Question about British phrases

[GH85Carrera]

Watching the F1 race and hearing different British speakers I have heard the phrase (I think) that is "give it some Wellie" for going faster. What is the exact phrase and what is the derivation? Or where does it really mean? I hear the term from Mike Brewer on Wheeler Dealers a lot.

Also I heard the announcers for the F1 race, all of whom are British speak of the "Union Jacks" which is obviously the flag. I have heard the term but I heard one long impassioned comment that it is only a Union Jack when it is on a ship in the British Navy.

I have to assume three British announcers (even if they are for a US broadcast) know the correct term for a British flag.

[Cooper911SC]

Just a WAG here... "Wellies" = Wellington Boots.

Hence "Give it the boot" ?

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by Cooper911SC

Just a WAG here... "Wellies" = Wellington Boots.

Hence "Give it the boot" ?

Basically, yes^^.

The phrase means to give it a kick, put some force into it or "step on it" as in American slang. Probably from the Wellington boots as you surmise.

[tabs]

U Boyz are out past the Black Stump...with your fishing around for the one eyed brown mullets.

[snbush67]

And bobs your uncle.

[DanielDudley]

I think it was originally quick as you can say Bob's your uncle.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Watching the F1 race and hearing different British speakers I have heard the phrase (I think) that is "give it some Wellie" for going faster. What is the exact phrase and what is the derivation? Or where does it really mean? I hear the term from Mike Brewer on Wheeler Dealers a lot.

Also I heard the announcers for the F1 race, all of whom are British speak of the "Union Jacks" which is obviously the flag. I have heard the term but I heard one long impassioned comment that it is only a Union Jack when it is on a ship in the British Navy.

I have to assume three British announcers (even if they are for a US broadcast) know the correct term for a British flag.

Wellie is from the boot as has been said.
Union Jack is common vernacular for the flag. Technically it is only correct to call it that when it's on a ship, but no one cares. It's the Union Jack. Full stop. End of.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Watching the F1 race and hearing different British speakers I have heard the phrase (I think) that is "give it some Wellie" for going faster. What is the exact phrase and what is the derivation? Or where does it really mean? I hear the term from Mike Brewer on Wheeler Dealers a lot.

Also I heard the announcers for the F1 race, all of whom are British speak of the "Union Jacks" which is obviously the flag. I have heard the term but I heard one long impassioned comment that it is only a Union Jack when it is on a ship in the British Navy.

I have to assume three British announcers (even if they are for a US broadcast) know the correct term for a British flag.

Apparently, the term "Union Jack" has some element of dispute. Officially, as of 1909, the flag can be referred to as either the "Union Flag" or the "Union Jack" though some still insist a "jack" is only a flag raised on a ship's staff.

"it is often stated that the Union Flag should only be described as the Union Jack when flown in the bows of a warship, but this is a relatively recent idea. From early in its life the Admiralty itself frequently referred to the flag as the Union Jack, whatever its use, and in 1902 an Admiralty circular announced that Their Lordships had decided that either name could be used officially. In 1908, a government minister stated, in response to a parliamentary question, that "the Union Jack should be regarded as the National flag".[13][18]

Notwithstanding Their Lordships' circular of 1902, by 1913 the Admiralty described the "Union Flag" and added in a foot note that 'A Jack is a Flag to be flown only on the "Jack" Staff'.[19]

However, the authoritative A Complete Guide to Heraldry published in 1909 by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies uses the term "Union Jack".[20]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Jack

"t is often stated that the Union Flag should only be described as the Union Jack when flown in the bows of a warship, but this is a relatively recent idea. From early in its life the Admiralty itself frequently referred to the flag as the Union Jack, whatever its use, and in 1902 an Admiralty Circular announced that Their Lordships had decided that either name could be used officially. Such use was given Parliamentary approval in 1908 when it was stated that “the Union Jack should be regarded as the National flag”.
https://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/british-flags/the-union-jack-or-the-union-flag/

I definitely don't have enough to do on a Sunday afternoon.

[JavaBrewer]

Sounds reasonable.

Also note:

Men don't wear pants. They wear trousers. Pants in GB are panties in the US.
If a guy in the UK asks you for a fag...its a cigarette. No sex wanted...mostly.
In the UK chips are french fries and what the US calls chips are crisps in the UK.
Bangers, mash, and beans. Get some in a GB pub you enjoy.

[rusnak]

[look 171]

I was watching an older British and this woman kept saying "Cock off". Is that Fk off for us? When I was a kid, this English woman ask if I want some sweets. A few years later, I found out sweet is candy.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by look 171

I was watching an older British and this woman kept saying "Cock off". Is that Fk off for us? When I was a kid, this English woman ask if I want some sweets. A few years later, I found out sweet is candy.

I usually hear it as "sweeties". I would have thought that was fairly obvious.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by masraum

I usually hear it as "sweeties". I would have thought that was fairly obvious.

I may have been 5

Australian slang are even difficult to understand

[944 S2]

Originally Posted by Cooper911SC

Just a WAG here... "Wellies" = Wellington Boots.

Hence "Give it the boot" ?

That would be correct sir!

[GH85Carrera]

Thanks, I was guessing fairly accurately.

I would never try to get very far with Australian slang. That would take a book.

[look 171]

Last time I was in a bus with 4 Aussies that took over the back. I think they used slang in every one of their sentences. I took me a day or two just to catch up with what they were saying. A little alcohol around dinner, my girl friend (now wife) and I needed a translator.

[RKDinOKC]

Called a software company in London once. The receptionist that answered the phone spoke english and didn't use any slang. But her accent was so thing it took me several seconds to process what she said and answer. I had to appologize and ask her to speak slower as I was one o' them southern gents from America and it sure made my little ol' head hurt a tryin ta figger out what it was she was a sayin, and really threw on the southern drawl. She laughed and slowed down.

Was sure glad the tech I talked to didn't have such a thick accent.

[gulf908]

After several hundred years,you Yanks are still having trouble with the English language .....
Aussie slang is based along the same lines as Cockney rhyming slang
You guys have to get out and about a bit more .....

cheers
Dennis

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by gulf908

After several hundred years,you Yanks are still having trouble with the English language .....
Aussie slang is based along the same lines as Cockney rhyming slang
You guys have to get out and about a bit more .....

cheers
Dennis

Well we did ship most of the criminals from London there at one point...

[sand_man]

bol·locks

ˈbäləks/Submit
British vulgar slang

noun
1. the testicles.
2. used to express contempt, annoyance, or defiance.