ext_122933: (Arthur)
Gattodoro ([identity profile] gattodoro.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] loaded_march 2012-09-08 10:22 pm (UTC)

Brit Speak

Hi there, the only slang term for an ambulance that I've heard in the UK is 'meat wagon', though that is very non politically correct and therefore a bit old-fashioned, but I can imagine it being used by someone in a context where some gallows humour comes into play e.g. a very messy murder or fatal accident.

Two resources that you might find useful below. The first is a web page for a now defunct TV show called 'The Bill' explaining some of the jargon and acronyms used (think British version of Hill Street Blues, she says thus showing her age *rolls eyes*). 'The Old Bill' is itself a nickname for the police.

http://thebill.wikia.com/wiki/Police_lingo

The second covers Medical slang terms, including the dying art of insulting acronyms used by doctors to describe patients. it comes from a series of articles published in the British Medical Journal http://www.translationdirectory.com/glossaries/glossary224.php#Terms . I particularly like 'UBI' (Unexplained Beer Injury). See also 'Hasselhoff' and 'TEETH'.

Hope this helps.

'Gatty'

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