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Keywords in British culture Flashcards

1
Q

The Archers

A

a very popular radio serial which has been running since 1951 and relates the life of a family of farmers in the imaginary village of Ambridge

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2
Q

Ascot

A

a racecourse near Windsor, famous for Royal Ascot, a summer meeting attended by royalty and famous for its display of fashion

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3
Q

The Ashes

A

a Test cricket series played between England and Australia. The Ashes are regarded as being held by the team that won the last Test series or, if that series was drawn, by the team that last won a series.

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4
Q

Auld Lang Syne

A

a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788, set to the tune of a traditional folk song. It is well known in many countries, its traditional use being to bid farewell to the old year at the stroke of midnight. By extension, it is also sung at funerals, graduations and as a farewell or ending to other occasions, like Scout jamborees.

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5
Q

Authorized Version

A

the version of the Bible ordered by King James I and published in 1611. The poetry of its language has had a deep influence upon English literature.

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6
Q

Bank holidays

A

the official public holidays.

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7
Q

Bingo

A

a very popular game, mainly played by women in huge bingo halls

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8
Q

Colonel Blimp

A

originally a cartoon character that now stands for narrow-mindedness and the refusal of change.

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9
Q

Bloomsday

A

16 June 1904, the day when the action of James Joyce’s Ulysses takes place. It is celebrated in Dublin but also by lovers of Joyce all over the world.

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10
Q

The Boat Race

A

a yearly race on the River Thames between the rowing teams of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

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11
Q

Booker Prize

A

a price awarded each year for the best British, Irish or Commonwealth novel.

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12
Q

Britannia

A

the personification of Britain, a woman with a helmet, trident and shield.

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13
Q

British Library

A

Britain’s national library, and a copyright library (to which authors must send a copy of every book they publish).

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14
Q

John Bull

A

a personnification of the typical Englishman: a plain, fat, kindly Englishman resembling a bulldog.

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15
Q

Canary Wharf

A

a major business district located in Tower Hamlets, London. It is one of the city’s two main financial centres – along with the traditional City of London – and contains many of the UK’s tallest buildings, including the second-tallest, One Canada Square.

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16
Q

The Channel Islands

A

an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They are considered the remnants of the Duchy of Normandy and are not part of the United Kingdom.

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17
Q

Charities

A

voluntary, independent organizations which are active in the fields of poverty, education, religion, human rights, the care of animals, etc. Strong tradition of supporting charities in Britain.

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18
Q

The City

A

The financial district of London, where the Bank of England and the Stock Exchange can be found. It is also called the Square Mile.

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19
Q

Cockney

A

a working-class person from the east of London

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20
Q

Cool Britannia

A

a pun on Rule Britannia, the unofficial National Anthem. It refers to London as the capital of fashion, the arts and the media.

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21
Q

Downing Street

A

the street in London where the PM and the Chancellor of the Exchequer live, at numbers 10 and 11 respectively.

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22
Q

The Edinburgh Festival

A

a festival of drama and music held every August in Edinburgh. It is also known for the Fringe : all the unofficial plays, concerts and comedy shows performed during those weeks. There are many budding performers who start their careers at the Edinburgh Festival.

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23
Q

Entente Cordiale

A

the Franco-British agreement signed in 1904.

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24
Q

Establishment

A

the word refers to the ruling class: the Queen and her family, the aristocracy, the Cabinet and the members of Parliament as well as the leading figures in the world of finance and diplomacy, and in the church.

