of actions could
involve rudeness as well.

--
Cheryl

Richard Chambers

2010-04-03 13:23:02 UTC

Would you agree that "feisty" means basically the same as "stroppy",
except for the following two points:-
1. "Feisty" is more likely to be applied to females, while "stroppy" is
more likely to be applied to males.
2. "Feisty" implies a certain amount of approval, or even admiration, by
the speaker. "Stroppy" almost always implies criticism.

Richard Chambers Leeds UK.

k***@cam.ac.uk

2010-04-03 13:35:47 UTC

Post by Richard Chambers
Would you agree that "feisty" means basically the same as "stroppy",
except for the following two points:-
1. "Feisty" is more likely to be applied to females, while "stroppy" is
more likely to be applied to males.
2. "Feisty" implies a certain amount of approval, or even admiration, by
the speaker. "Stroppy" almost always implies criticism.

I don't think of them as all that close. "Feisty" is definitely a character
trait, whereas "stroppy" is much more likely to be a transient condition.
Almost anyone will have occasional moments of stroppiness.

I also think "feisty" is cheap journalese and, as you say,
largely (I think exclusively?) applied to women. It carries a slight
implication of "gosh, you don't expect a *woman* to be like that".

Katy

R H Draney

2010-04-03 17:52:28 UTC

In my experience, "feisty" is never used in reference to someone under the age
of eighty....r

--
"Oy! A cat made of lead cannot fly."
- Mark Brader declaims a basic scientific principle

Peter Duncanson (BrE)

2010-04-03 18:23:01 UTC

In my experience, "feisty" is never used in reference to someone under the age
of eighty....r

Expand your experience here:
"Bears and frostbite no match for feisty women"
http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/shuttlextra/lifestyle/4854029.Bears_and_frostbite_no_match_for_feisty_women/
or
http://tinyurl.com/yeb7lau

It is about feisty women, ages 63, 40 and 30.

--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)

R H Draney

2010-04-03 20:00:37 UTC

Post by R H Draney
In my experience, "feisty" is never used in reference to someone under the age
of eighty....r

"Bears and frostbite no match for feisty women"
http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/shuttlextra/lifestyle/4854029.Bears_and_frostbite_no_match_for_feisty_women/
or
http://tinyurl.com/yeb7lau
It is about feisty women, ages 63, 40 and 30.

Yabbut, you lot talk about 22-year-old "geezers"....r

--
"Oy! A cat made of lead cannot fly."
- Mark Brader declaims a basic scientific principle

Peter Duncanson (BrE)

2010-04-03 22:28:11 UTC

Post by R H Draney
In my experience, "feisty" is never used in reference to someone under the age
of eighty....r

Yabbut, you lot talk about 22-year-old "geezers"....r

True.

--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)

Mike Lyle

2010-04-03 20:30:52 UTC

[...]

Post by Richard Chambers
Would you agree that "feisty" means basically the same as "stroppy",
except for the following two points:-
1. "Feisty" is more likely to be applied to females, while
"stroppy" is more likely to be applied to males.
2. "Feisty" implies a certain amount of approval, or even
admiration, by the speaker. "Stroppy" almost always implies
criticism.

In my experience, "feisty" is never used in reference to someone
under the age of eighty....r

I think I heard the director say Dr Who's latest girl was "feisty".
(She's terrific, by the way: and the performance of the child playing
her younger self was, if anything, more astonishing.)

--
Mike.

LFS

2010-04-04 06:57:35 UTC

Post by Mike Lyle
[...]

Post by Richard Chambers
Would you agree that "feisty" means basically the same as "stroppy",
except for the following two points:-
1. "Feisty" is more likely to be applied to females, while
"stroppy" is more likely to be applied to males.
2. "Feisty" implies a certain amount of approval, or even
admiration, by the speaker. "Stroppy" almost always implies
criticism.

In my experience, "feisty" is never used in reference to someone
under the age of eighty....r

I think I heard the director say Dr Who's latest girl was "feisty".
(She's terrific, by the way: and the performance of the child playing
her younger self was, if anything, more astonishing.)

We discussed "feisty" last May in a thread on the appointment of Carol
Ann Duffy as poet laureate, started by Tony under the heading "A
different sort of 'Aargh'" [1].

