Questions for our American friends

[grossnex]

Originally Posted by Oswald

Hello to our American cousins.

When I have occasionally watched an American film (movie ) I quite often hear the expression 'douchebag' and I wonder what it actually means?

Ooh ooh I know this one ! I use that expression all the time. Whenever I'm describing someone to whom I can find no redeeming value at all - he/she's a douchebag. It's a more effective way of calling someone an asshole.

The feminine hygiene product (douche) isn't sold in a bag, so it's not even a real word. But, if someone cuts you off while driving & doesn't apologize somehow - douchebag!!

You're out at a restaurant with your girl/wife/significant other having a drink at the bar & a guy comes up & hits on her while you're standing right there - douchebag!!

There are plenty of other examples, but I think you're getting the point now.

[tygrkhat40]

"Douchebag" was a very popular term when I was in college in the late 70's-early 80's, and then I didn't hear it any more. Then a few years back, it came back with a vengance.

[grossnex]

Originally Posted by tygrkhat40

"Douchebag" was a very popular term when I was in college in the late 70's-early 80's, and then I didn't hear it any more. Then a few years back, it came back with a vengance.

That's because you're up in Buffalo my brother. You guys are a lot nicer up there. Cool people . If you would've gone to college at NYU or Columbia you would have heard that expression every day .

[clonevs]

it might just be in the military, but we often use the word "douche"
i think it's a way to lighten' the derrogatory term...we similarly use "ass" instead of asshole. IG; when referring to a member of leadership it is to common to hear or say "what a douche"....or "he's an ass"...then again we abbreviate 75% of words in the military too.
i hadn't heard the word "tool" until the military. this is usually used to describe one who is somewhat physically fit but has little intelligence.

[clonevs]

Originally Posted by keefriff

It means that it is 7:50. Ten minutes until 8 as we say it here in the Midwest.

to piggyback on that....and this most common in the midwest...but most American's when describing distance for driving, rarely give actual distance. instead we us time. How far is it to the fill in the blank. Answer "about 20minutes". I think this is due to how most of our large cities have alot of vehicle traffic (because outside of NYC...EVERYONE drives). It would be foolish for me to tell someone that to go from say.....LAX to Staples is about 12miles, which I am guessing. But what I would tell them is....depending on day of week and time of day...it takes x number of minutes.

One other thing off topic...but spending alot of time overseas and working with different people from around the world. I am guilty of this as well too. Americans care about four Holidays and in this order; Christmas, Thanksgiving, Independence Day (4th of July), and Easter....and working Americans add Memorial Day/Labor Day. We are baffled at anyone who has other Holidays...and as baffled that the world doesn't observe those four like the States does. It is how we are raised.

[sydney1]

Originally Posted by tygrkhat40

"Douchebag" was a very popular term when I was in college in the late 70's-early 80's, and then I didn't hear it any more. Then a few years back, it came back with a vengance.

Here in 'Dear ol' Blighty' (Limey land) we had a similar experience with the noun, Pikey. It was originally used to describe someone who travels between the turnpikes. i.e. A Gypsy.

Now, it just means someone from the peasant underclass. i.e. Scum.

As in, "Give me that back, you thieving pikey b@stard!"

[torwell]

Originally Posted by tygrkhat40

I've heard some Canadians say "oot" and "aboot," specifically the late Peter Jennings on ABC News, just not as exagerated as most would say it.

It's exactly that 'not as exaggerated' bit I'm referring to. The sound we Canadians make is almost impossible to describe except by using technical phonetic jargon. To a linguist (and, yes, I am a linguist) it doesn't sound anything like 'oot'.
If anyone actually cares, the International Phonetic Alphabet representation of Canadian 'out' is [^wt]. American 'out' is [awt] or even [æwt]. 'oot' would be [u:t].

With your Toronto area relatives, you must be familiar with the Central Canadian r sound, which is another dead giveaway for Canadian speakers. It has to be heard to be believed.

Cheers, Torwell

[Mufflover]

The "aoot" [^wt] sound before unvoiced consonants is also a feature of the traditional speech of the "Tidewater" areas of Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina. Especially Tidewater Virginia.

[lovegod]

" Space" from Toronto .... is an awesome guy !

[demsal8]

Originally Posted by grossnex

The feminine hygiene product (douche) isn't sold in a bag, so it's not even a real word. But, if someone cuts you off while driving & doesn't apologize somehow - douchebag!!

Maybe it's just because I'm a little older than most of you, but from my childhood I do remember a douchbag. It was a device to allow women to douche and consisted of a rubber bag, open top, maybe pint size, with a long hose (4 ft?) and a plastic nozzle on the end which was 6 to 8 inches long as I remember. Found one in my aunt's bathroom one day and wondered what it was for. Figured it out much later. Back then a premade mix wasn't sold in the stores. I think they just used water with maybe a light vinegar additive.

IN FACT, now that I think about it, I remember Dorthy Provine appearing in the first television commercial ever advertising a Feminime Hygiene Product, specifically a pre-mixed fluid to be used by ladies. It was quite scandalous at the time. Don't remember the exact date, but let's say about 1960.

Found a reference in one of the obituary notices from earlier this year:
www.emulsioncompulsion.com/2010/.../dig-a-hole-dorothy-provine
And the quote is:

If I am not mistaken, and if I am one of you will let me know, Ms. Provine was the first actress to appear as a feminine hygiene spokeswoman. Even before Brenda Vaccaro, Ms. Provine encouraged women to use Feminique Feminine Deodorant Hygiene Spray. Why Feminique? Because it made her feel confident! I looked everywhere but could not find one of the commercials. Get to work, my loyal readers!