RayH Posted 18 years ago
Vocabulary
Can anyone explain this Briticism from Spooks (MI-5)
This is a dialog snippet from the TV program known as Spooks in the U. K. and MI-5 in the U. S. Specifically from season (series) 2, Episode 3.
When we join the scene we are inside a tent at a stake-out where the surveillance equipment is setup. Tom and a technician are verifying that everything works. As they work they are joined by Anton. Tom is the boss.
ENGINEER (Anton) (quite posh):
Jolly stuffy in here sir.
TOM: Accent’s a bit Bow Bells Anton.
ENGINEER (Anton): Righty-ho. Point taken.
Anton then promptly exits the tent.
I know that "Bow Bells" refers to St.Mary-le-Bow Church within the sound of whose bells one must be born in order to be considered a true cockney. What I don't understand is why this comment elicits the response it does from Anton. Can anyone explain? What "point" did Anton take from this exchange?
When we join the scene we are inside a tent at a stake-out where the surveillance equipment is setup. Tom and a technician are verifying that everything works. As they work they are joined by Anton. Tom is the boss.
ENGINEER (Anton) (quite posh):
Jolly stuffy in here sir.
TOM: Accent’s a bit Bow Bells Anton.
ENGINEER (Anton): Righty-ho. Point taken.
Anton then promptly exits the tent.
I know that "Bow Bells" refers to St.Mary-le-Bow Church within the sound of whose bells one must be born in order to be considered a true cockney. What I don't understand is why this comment elicits the response it does from Anton. Can anyone explain? What "point" did Anton take from this exchange?
Top answer
A silly series with a silly script. Tom is being sarcastic.
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Feebs11 A silly series with a silly script.Not exactly responsive. Of course it's silly, I dare say any of us would be hard pressed to name a TV show that's not silly.
Feebs11Tom is being sarcastic.Not exactly informative. At the risk of repeating myself, what "point" did Anton take from his exchange with Tom?
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I've never seen the show but looks like
Tom is telling Anton that his accent is a little to "Cockney".
I think Anton was trying to sound sofisticated...but failed. (he obviously sounds very "common")
In the U.K., as far as I can tell, (I'm from Canada,but watch a lot of Brit-coms) the way people speak is a source for much humour, mockery, respect, loathing, etc.
So - An
Tom is telling Anton that his accent is a little to "Cockney".
I think Anton was trying to sound sofisticated...but failed. (he obviously sounds very "common")
In the U.K., as far as I can tell, (I'm from Canada,but watch a lot of Brit-coms) the way people speak is a source for much humour, mockery, respect, loathing, etc.
So - An
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RayHFeebs11 A silly series with a silly script.Not exactly responsive. Of course it's silly, I dare say any of us would be hard pressed to name a TV show that's not silly.Feebs11Tom is being sarcastic.Not exactly informative. At the risk of repeating myself, what "point" did Anton take fro
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samuraifingersHope this helps!Thanks, Nick. You're the only person who has replied who didn't feel obliged to make snide remarks about my viewing habits and otherwise come off as
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RayH to make snide remarks about my viewing habits and otherwise come off asNo reflection on your viewing habits. A comment on the awfulness of this kind of TV series which does no great service to the BBC's reputation.a smart ***unhelpful.
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Tom's comment about the accent might have been a pun triggered by Anton saying "Jolly stuffy in here..." Stuffy, besides meaning lack of fresh air, can also mean prim, aloof, overly formal when referring to a person.
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I like Spooks. It's a great bbc series.
I think Tom may be telling Anton to bring his accent down a bit to unexception
I think Tom may be telling Anton to bring his accent down a bit to unexception
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