I have never to my knowledge been described as feisty and I would agree
that the word carries a certain hint of approval but, as I observed in
that earlier thread, it is generally applied to women and carries an
even stronger sense of patronising, IMO.

I have more than once been described as stroppy by colleagues whose
views I have challenged. This word is often combined with "mare" these
days, indicating that it is more frequently applied to women.

And I have always been proud to be bolshy, in the sense of rebelling
against authority.

(I agree with Mike about the two actresses and was even won over by the
new Doctor, somewhat to my surprise as I am a huge Tennant fan - I like
the return to the mad scientist persona.)

[1] Elsethread we have discussed single and double quotation marks - it
now occurs to me that nesting of this type does seem to call for a
distinction.

--
Laura
(emulate St. George for email)

Peter Duncanson (BrE)

2010-04-04 12:45:36 UTC

On Sun, 04 Apr 2010 07:57:35 +0100, LFS

Post by LFS
(I agree with Mike about the two actresses and was even won over by the
new Doctor, somewhat to my surprise as I am a huge Tennant fan - I like
the return to the mad scientist persona.)

From an interview with Matt Smith, the new Doctor, in The Times
_Playlist_ (arts magazine and TV and radio listings) current edition:

Truth be told, his Doctor is galaxies away from Tennant's; the
tweeds, recklessness and hyperactive donnishness are more
reminiscent of another pop-cultural treasure: Sherlock Holmes.
Perhaps there's been some thespian osmosis, because the BBC's new
Holmes series, also written by Moffat, is being shot next door to
_Doctor Who_ in Cardiff. "My mate Benedict (Cumberbatch) plays
Holmes, so we have lovely mornings where we go, 'Hi Sherlock! Hi
Doctor!' I think they should do an episode with him: these two great
minds going: 'Ding-ding-ding! Watcha got?"

ObDonnishness: this has nothing to do with an Osmond.

COED:
http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/donnish?view=uk

donnish

adjective resembling a college don, particularly in having a
pedantic manner.

http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/don_1?view=uk

don1

noun
1 a university teacher, especially a senior member of a college at
Oxford or Cambridge.
....

--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)

Lewis

2010-04-05 07:22:01 UTC

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
On Sun, 04 Apr 2010 07:57:35 +0100, LFS

Post by LFS
(I agree with Mike about the two actresses and was even won over by the
new Doctor, somewhat to my surprise as I am a huge Tennant fan - I like
the return to the mad scientist persona.)

From an interview with Matt Smith, the new Doctor, in The Times
Truth be told, his Doctor is galaxies away from Tennant's; the
tweeds, recklessness and hyperactive donnishness are more
reminiscent of another pop-cultural treasure: Sherlock Holmes.
Perhaps there's been some thespian osmosis, because the BBC's new
Holmes series, also written by Moffat, is being shot next door to
_Doctor Who_ in Cardiff. "My mate Benedict (Cumberbatch) plays
Holmes, so we have lovely mornings where we go, 'Hi Sherlock! Hi
Doctor!' I think they should do an episode with him: these two great
minds going: 'Ding-ding-ding! Watcha got?"

Oooo, I agree. A Holmes and Doctor ep would be grand.

Now, about this Moffat Sherlock Holmes, when's that on?

--
Your letters they all say that you're beside me now. Then why do I feel alone?
I'm standing on a ledge and your fine spider web Is fastening my ankle to a
stone.

Peter Duncanson (BrE)

2010-04-05 11:29:13 UTC

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
On Sun, 04 Apr 2010 07:57:35 +0100, LFS

Post by LFS
(I agree with Mike about the two actresses and was even won over by the
new Doctor, somewhat to my surprise as I am a huge Tennant fan - I like
the return to the mad scientist persona.)

Oooo, I agree. A Holmes and Doctor ep would be grand.
Now, about this Moffat Sherlock Holmes, when's that on?

It just started in the UK on Saturday evening.

--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)

Amethyst Deceiver

2010-04-05 19:56:48 UTC

On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:29:13 +0100, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)"

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
On Sun, 04 Apr 2010 07:57:35 +0100, LFS

Post by LFS
(I agree with Mike about the two actresses and was even won over by the
new Doctor, somewhat to my surprise as I am a huge Tennant fan - I like
the return to the mad scientist persona.)

