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Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
American visiting the UK reveals the essential 'proper and posh' British phrase he NEVER used at home before
A US-based content creator currently visiting the UK has revealed three phrases he never used before he crossed the pond. Content creator and Native Hawaiian Kalani Ghost Hunter, real name Kalani Smith, has spent months travelling around Britain in a bid to immerse himself in the culture. It's believed he usually lives in Tennessee. Throughout his travels, he has picked up a notable amount of classic British language, some of which, he has ended up using with his US friends and family - leaving them confused. He shared these in a recent video which was titled: '3 phrases I NEVER used Until visiting The UK.' The clip was accompanied by a similar caption, which read: '3 phrases I NEVER used, as an American, until visiting the UK The last one is CLASSIC British.' Speaking in the video, Kalani - who has more than 3million followers on TikTok - started by introducing himself to viewers. He said: 'My name is Kalani, and I've spent a lot of time traveling in the UK. And something I've picked up on is I come home with phrases I never said before.' He added that when he then uses these phrases with his friends and family back home, they 'look at [him] with confusion'. Delving into the three phrases, he said: 'Number one is "I fancy a takeaway". Now, to a Brit, this sounds absolutely normal, but in America, we would never call it a takeaway. It's always take out, and I would never say I fancy something.' Kalani noted that the more time he spends around Brits, the more his vocabulary and phrasing change. He continued: 'So "I fancy a takeaway", just means that you want some takeout. But the way that they say it sounds so nice and proper and posh and in the US, we just don't say it that way.' The content creator moved onto the next phrase - one which is likely to be very familiar with any Brit. He said: 'The second one is "put the kettle on". This is a very common saying in the UK [...] this one, I feel like, is a household phrase. Someone's coming over to your house, you're going to tell them you'll put the kettle on. If you're craving a cuppa, you'll put the kettle on.' He then discussed cultural differences between the US and the UK when it comes to the prevalence of kettles. Kalani explained: 'If you've seen my videos in the past, [you will have seen] we do have some kettles in the US, but it is not like the UK. '[The] kettle is something you will find in almost every Brits house. The only other thing that's consistent with a kettle is probably a brolly - or an umbrella, and it's a big part of British hospitality. 'So if someone's selling you, they'll put the kettle on, you're in good standing.' The third phrase he shared used a uniquely British pronunciation of a word used in both the US and UK. 'The final one today,' Kalani revealed,' is 'I can't be a****". ' He continued: 'The US version of this is "I can't be bothered". But it essentially means you don't want to do something, or you're too lazy to do something or care about something.' Concluding the clip, the content creator said: 'To my American friends and family that do not know all of this British lingo I am bringing back home, I say these things and they look at me dumbfounded. 'It's honestly like speaking another language in some ways, but the more I come home, the more I realize you guys are influencing me.' A number of TikTok viewers left comments on the video after watching it, discussing their take on the lanuguage differences A number of commentators shared their own thoughts on the unique qualities of UK slang. One wrote: 'Put the kettle on, isn't a saying or a phrase, it's an instruction. No Brit has ever uttered that particular sentence, and not expected to be presented with a cup of tea, 5 or 6 minutes later.' Another added: 'British swearing is absolutely top tier as well.' Meanwhile a third simply said: 'American English. Is a different language.' 'I love your posts and I am so pleased you have picked up on our them with pride my friend! You are always welcome here!,' said a further TikTok user. In a similar vein, another wrote: 'you should move to the UK it's now your true home my friend and I believe you and your wife will feel so at home big man and please put the kettle on.'
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend June 27-29
On the lookout for some weekend inspiration? From a new exhibition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum that highlights historic luxurious carpets commissioned by Islamic rulers, to a genre-bending Chinese/Mediterranean feast – think mapo tofu lasagne – and Brad Pitt's new film, there is plenty to look forward to over the coming few days. 1. Wonders of Imperial Carpets A room at the Wonders of Imperial Carpets exhibition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Photo: May Tse While carpets are indeed the highlight of this special exhibition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM), 'Wonders of Imperial Carpets: Masterpieces from the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha' has much more to offer than that. Also on display are ceramics, metalwork, manuscripts and jade carvings from the three 'gunpowder empires': the Safavid Empire in Iran (1501-1736), the Mughal Empire in India (1526-1857) and the Ottoman Empire in Turkey (1299-1923). With around 100 items from Qatar's Museum of Islamic Art, Doha on show alongside objects from the Beijing Palace Museum and the HKPM's own collection, this exhibition is a fantastic introduction to each empire and their cultural exchanges. 'Wonders of the Imperial Carpets: Masterpieces from the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha', Hong Kong Palace Museum, 10am-6pm Monday to Thursday (closed Tuesdays), 10am-8pm Fridays and Saturdays.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Terracotta Warriors exhibition to take place in Perth
The world-famous Chinese Terracotta Warriors will be on display in Perth over the next eight months. The exhibition will be shown exclusively in Western Australia, further strengthening the state's robust trade relationship with China. China is Western Australia's largest trading partner, most significantly in iron ore, petroleum, and gold. The Western Australia Museum Boola Bardip will house 10 Terracotta Warriors, which is the maximum amount allowed to leave China.
