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Wednesday 11 January 2012

"Being Mother"

It's not often any more that Ross uses an idiom that I haven't heard before.  After more than 3 years together, I know most of his phrases- even if they required translation at first.

The other day after we'd tried to see Coriolanus (shaky cameras and lots of loud gunfire was a no-go for me and the baby, so we left after about 30 minutes), we went to Pizza Express for some dinner.  We got a garlic bread and a salad to share as a starter.  I started to divvy up the garlic bread and Ross said, "Are you being mother?"

As my mom will attest, Ross is a low talker/mumbler sometimes.  I hadn't quite caught what he said, so asked him to repeat himself.  On seeing my face, Ross said "Do you not know that phrase?"  He then explained to me that it is a (Northern) British phrase, generally used regarding pouring tea.  If someone asks "Will you be mother?" it means "Will you pour the tea?"

Being mother

It is one of those utterly charming phrases that just makes me smile.  Maybe it's because I'm about to actually be a mother, but it has such a sweet feel to it.  It brings to mind images of mom dishing up food for the family, as they gather around to share a meal.

So there you go... a little British phrase for your vocabulary.
Next time we meet up, will you be mother?

What's your favourite idiom?
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6 comments:

  1. Michelle Morahan12 January 2012 at 15:11

    LOL, at least Ross catches on that you don't know what the phrase means. Darren just repeats the phrase until I actually ask, "what does that mean?". Every once in a while he still pulls out some strange phrase I haven't heard before. I like this one!

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  2. Brenda24 January 2012 at 22:15

    That is a cute saying! :)

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  3. jamesmalinmoore11 May 2012 at 22:55

    I just learned this from the Judge in the next dept over (at the court)- funny because my father is from England (Sheffield- so pretty northern, though no Yorkshire accent) and I've never heard it. I think it's great. Maybe I'll start using it and pretend I got it from my dad :)

    -Does your husband ever ask for a "cupa"? (pretty obvious, but it's short for a cup of tea)

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    Replies
    1. Unknown11 May 2012 at 23:06

      That's great!
      Ross doesn't really ever say "cupa", but then he never really drinks traditional British tea. He's more a coffee/herbal tea kind of guy. :)

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  4. Daniela14 May 2012 at 14:16

    Thanks to this blog I finally understood how I had to translate that sentence, it was driving me insane! Thanks a lot

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