Boot Linguistics

Boot linguistics is made up of phrases and words used only by Edgar Spears and Barbra McCauliffe.

 Most were coined accidentally when McCauliffe just slipped up attempting to say a real word.

B

### **boot**

*ˈbuːt*

verb: to engage in banter and frivolity related to boot humour

adjective: anything with characteristics typical of boot humour

### **buh-buh-buh-buh-buh**

bʌ-bʌ-bʌ-bʌ-bʌ

a question asked by Barbra McCauliffe to Edgar Spears when they went to Sweden, meaning unknown

C

### **cictial**

 ˈsɪk-ˈtiː-ˈæl

noun: a form of medication.

etymology:

From a conversation on WhatsApp on 25th February 2020:

*[17:07, 25/02/2020] Barbara Mcauliffe : YEAH SAME*

*[17:07, 25/02/2020] Barbara Mcauliffe I LOVE a cheeky cictial*

*[17:07, 25/02/2020] Barbara Mcauliffe COCKTAIL*

*[17:08, 25/02/2020] Edgar Speares: cictial HAHAHHA*

*[17:08, 25/02/2020] Edgar Speares: sounds like medication*

*[17:31, 25/02/2020] Edgar Speares: i love how long that took you to say:*

*[17:31, 25/02/2020] Barbara Mcauliffe HAHAHAHAHA*

*[17:31, 25/02/2020] Edgar Speares 🇬🇧💂🏻🍕: for a joke we'll probably forget in an hour*

D

### **deffo**

*defˈfəʊ*

adverb: a typed abbreviation for definitely, which has also become spoken.

### **disgustgraceful**

*dɪzˈɡʊstˈɡɹeɪsfʊl*

adjective: a portmanteau of disgusting and disgraceful.

F

### **frostical**

*frɒst'ɪkl̩*

(plural: frosticals)

noun: a portmanteau of frost and icicle.

N

### **nn'all**

phrase: a contraction of 'and all', used either to emphasise something additional that is being referred to or simply another way of saying 'as well'.

"*I'd forgotten about that one nn'all*"

R

### **R E**

*ɑː(r)i*

adjective: a version of the word **arty**, meaning to make a strong, affected, or pretentious display of being artistic or interested in the arts.

etymology:

originating from Barbra McCauliffe's mockney way of pronouncing words.

### **ridic**

*ɹɪˈdɪk*

short for **ridiculous**, meaning deserving or inviting derision or mockery; absurd.

S

### **sen'nce**

*sen'əns*

noun: a grammatical unit of one or more words that expresses an independent statement.

### **spald**

*spɒld*

verb: decay or cause to decay by the action of bacteria and fungi; decompose.

"*I wouldn't eat that cake; it looks like it's spalding"*

T

### **tri*an*gle**

*tɹaɪ*əŋ*ɡəl*

noun: a mispronounced form of *tri*angle, the three-sided shape, where the second syllable is stressed instead of the first.

## Idioms

"**better safe than sorry than pavement curry**"

A phrase meaning that it's better to be cautious - to be safe than sorry - than to risk entering a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation. It was coined by Barbra McCauliffe when McCauliffe and Edgar Spears were in Trafalgar Square, the "pavement curry" part referring to being hit and crushed by a passing car.

"**counting yen**"

An uncertain, usually limited period of time extending beyond or postponing the occurrence of something inevitable - another example of this would be describing someone as being on 'borrowed time' or 'Pushing your luck'

"*Did you see Andy's email about overtime? He's really counting his yen with that!"*

"**[to be] out of here quicker than Joe Pasquale**"

To be so displeased by something you want to leave as soon and as quickly as you can.