Times of Oman
6 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Sultan Qaboos institute for Arabic language welcomes 26 international students
Manah: Sultan Qaboos Institute for Teaching Arabic to Non-Native Speakers in the Wilayat Manah, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, welcomed 26 new students from the United Kingdom, the Comoros, Hungary, Brunei Darussalam, Pakistan, India, Vietnam, Tanzania, Ghana, and Iran. An orientation day was organised for the new cohort, beginning with an introductory session featuring the institute's academic and administrative staff, as well as supervisors of the cultural program designed for students. This was followed by a comprehensive tour of the institute's facilities and educational services. The orientation program included a visual presentation on Oman, highlighting its cultural, civilisational, and humanitarian features, as well as the elements that make the country a leading destination for Arabic language learning. Additionally, students received guidance to help them adapt and integrate into Omani society. Beyond Arabic language instruction, the academic programme offers diverse cultural and educational activities, including evening events, lectures, field trips to historical and natural sites, Arabic calligraphy lessons, and a 'Language Partner' initiative to enhance cultural and linguistic interaction with the local community. -ONA
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
The grammar of courage — Shazlin Niza Ab Razak
JUNE 23 — In the heart of Xi'an, a city steeped in history and culture, I stepped into a classroom filled with university students eager to learn English. I was there on academic duty, representing University of Malaya to teach English as part of an international collaboration. Their spoken sentences were far from flawless. Vocabulary was often misused, tenses were inconsistent, and their expressions occasionally bore the marks of direct translation. Yet they spoke. They asked questions, participated freely, and engaged without inhibition. As a Malaysian English lecturer, I found the experience both stirring and eye opening. These students lacked native fluency and grammatical finesse, yet they wielded a far greater asset, unshakable confidence. They spoke with earnestness and audacity, embodying the truth that language is not a measure of precision, but a conduit for authentic communication. This experience illuminated a poignant contrast with what I often witness in Malaysia. English is embedded early in our national curriculum. It is taught from preschool and rigorously assessed in public examinations such as the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and the Malaysian University English Test (MUET). English is present in signage, media, and entertainment. We are, in many ways, surrounded by it. According to the EF English Proficiency Index 2024, Malaysia ranks 25th globally among 113 countries, placing us among the most proficient English users in Asia. This is no small feat. Yet ironically, a pervasive hesitation still clouds our collective ability to speak the language. Why does this contradiction exist? The answer lies in our educational culture. In Malaysia, English is primarily treated as an academic subject rather than a living, breathing means of communication. From a young age, students are trained to memorize grammar rules, compose structured essays, and ace multiple-choice tests. Speaking, however, is often limited to rehearsed oral assessments and rarely fostered in everyday classroom interaction. Mistakes, rather than being seen as natural stepping stones to fluency, are often met with correction, criticism, or even ridicule. A mispronounced word can provoke laughter. A grammatical error may attract scorn. This climate of judgment silences learners long before they have the chance to find their voice. In China, I saw a different philosophy in practice. Despite English not being widely used in their daily lives, students were consistently encouraged to speak. They were not waiting to be perfect before participating. Teachers there emphasised the importance of interaction and self-expression, welcoming flawed attempts as part of the learning process. There was space to make mistakes, and more importantly, space to grow from them. This stark divergence revealed an essential truth: fluency is not born out of faultlessness. It emerges through courage, through practice, and through repeated efforts to be understood. A speaker who dares to try, even imperfectly, is already progressing. The fear of speaking, by contrast, halts learning before it begins. If Malaysia is to advance meaningfully in English communication, we must interrogate our own priorities. We need to ask whether our classrooms nurture expression or merely enforce compliance. Do our students learn to speak with clarity and confidence, or are they simply learning to pass? The time has come to reframe our goals. We must shift the focus from linguistic exactness to communicative competence. Our students should not be conditioned to believe that errors signal failure. On the contrary, they must be taught that every attempt is a sign of progress, and every mistake a mark of courage. To encourage Malaysians to speak English more confidently, we must cultivate supportive environments in both educational and social contexts. Classrooms should integrate more spontaneous speaking tasks, role-playing, and peer conversations. Teachers should model patience, rather than perfectionism. Parents too can play a role, by allowing English to be spoken freely at home without correction becoming a source of shame. Public campaigns and national media could highlight relatable stories of everyday Malaysians using English, celebrating authenticity over accent, and effort over elegance. Workplaces, too, have a role to play. By fostering bilingual expression during meetings and investing in English upskilling programs that prioritise real-time communication over rote drills, they can help dismantle the culture of linguistic fear. We must begin to normalise learning through experience, not just through textbooks. Yet, despite our efforts, the fear still lingers. Why? Malaysia has never been starved of English lessons, textbooks, or media exposure. What we lack is the freedom to falter. To encourage Malaysians to speak English more confidently, we must cultivate supportive environments in both educational and social contexts. — Unsplash pic For too long, we have taught our learners that a misplaced verb or a mispronounced word is something to fear, something shameful. The result is a generation that knows the rules but hesitates to speak. Not because they are incapable, but because they are afraid of being laughed at, corrected, or dismissed. This fear is not a reflection of one's intellect, but of a system that punishes imperfection. It is a failure of how we have made English feel like a test of worth instead of a bridge to be crossed. For that, I am deeply grateful. Teaching in Xi'an did more than show me how language is learned. It reminded me of what it means to try without fear. My students there, with all their imperfections, taught me courage in its purest form. They spoke not to impress, but to connect. And in doing so, they rekindled my hope that Malaysian learners, too, can find their voices, if only we create the space for them to speak. So, fellow Malaysians, step beyond your comfort zone. English should never be a gatekeeper. It should be a gateway. And it is time we opened that gateway wide, not just with knowledge, but with empathy, patience, and the audacity to speak. * Shazlin Niza Ab Razak English Language Lecturer at the Centre for Foundation Studies in Science (Pasum), Universiti Malaya, and may be reached at [email protected] ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
