London Language

how to be nang

Times Online - how to be nang

The problem with articles about slang is, of course, that they're out of date as soon as they're published. I mean, 'nang' is just so five minutes ago, isn't it?

Billy

balderdash and piffle

BBC - Balderdash and Piffle

This was an enjoyable programme about the OED. The main idea is for viewers and the programme makers to work together to find new info to update the OED. They focused on words where the earliest citation seems too recent, e.g. the earliest citation they've got for 'pear-shaped' is 1983 and the earliest for 'ploughman's lunch' is 1970. I loved the story about 'ploughman's lunch' (the phrase was invented in the late 50's/early 60's as a way of promoting British cheeses) and the literature and beer mats. And I especially liked the scene where Victoria Coren found the phrase in a letter and some minutes while searching the archive with her big white gloves on. The piece on Polari by Mark Ravenhill was also good.

Billy