Questions for our British friends

[palo5]

A question about language, because there's great amusement in our press

At a party conference some days ago, a previous UK Foreign Minister said his country must support "grafters and grifters". Everyone had a "Did-he-really-say-that?" moment because we are taught "grafters" are "corrupt bribe-takers" and "grifters" are "con-men"

Did he mean something different?

[Wendigo]

Originally Posted by palo5

A question about language, because there's great amusement in our press

At a party conference some days ago, a previous UK Foreign Minister said his country must support "grafters and grifters". Everyone had a "Did-he-really-say-that?" moment because we are taught "grafters" are "corrupt bribe-takers" and "grifters" are "con-men"

Did he mean something different?

Who knows, it was Boris and no one really knows what goes on in his mind

[vinceprince]

Originally Posted by palo5

A question about language, because there's great amusement in our press

At a party conference some days ago, a previous UK Foreign Minister said his country must support "grafters and grifters". Everyone had a "Did-he-really-say-that?" moment because we are taught "grafters" are "corrupt bribe-takers" and "grifters" are "con-men"

Did he mean something different?

Well it was Boris. So this could be a loaded question.

Grafter is usually used for a hard-worker.

I think you mean Grifters which does mean dishonest gamblers and swindlers.

Well, it was intended for Hardcore Brexiteers who seemed to lap it up.
Say no more.

[palo5]

Originally Posted by vinceprince

Grafter is usually used for a hard-worker.

I think you mean Grifters which does mean dishonest gamblers and swindlers.

He said "Grafter and grifter", there's no mistaking it. It was replayed a number of times, and caused great amusement, even if he did mean something else

Good Mr Hunt's Korean wife didn't say that

[bjcb0]

Originally Posted by palo5

A question about language, because there's great amusement in our press

At a party conference some days ago, a previous UK Foreign Minister said his country must support "grafters and grifters". Everyone had a "Did-he-really-say-that?" moment because we are taught "grafters" are "corrupt bribe-takers" and "grifters" are "con-men"

Did he mean something different?

I think this is a Boris Freudian slip. The corrupt connotation of "grafter" is slightly archaic in British English, but it's certainly there. As I recall, "grifter" is only an alteration of "grafter", so he's in senseless rhetoric mode. It will be interesting to see how he attempts to extricate himself. My prediction is that he will claim "grafter" in the botanical sense, but who knows?

[vinceprince]

Originally Posted by palo5

He said "Grafter and grifter", there's no mistaking it. It was replayed a number of times, and caused great amusement, even if he did mean something else

Good Mr Hunt's Korean wife didn't say that

I'm not disputing he said it.

Your quote said we are taught "grafters" are "corrupt bribe-takers" and "grifters" are "con-men".

It was the use of grifter that was questioned in the press and social media.

https://www.indy100.com/article/bori...afters-8565156

British speakers will generally understand grafter as a hard-worker in this context and is mostly used for this. I've never heard it used for a 'bribe taker' though it may be in some dictionaries.

[palo5]

Originally Posted by vinceprince

British speakers will generally understand grafter as a hard-worker in this context and is mostly used for this. I've never heard it used for a 'bribe taker' though it may be in some dictionaries.

Oh! We understood it this way:

graft

noun

1. the acquisition of money, gain, or advantage by dishonest, unfair, or illegal means, especially through the abuse of one's position or influence in politics, business, etc.
2. a particular instance, method, or means of thus acquiring gain or advantage.
3. the gain or advantage acquired

Since he said "grift" in the same breath, it was particularly noticeable

[haroldeye]

Strangely in English 'Graft' means money or services offered for favours. It also means work. People can be 'hard graftors' meaning hard workers or 'grafting' working.

[Mal Hombre]

This is a Grifter...

[Sir Honkers]

Originally Posted by haroldeye

Strangely in English 'Graft' means money or services offered for favours. It also means work. People can be 'hard graftors' meaning hard workers or 'grafting' working.

It also means spending weeks carefully following the nurseryman's instructions on how to graft lime onto a lemon tree only to wait three years for one greeny yellow piece of fruit. Tastes alright though