Oooo, I agree. A Holmes and Doctor ep would be grand.
Now, about this Moffat Sherlock Holmes, when's that on?

It just started in the UK on Saturday evening.

Damn, which channel?
I managed to miss Frost, too.

Peter Duncanson (BrE)

2010-04-05 20:59:09 UTC

On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 20:56:48 +0100, Amethyst Deceiver

Post by Amethyst Deceiver
On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:29:13 +0100, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)"

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
On Sun, 04 Apr 2010 07:57:35 +0100, LFS

Post by LFS
(I agree with Mike about the two actresses and was even won over by the
new Doctor, somewhat to my surprise as I am a huge Tennant fan - I like
the return to the mad scientist persona.)

Oooo, I agree. A Holmes and Doctor ep would be grand.
Now, about this Moffat Sherlock Holmes, when's that on?

It just started in the UK on Saturday evening.

Damn, which channel?
I managed to miss Frost, too.

It was on BBC1. It is repeated on Friday 9th at 21:00 on BBC3
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/programmes/schedules/2010/04/09

Episode 2 is on Saturday 10th at 18:15 on BBC1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcone/programmes/schedules/london/2010/04/10

--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)

Amethyst Deceiver

2010-04-06 20:31:57 UTC

On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:59:09 +0100, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)"

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 20:56:48 +0100, Amethyst Deceiver

Post by Amethyst Deceiver
On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:29:13 +0100, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)"

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
On Sun, 04 Apr 2010 07:57:35 +0100, LFS

Post by LFS
(I agree with Mike about the two actresses and was even won over by the
new Doctor, somewhat to my surprise as I am a huge Tennant fan - I like
the return to the mad scientist persona.)

Oooo, I agree. A Holmes and Doctor ep would be grand.
Now, about this Moffat Sherlock Holmes, when's that on?

It just started in the UK on Saturday evening.

Damn, which channel?
I managed to miss Frost, too.

It was on BBC1. It is repeated on Friday 9th at 21:00 on BBC3
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/programmes/schedules/2010/04/09

Nonono, The Sherlock Holmes! Doctor Who was marvellous!

Peter Duncanson (BrE)

2010-04-06 20:37:43 UTC

On Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:31:57 +0100, Amethyst Deceiver

Post by Amethyst Deceiver
On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:59:09 +0100, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)"

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 20:56:48 +0100, Amethyst Deceiver

Post by Amethyst Deceiver
On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:29:13 +0100, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)"

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
On Sun, 04 Apr 2010 07:57:35 +0100, LFS

Post by LFS
(I agree with Mike about the two actresses and was even won over by the
new Doctor, somewhat to my surprise as I am a huge Tennant fan - I like
the return to the mad scientist persona.)

Oooo, I agree. A Holmes and Doctor ep would be grand.
Now, about this Moffat Sherlock Holmes, when's that on?

It just started in the UK on Saturday evening.

Damn, which channel?
I managed to miss Frost, too.

It was on BBC1. It is repeated on Friday 9th at 21:00 on BBC3
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/programmes/schedules/2010/04/09

Nonono, The Sherlock Holmes! Doctor Who was marvellous!

Don't Panic!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/comingup/sherlock/

Sherlock... Coming soon to BBC One.

A contemporary take on the classic Arthur Conan Doyle stories,
Sherlock is a thrilling, funny, fast-paced adventure series set in
present-day London.

Co-created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, Sherlock stars Benedict
Cumberbatch as the new Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as his
loyal friend, Doctor John Watson. Rupert Graves plays Inspector
Lestrade.

The iconic details from Conan Doyle's original books remain – they
live at the same address, have the same names and, somewhere out
there, Moriarty is waiting for them.

Steven Moffat says: "Conan Doyle's stories were never about frock
coats and gas light; they're about brilliant detection, dreadful
villains and blood-curdling crimes – and frankly, to hell with the
crinoline. Other detectives have cases, Sherlock Holmes has
adventures, and that's what matters.

