I was just reading an article on the BBC News site about David Tennant taking on the role of The Doctor's 10th incarnation, and came across this quote:
quote:Tennant also said he was "chuffed to bits" to be reunited with writer and executive producer Russel T Davies....
Anyone know if "chuffed to bits" is a common Britishism? I can't see myself using it, but I could definitely imagine, say, Teshi using it, perhaps in conjunction with the phrase "holy crumpets". Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I've heard (well, read) online UK friends use it. It is a fun expression.
Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
In my brief foray, I never heard the word "chuffed" used, but it does crop up from time to time in Brit Lit, most notably in one or two lines in Harry Potter.
-Trevor
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
That's great. I'm chuffed to bits. I love it! Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
According to a British co-worker of mine it basically means very happy.
Posted by Miriya (Member # 7822) on :
I've heard "chuffed" used frequently in "Thomas the Tank Engine" (a children's train show) but always assumed it was just a play on "puffed". I guess you learn something new every day.
Posted by amira tharani (Member # 182) on :
"Chuffed to bits" is definitely a common Britishism... I've been known to use it from time to time, though I tend to prefer "thrilled to bits."
Posted by Susie Derkins (Member # 7718) on :
In an attempt to sound wittily British, I have commandeered the word bit, and it is now an integral part of my vocabulary, along with shall and perhaps and pronouncing all my Ts. I'm afraid it has only succeeded in making me come across as eccentrically pretentious.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
1. I never heard it, but I've no doubt it's used in the most serious of excited situations.
2. "Bit" "shall" and "perhaps" are British words?! Since when?
3. "Chuffed" is exactly like "puff", only you can also use it in the onamatopaeia (sp?) sense, as in, "Chuff, chuff, chuff, chuff."
Posted by Susie Derkins (Member # 7718) on :
quote:2. "Bit" "shall" and "perhaps" are British words?! Since when?
I should have been more specific - shall and perhaps aren't specifically British, just more of a formal English that I like to imitate. Bit is used Britishly where Americans would use piece. As in, "I'll have a bit of cake," or "I'm not quite sure how all these bits fit together," or "I do think she's rather pretty, except for those rather wonky bits we won't mention."
I find using it like that to be rather entertaining. Posted by Olivetta (Member # 6456) on :
"Chuffed" is Brit slang, and it has been around awhile. It's similar to when Americans say they are "stoked" about something.
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
rivka, I was amused by one of the headlines in that google search:
quote: Son of gnome manufacturer chuffed to bits
And Annie: I like that movie
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
I've got another one. Well, a word rather than a turn of phrase, but still. I was reading an interview on New Scientist with Elaine Morgan (the primary champion of the aquatic ape theory). In it she said
quote:We were fairly skint, and with two kids in the house I couldn't get out to work.
From context it was clear that "skint" meant "poor", but I'd never come across the term before. I'm officially chuffed to bits to have learned a new Britishism.
[ April 26, 2005, 10:58 PM: Message edited by: Noemon ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I believe "skint" is closer to "broke" than anything else. It is indeed a cool word. Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Yes, rivka's right. 'Skint' is basically the same as 'broke'.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Ah, okay. I love the sound of it. It sounds like poverty somehow.
Morgan sounds like a pretty interesting person--somehow I have a feeling that I'd like her quite a bit were I to meet her.
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