The FastDay Forum

Hey, Brits! Why do you call it "the surgery" when it's just the doctor's office? You wouldn't have surgery there, would you? You would have surgery in the hospital, or as you would say, have it in hospital.

Hey, Brits! Why do you call it "the surgery" when it's just the doctor's office? You wouldn't have surgery there, would you?[/i]

Historically you would have had surgery at the doctor's office, assuming you had the luxury of having a doctor in your community and didn't have to rely on crude treatment at the hands of a travelling surgeon, who was also available to cut your hair and trim your beard - and that was just for the women!

[Debs]

Doctors still carry out minor procedures in their surgery, but they would have carried out things such as splinter or other item removal, stitching. I remember our doctor stitching up my sister after she fell down the steps and put her teeth through her bottom lip.
We used to say what has that to do with the price of bananas!

Agree with @DashingBob
Yep, I reckon the doctors' surgery is probably historically accurate.

When my MiL was here this summer she commented on being pleased that the doctor was coming to the village hall- (VERY unlikely as this is more of a hamlet than a village). I checked the poster she'd seen, it was for a councillor's 'surgery'. Why on earth politicians use the word I don't know!

[Debs]

Because they are under the mistaken impression that they can 'fix' peoples problems?
More often they just make a total dog's breakfast of everything they touch!! Another Britishism, along with its counterpart 'the dog's b*****s'!!

Yes, politicians surgeries, pretentious rubbish I reckon. Anyone ever been to one?

No, but I keep getting news letters from our local MP because I wrote to him as part of a campaign on a local issue. They arrive in my junk mail and get treated accordingly!

Yes my doctors surgery does do minor surgery such as cysts + polyps+ whatever he can get his hands on

must crack on. ? Sue.

And nobody's mentioned "Scottish" yet . . . ! Indecipherable to many other UK residents . . .

1) geez a haun - give me a hand ( ie help me!)

2) what's up wi' yer face ? - why are you looking so miserable , annoyed etc. ?

3) I'm fair wabbit. - I'm pretty tired

4 ) it geez me the boak - it makes me feel sick

5) goin' fur a wee swallee. - going out for a drink ( or 3 ! )

6) goaney no dae that ! - Please don't do that !

7) 'mone hen - come away my dear ( eg, let's go! )

. . . to name bit a few !

Lovely to hear everyone's version of the English language , be you from Oz , USA or wherever . Our common bond here is 5:2 and a desire to shed pounds / kilos and be generally healthier - in fact I'd say to everyone , " Dinna fass yersel'" ie keep calm and dont worry !

It's a braw bright moonlight nicht the nicht , and we're a' richt , ye ken ! ( it's a lovely bright moonlit night tonight , and we're ok, you know!)

Vive la difference , I say !