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25
Field Sports
hunting, shooting and fishing are called field sports or blood sports since they involve killing animals.
26
Footsie
the FTSE, or Financial Times Share Index, is published daily and gives the share value of the 100 largest British companies
27
Gaelic
two Celtic languages still spoken in the West of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
28
G8
a group of 8 of the richest countries in the world (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the U.K. and the U.S.) who meet regularly to discuss economic policies.
29
Gentleman's club
a members-only private club originally set up by and for British upper class men in the 18th century, and popularised by English upper-middle class men and women in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Today, some clubs are more accommodating about the gender and social status of their members.
30
Glastonbury
a town in Somerset, famous for a festival of rock music held there every summer
31
Glyndebourne
the place near Brighton where an opera festival takes place every summer
32
G.M.T.
Greenwich Mean Time: the time at the 0° longitude meridian which passes through the Royal Observatory at Greenwich.
33
Guy Fawkes Night
also known as Bonfire Night, an annual commemoration observed on 5 November. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. In order to celebrate the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London.
34
Hogmanay
the Scottish word for New Year's Eve, which is widely celebrated in Scotland. Auld Lang Syne is sung at midnight.
35
Jingoism
extreme nationalism, often linked with anti-Europeanism
36
Land of Hope and Glory
A highly patriotic song composed by Elgar and sung on the last night of the Proms.
37
The lion and the unicorn
appear on the royal arms of Britain : the lion stands for England, the unicorn for Scotland.
38
"Me" generation
a derogatory term referring to the 1970s and 1980s, when many young people were seen as exclusively concerned with money and their own selves.
39
MI5
the former name (though still used) of the British Security Service, which deals with terrorism.
40
MI6
the former name (though still used) of the Secret Intelligence Service, which gathers information about foreign countries.
41
National Lottery
created in 1994, hugely popular. Gives money to charities and cultural projects.
42
National Trust
an independent organisation to protect and preserve historic sites (castles, country houses, gardens...).
43
Non-U
the abbreviation for "non upper-class".
44
Orange Prize
a British literary prize given every year to a work of fiction written in English by a woman from any country in the world.
45
Oxbridge
portmanteau word referring to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
46
P.C.
Political Correctness.
47
Poet Laureate
the official royal poet, appointed for life and writes verse for official occasions.
48
Poppy Day
rememberance day, in November, when people wear poppies (reminiscent in the fields of northern France) in their lapels in memory of those who died in the two World Wars.
49
The Proms
short for "promenade concerts", a series of concerts given every summer at the Albert Hall, in London. A large part of the audience has no seats and stands or sits on the floor. The Last Night of the Proms is very popular, well-known songs are performed and the audience joins in.
50
R.P.
Received Pronunciation, the standard way of pronuncing English for middle-class speakers in the South of England.
51
St. David's Day
the national day of Wales, on 1 March, but not a holiday.
52
St. George's Day
the national day of England, on 23 April, but not a holiday.
53
St. Patrick's Day
the national day of Ireland, on 17 March.
54
Third Sector
Neither the public nor the private sector, but all kinds of non-profit organizations, charities and community-based associations, which the government would like to encourage.
55
Town and gown
an expression describing the contrast - and sometimes the tension - which is found in many university towns between town (the permanend resident who works there) and gown (the students and staff of the university).
56
The T.U.C.
the Trade Union Congress, association to which over 70 unions are affiliated. The power of the unions was curbed by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government in the 1980s. Today, trade-unions still have loose links with the Labour Party.
57
Whitbread Book of the Year
five literary prizes awarded to British or Irish writers for best novel, best first novel, best biography, best book of poems and best children's book
58
White man's burden
an expression first used by Kipling and referring to colonialism, which was then seen by some as the duty of white people, who had to spread culture and civilization throughout the world.
59
Yob
back slang for boy: a young person who behaves in a violent and offensive way.
60
Yuppie
Young Urban Professional Persons: young professional people living in cities with high income and fashionable lifestyle.
61
a very popular radio serial which has been running since 1951 and relates the life of a family of farmers in the imaginary village of Ambridge
The Archers
62
a racecourse near Windsor, famous for Royal Ascot, a summer meeting attended by royalty and famous for its display of fashion
Ascot
63
a Test cricket series played between England and Australia. The Ashes are regarded as being held by the team that won the last Test series or, if that series was drawn, by the team that last won a series.
The Ashes
64
a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788, set to the tune of a traditional folk song. It is well known in many countries, its traditional use being to bid farewell to the old year at the stroke of midnight. By extension, it is also sung at funerals, graduations and as a farewell or ending to other occasions, like Scout jamborees.
Auld Lang Syne
65
the version of the Bible ordered by King James I and published in 1611. The poetry of its language has had a deep influence upon English literature.
Authorized Version
66
the official public holidays.
Bank holidays
67
a very popular game, mainly played by women in huge bingo halls
Bingo
68
originally a cartoon character that now stands for narrow-mindedness and the refusal of change.
Colonel Blimp
69
16 June 1904, the day when the action of James Joyce's Ulysses takes place. It is celebrated in Dublin but also by lovers of Joyce all over the world.
Bloomsday
70
a yearly race on the River Thames between the rowing teams of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
The Boat Race
71
a price awarded each year for the best British, Irish or Commonwealth novel.
Booker Prize
72
the personification of Britain, a woman with a helmet, trident and shield.
Britannia
73
Britain's national library, and a copyright library (to which authors must send a copy of every book they publish).