--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)

Amethyst Deceiver

2010-04-07 11:06:48 UTC

On Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:37:43 +0100, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)"

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
On Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:31:57 +0100, Amethyst Deceiver

Post by Amethyst Deceiver
On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:59:09 +0100, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)"

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 20:56:48 +0100, Amethyst Deceiver

Post by Amethyst Deceiver
On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:29:13 +0100, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)"

Post by Lewis
Now, about this Moffat Sherlock Holmes, when's that on?

It just started in the UK on Saturday evening.

Damn, which channel?
I managed to miss Frost, too.

It was on BBC1. It is repeated on Friday 9th at 21:00 on BBC3
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/programmes/schedules/2010/04/09

Nonono, The Sherlock Holmes! Doctor Who was marvellous!

Don't Panic!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/comingup/sherlock/
Sherlock... Coming soon to BBC One.

Coming soon, that's what I like to see. It means there'll be enough of
a trail for it that I'll remember to set the PVR.

Robin Bignall

2010-04-07 20:22:50 UTC

On Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:37:43 +0100, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)"

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
On Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:31:57 +0100, Amethyst Deceiver

Post by Amethyst Deceiver
On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:59:09 +0100, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)"

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 20:56:48 +0100, Amethyst Deceiver

Post by Amethyst Deceiver
On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:29:13 +0100, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)"

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
On Sun, 04 Apr 2010 07:57:35 +0100, LFS

Post by LFS
(I agree with Mike about the two actresses and was even won over by the
new Doctor, somewhat to my surprise as I am a huge Tennant fan - I like
the return to the mad scientist persona.)

Oooo, I agree. A Holmes and Doctor ep would be grand.
Now, about this Moffat Sherlock Holmes, when's that on?

It just started in the UK on Saturday evening.

Damn, which channel?
I managed to miss Frost, too.

It was on BBC1. It is repeated on Friday 9th at 21:00 on BBC3
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/programmes/schedules/2010/04/09

Nonono, The Sherlock Holmes! Doctor Who was marvellous!

Don't Panic!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/comingup/sherlock/
Sherlock... Coming soon to BBC One.
A contemporary take on the classic Arthur Conan Doyle stories,
Sherlock is a thrilling, funny, fast-paced adventure series set in
present-day London.
Co-created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, Sherlock stars Benedict
Cumberbatch as the new Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as his
loyal friend, Doctor John Watson. Rupert Graves plays Inspector
Lestrade.
The iconic details from Conan Doyle's original books remain – they
live at the same address, have the same names and, somewhere out
there, Moriarty is waiting for them.
Steven Moffat says: "Conan Doyle's stories were never about frock
coats and gas light; they're about brilliant detection, dreadful
villains and blood-curdling crimes – and frankly, to hell with the
crinoline. Other detectives have cases, Sherlock Holmes has
adventures, and that's what matters.

Even as a child I felt that someone who knew the composition of the
earth in every field in the home counties, so that he could greet a
new prospect with "I see from your boots that you're a farmer from
Tring, sir" was somewhat unlikely.

--
Robin
(BrE)
Herts, England

Lewis

2010-04-07 09:03:37 UTC

Post by Amethyst Deceiver
On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:29:13 +0100, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)"

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
On Sun, 04 Apr 2010 07:57:35 +0100, LFS

Post by LFS
(I agree with Mike about the two actresses and was even won over by the
new Doctor, somewhat to my surprise as I am a huge Tennant fan - I like
the return to the mad scientist persona.)

Oooo, I agree. A Holmes and Doctor ep would be grand.
Now, about this Moffat Sherlock Holmes, when's that on?

It just started in the UK on Saturday evening.

Damn, which channel?
I managed to miss Frost, too.

Well piss, I can't find either one of those.

--
Rent a flat above a shop, cut your hair and get a job, smoke some fags and play
some pool, pretend you never went to school and still you'll never get it right
cuz when you're lay'n in bed at night watching roaches climb the wall if you
called your dad he could stop it all.

Amethyst Deceiver

2010-04-07 11:07:58 UTC

On 07 Apr 2010 09:03:37 GMT, Lewis

Post by Amethyst Deceiver
On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:29:13 +0100, "Peter Duncanson (BrE)"

Post by Peter Duncanson (BrE)
On Sun, 04 Apr 2010 07:57:35 +0100, LFS

Post by LFS
(I agree with Mike about the two actresses and was even won over by the
new Doctor, somewhat to my surprise as I am a huge Tennant fan - I like
the return to the mad scientist persona.)

