Pants on the Ground

In  the British Commonwealth and surrounding locales,  the word ‘bugger’ is used as in ‘bugger off!’  which would be similar to our  “F” word. Here, 'bugger' is more a form of endearment.  Darren and Arlene, from Northern Ireland, visited a few summers ago, and their eyes grew wide with astonishment when I introduced our nine month old grandson,  “This is John, isn’t he a cute little bugger?”

A memorable ‘Lost in the Translation’ conversation I had was with Darren who first visited us as an 11 year old back in the 1990’s. We had been told that, because of Northern Ireland’s cool climate, kids weren't used to wearing shorts, so we might have to coax him into putting them on in our hot, humid Minnesota summer weather.  Well, no one told me the word ‘pants’ means ‘underwear’ over there, so one very hot morning Darren had on his long pants or should I say,‘trousers...’
“Oh Darren,”  I smiled, “maybe you should put on some shorts; NO ONE wears pants here in the summer—I don’t wear pants, Steve doesn't wear pants, the kids don’t wear pants—Pants are just WAY TOO HOT!!!”  His crimson face should have been the give-away, and thinking back, I don’t recall ever having to launder any underwear that long, sweltering summer…              
©2011, Jana B. Patrick 

P.S. Arlene, that bear in Wisconsin is STILL dead...
(In an ice cream shop, Alana had pointed out a taxidermied bear, "Arlene, Look at that bear behind you."   Arlene turned and screamed and almost hit the ceiling. ) 
Arlene recently wrote:  "our anniversary is the 3rd of june, we are heading up to Bangor to stay on a wee farm in the country for a few days-- am really excited-- no bears tho, lol. everytime i eat ice cream i still think about that-- was soooooo funny lol."
Happy First Anniversary, Darren and Arlene!
PPS-  Arlene just reminded me;  I use the word 'Nook'  (a brand) or nookie to mean a baby's pacifier--I guess it also means sex.  Here's her comment today:- Jana, I'll also never forget you saying to that man in the harbour (in Northern Ireland) that wee boy has lost his nookie-- my face near hit the ground!