British Library
74
a personnification of the typical Englishman: a plain, fat, kindly Englishman resembling a bulldog.
John Bull
75
a major business district located in Tower Hamlets, London. It is one of the city's two main financial centres – along with the traditional City of London – and contains many of the UK's tallest buildings, including the second-tallest, One Canada Square.
Canary Wharf
76
an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They are considered the remnants of the Duchy of Normandy and are not part of the United Kingdom.
The Channel Islands
77
voluntary, independent organizations which are active in the fields of poverty, education, religion, human rights, the care of animals, etc. Strong tradition of supporting charities in Britain.
Charities
78
The financial district of London, where the Bank of England and the Stock Exchange can be found. It is also called the Square Mile.
The City
79
a working-class person from the east of London
Cockney
80
a pun on Rule Britannia, the unofficial National Anthem. It refers to London as the capital of fashion, the arts and the media.
Cool Britannia
81
the street in London where the PM and the Chancellor of the Exchequer live, at numbers 10 and 11 respectively.
Downing Street
82
a festival of drama and music held every August in Edinburgh. It is also known for the Fringe : all the unofficial plays, concerts and comedy shows performed during those weeks. There are many budding performers who start their careers at the Edinburgh Festival.
The Edinburgh Festival
83
the Franco-British agreement signed in 1904.
Entente Cordiale
84
the word refers to the ruling class: the Queen and her family, the aristocracy, the Cabinet and the members of Parliament as well as the leading figures in the world of finance and diplomacy, and in the church.
Establishment
85
hunting, shooting and fishing are called field sports or blood sports since they involve killing animals.
Field Sports
86
the FTSE, or Financial Times Share Index, is published daily and gives the share value of the 100 largest British companies
Footsie
87
two Celtic languages still spoken in the West of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Gaelic
88
a group of 8 of the richest countries in the world (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the U.K. and the U.S.) who meet regularly to discuss economic policies.
G8
89
a members-only private club originally set up by and for British upper class men in the 18th century, and popularised by English upper-middle class men and women in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Today, some clubs are more accommodating about the gender and social status of their members.
Gentleman's club
90
a town in Somerset, famous for a festival of rock music held there every summer
Glastonbury
91
the place near Brighton where an opera festival takes place every summer
Glyndebourne
92
Greenwich Mean Time: the time at the 0° longitude meridian which passes through the Royal Observatory at Greenwich.
G.M.T.
93
also known as Bonfire Night, an annual commemoration observed on 5 November. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. In order to celebrate the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London.
Guy Fawkes Night
94
the Scottish word for New Year's Eve, which is widely celebrated in Scotland. Auld Lang Syne is sung at midnight.
Hogmanay
95
extreme nationalism, often linked with anti-Europeanism
Jingoism
96
A highly patriotic song composed by Elgar and sung on the last night of the Proms.
Land of Hope and Glory
97
appear on the royal arms of Britain : the lion stands for England, the unicorn for Scotland.
The lion and the unicorn
98
a derogatory term referring to the 1970s and 1980s, when many young people were seen as exclusively concerned with money and their own selves.
"Me" generation
99
the former name (though still used) of the British Security Service, which deals with terrorism.
MI5
100
the former name (though still used) of the Secret Intelligence Service, which gathers information about foreign countries.
MI6
101
created in 1994, hugely popular. Gives money to charities and cultural projects.
National Lottery
102
an independent organisation to protect and preserve historic sites (castles, country houses, gardens...).
National Trust
103
the abbreviation for "non upper-class".
Non-U
104
a British literary prize given every year to a work of fiction written in English by a woman from any country in the world.
Orange Prize
105
portmanteau word referring to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
Oxbridge
106
Political Correctness.
P.C.
107
the official royal poet, appointed for life and writes verse for official occasions.
Poet Laureate
108
rememberance day, in November, when people wear poppies (reminiscent in the fields of northern France) in their lapels in memory of those who died in the two World Wars.
Poppy Day
109
short for "promenade concerts", a series of concerts given every summer at the Albert Hall, in London. A large part of the audience has no seats and stands or sits on the floor. The Last Night of the Proms is very popular, well-known songs are performed and the audience joins in.
The Proms
110
Received Pronunciation, the standard way of pronuncing English for middle-class speakers in the South of England.
R.P.
111
the national day of Wales, on 1 March, but not a holiday.
St. David's Day
112
the national day of England, on 23 April, but not a holiday.
St. George's Day
113
the national day of Ireland, on 17 March.
St. Patrick's Day
114
Neither the public nor the private sector, but all kinds of non-profit organizations, charities and community-based associations, which the government would like to encourage.
Third Sector
115
an expression describing the contrast - and sometimes the tension - which is found in many university towns between town (the permanend resident who works there) and gown (the students and staff of the university).
Town and gown
116
the Trade Union Congress, association to which over 70 unions are affiliated. The power of the unions was curbed by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government in the 1980s. Today, trade-unions still have loose links with the Labour Party.
The T.U.C.
117
five literary prizes awarded to British or Irish writers for best novel, best first novel, best biography, best book of poems and best children's book
Whitbread Book of the Year
118
an expression first used by Kipling and referring to colonialism, which was then seen by some as the duty of white people, who had to spread culture and civilization throughout the world.
White man's burden
119
back slang for boy: a young person who behaves in a violent and offensive way.
Yob
120
Young Urban Professional Persons: young professional people living in cities with high income and fashionable lifestyle.
Yuppie

Civilisation (10 decks)

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