Oooo, I agree. A Holmes and Doctor ep would be grand.
Now, about this Moffat Sherlock Holmes, when's that on?

It just started in the UK on Saturday evening.

Damn, which channel?
I managed to miss Frost, too.

Well piss, I can't find either one of those.

Doctor Who: Saturdays, BBC1 (and repeated during the week on different
BBC channels)
Sherlock Holmes: coming soon
Frost: Sunday and Monday just gone, on ITV. Will be repeated, I'm
sure.

Lewis

2010-04-09 09:04:43 UTC

Post by Amethyst Deceiver
Doctor Who: Saturdays, BBC1 (and repeated during the week on different
BBC channels)

Well yes, *everyone* knows that!

*cough*

Post by Amethyst Deceiver
Sherlock Holmes: coming soon

Ah, that's what I thought was being referred to as having been on
Saturday morning, since the Doctor is on in the evening. Must have been
a septic on the west cost referring to PDT morning or something.

Post by Amethyst Deceiver
Frost: Sunday and Monday just gone, on ITV. Will be repeated, I'm
sure.

Found it, downloaded it. Haven't watched it. I am stuck with an 8 hour
window for Comcast to come by tomorrow, so I will probably watch that
and two eps of Waking the Dead I didn't see (the finale pair from the
last series. Hope springs eternal a main character isn't killed off
senselessly.

--
Seeing, contrary to popular wisdom, isn't believing. It's where belief stops,
because it isn't needed any more. --Pyramids

Robin Bignall

2010-04-09 20:35:37 UTC

On 09 Apr 2010 09:04:43 GMT, Lewis

Post by Amethyst Deceiver
Doctor Who: Saturdays, BBC1 (and repeated during the week on different
BBC channels)

Well yes, *everyone* knows that!
*cough*

Post by Amethyst Deceiver
Sherlock Holmes: coming soon

Post by Amethyst Deceiver
Frost: Sunday and Monday just gone, on ITV. Will be repeated, I'm
sure.

There's always the hope that if they do, the character will wake up in
a future episode.

--
Robin
(BrE)
Herts, England

Robert Bannister

2010-04-03 23:08:44 UTC

In my experience, "feisty" is never used in reference to someone under the age
of eighty....r

What is surprising is that the author is not obviously American, since I
have never seen or heard the word used by a non-American even though the
word is allegedly Irish. Of course, she is presumably a journalist which
can explain away many odd language uses.

--
Rob Bannister

CDB

2010-04-03 15:23:44 UTC

Would you agree that "feisty" means basically the same as "stroppy",
except for the following two points:-
1. "Feisty" is more likely to be applied to females, while
"stroppy" is more likely to be applied to males.
2. "Feisty" implies a certain amount of approval, or even
admiration, by the speaker. "Stroppy" almost always implies
criticism.

It isn't a German word, and I've always thought it would be better
spelled "ficety". In pursuit of this thought, I looked up the
etymology:
1896, Amer.Eng. from feist "small dog," from fice, fist (Amer.Eng.,
1805) "small dog;" short for fysting curre "stinking cur," attested
from 1520s, from M.E. fysten, fisten "break wind" (mid-15c.); related
to O.E. fisting "stink." The 1811 slang dictionary defines fice as "a
small windy escape backwards, more obvious to the nose than ears;
frequently by old ladies charged on their lap-dogs."
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=feisty
SBD. Who knew?

Steve Hayes

2010-04-04 12:10:23 UTC

On Sat, 3 Apr 2010 14:23:02 +0100, "Richard Chambers"

To me both "stroppy" and "bolshie" imply a certain amount of contumaciousness.
"Feisty" doesn't. "Feisty" I would apply to one of our politicians, Patricia
de Lille, and I voted for her party in the last two elections.

Ian Jackson

2010-04-05 15:33:32 UTC

Post by Steve Hayes
On Sat, 3 Apr 2010 14:23:02 +0100, "Richard Chambers"