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While listening to my iTunes on shuffle, I was reminded of how many songs I misinterpreted before I was acquainted with English slang. Partly because my obsession with English music was in my pre-early teen years I made up explanations that really, in the end, made no sense at all.

For example, The Specials "Too Much too Young", a pro-contraception song, had the mysterious ending lyrics of "Keep a generation gap / Try wearing a cap!" I know those English winters were cold, but was wearing, as I imagined, a wool hat actually going to keep people from having sex? Was there a big problem of people just fucking to keep warm? The adult world was so mysterious.

That it was referring to cervical caps, contraception not available in the States at that time, made it extra obscure. Now it’s more of a quaint look back at the pre-AIDS world.

The classic English-ism, misinterpreted by generations of political punks was, of course, the end of "Anarchy in the UK". Hearing "Get pissed! Destroy!" as an American was a call to arms. Understand who is oppressing you and rise up against them! Get angry at this fucked-up society and take action!

It was disheartening to discover the message of Get drunk! Break stuff! later in life.

Anyone else have some to share? Misinterpretations, not mis-hearings.

"pissed"

Date: 2004-06-15 10:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bebopmonkey.livejournal.com
The Canadians use that one too. There was much confusion when i was in high school, hanging out with Cananda Ken, and he said "Im fuckin pissed!"

Silence... "what are you pissed at, ken?"
"!!! I'm pissed... at the beer?!"
"What you dont like american beer?"
"I dont care, it gets me pissed." and so on...

It was like "who's on first," only Canadian

Re: "pissed"

Date: 2004-06-15 11:01 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gordonzola.livejournal.com
that's great. You should immediately incorporate that into your country-swing band's act and tour Canada.

Funny you should mention

Date: 2004-06-15 11:11 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bebopmonkey.livejournal.com
We were just discussing that. Did you know that since NAFTA, musicians have to pay a $400 entrance fee if they're gigging in Cananda? What type of shit is that? Why dont they hit up the doctors and lawyers for being "too rich" instead. Man.

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