In this first episode of Pants in the Boot Series 4, we talk about how we identify different times of the day during which we eat named meals. Is it elevenses, dinner, supper, tea, or something altogether different? At least we agree on breakfast. I think.

Seven Meals a Day

Glenn Fleishman with Annette Wierstra, Antony Johnston, Chris Phin, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign and James Thomson

Primary school, grammar school, magnet school, comprehensive, college, university, faculty, and more. Our global English-speaking brains are abuzz as we try to comprehend exactly how each part of the world describes (and charges for) the institutions that educate children and young adults.

An Accredited Podcast

Glenn Fleishman with Alice Fraser, Chris Phin, James Thomson and Kathy Campbell

In an inevitable episode in this series, we talk obscenity. Those of faint constitutions should avoid getting their knickers in a twist as panelists from Scotland, Australia, and the U.S. of A. discuss varying attitudes about the f word, the c word, the t word, and a lot of other words we can’t readily list in this description. We dive deep into what constitutes offensive words, too.

Codswallop

Glenn Fleishman with Alice Fraser, Chris Phin, James Thomson and Kathy Campbell

Usually, we’re explaining English to each other. This time, US panelists are desperate to understand the largely UK art of panto, a kind of stylized broad style of show, popular around Christmas, full of stereotypes and archetypes, risqué and beloved by children and adults.

Look behind you!

Glenn Fleishman with Kathy Campbell, Alice Fraser, Chris Phin and James Thomson

If you wear fancy dress in the US or the UK, you might show up in tails. However, in the former, that would be a tuxedo and the latter, potentially the back half of a horse costume. Our panelists for this and the next stretch of episodes dig into what to wear and what not to wear, including the lack of a modern code for mourning dress.

Don’t be half a horse’s ass

Glenn Fleishman with Kathy Campbell, Alice Fraser, Chris Phin and James Thomson

American panelists finally hear the difference between ma’am and mum when referring to, for instance, the bloody Queen of England! Yes, we talk mom, mom, and mum; aunt and aunt; and the names we call our grandparents in various regions.

It aunt necessary so

Glenn Fleishman with Antony Johnston, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign and James Thomson

The North Americans challenge their UK panelists to please, please, please explain what lemonade means, since it’s not “lemons, sugar, and water.” The answer will surprise you. But then we discover ginger as a generic. It’s all sweet fizzy water with fake lemon (or Lymon) in the end.

What’s up, BRU?

Glenn Fleishman with Antony Johnston, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign and James Thomson

We’re all lumberjacks and we’re okay, we chop down words, and we read dictionar—ies! Panelists get to the bottom of suspenders and braces, and James explains how he used to visualize Wall Street financial wizards. All we can say is, honi soit qui mal y pants.

Brace yourself

Glenn Fleishman with Antony Johnston, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign and James Thomson

We thought the difference between a truck and a lorry wouldn’t be a bumpy road. But when we get into it, we find a trash fire, Dumpster trademarks, and a confusion over caravans, and ultimately articulate the differences.

Keep on truckin’

Glenn Fleishman with Antony Johnston, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign and James Thomson

Panelists try to avoid getting their knickers in a twist while discussing the disparate—sometimes obscene—meanings of words that address the back of our front: fanny, butt, bum, ass, and arse.

Fanny Anny Foh Fanny

Glenn Fleishman with Antony Johnston, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign and James Thomson