Bonked

I have come across the phrase "I bonked" referring to being on a bike a couple of times recently. I was somewhat taken aback initially. Then I was intrigued as to how such a thing could be managed :confused: Then I decided that this term must mean something different in the US than it does in the UK (separated by a common language and all that). If it does not mean something different, then I'm back to being intrigued and maybe even a little alarmed! :eek:

In the UK 'I bonked' means I got frisky and did the business in lurve!!;)

lol. Your definition is way more exciting than ours. I think I'd like to have that exciting of a life, maybe.

But anyways, when someone says they bonked while on a bike ride, they just mean that they ran out of energy - generally fixed or avoided by using some energy gel or drink.

LOL, well I guess if the British version is does right, energy gell or a drink might still be beneficial ;)

Well, context really matters where this term is concerned - it also means that in the US side of the pond. When I first started hearing this word used in a cycling context my inner teenager had a great time with it :D

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Originally Posted by Catrin

Well, context really matters where this term is concerned - it also means that in the US side of the pond. When I first started hearing this word used in a cycling context my inner teenager had a great time with it :D

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On this side of the US that meaning is covered by the word "boink."

"Bonk" over here is the onomatopoeia meaning to hit something "I bonked my head on the wall" or to hit the metaphorical wall while riding "I bonked while climbing Phinney Ridge."

Or at least that's what those words meant 30 years ago, when I was a teenager. :rolleyes:

Perhaps it was just a regional thing then. Where I grew up there was a decided sexual context (if crude) - as well as the "hitting a barrier" meaning.

yeah, I guess in the dim years of my adolescence, I remember bonk as an action verb. Oh wait, I grew up on the east coast...
We mostly bonk our heads here nowadays though.
But here's OUR definition: To watch a cyclist bonking is pretty strange. they get goofy and spacy. they can be revived with time with plenty of liquid and some food.

I defiantly recall the term being used both as a sports term and slag or derogatory term for something sexual...

I'm almost sure it was an 80's ad campaign that featured the phrase after a famous athlete "bonked" in a big event or something like that.

Just for you guys:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bonk

According to it, the term bonk has fallen out of use by cyclists because of the alternative sexual meanings.

We are behind the times, girls.

Lol! I've never heard "bonk" used in a sexual way in the US. Could be that it's regional or generational, though.

Cataboo, I looked at the link and I see the last example used by cyclist is I bonked really badly. Now no-one wants to bonk badly :o

We had a guy running for local office around here recently whose name is Dr. Bonk.

Language is so fun. In the US one might say "Goodness, I'm stuffed" after a big meal."

Probably not a good idea in the UK, or at least it wasn't when I went there some time ago.

My sympathies to Dr. Bonk, though if he's running for office it must not bother him.

uhoh what does stuffed mean in the UK?

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Originally Posted by stella2

I have come across the phrase "I bonked" referring to being on a bike a couple of times recently. I was somewhat taken aback initially. Then I was intrigued as to how such a thing could be managed :confused: Then I decided that this term must mean something different in the US than it does in the UK (separated by a common language and all that). If it does not mean something different, then I'm back to being intrigued and maybe even a little alarmed! :eek:

In the UK 'I bonked' means I got frisky and did the business in lurve!!;)

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My parents are from the UK and so I got exposed to a lot of British TV growing up. I had to explain this definition to my boyfriend when I first got into cycling...after I stopped laughing. I think I actually said "You can do that on a bike? Damn, you're talented!"

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Originally Posted by stella2

Cataboo, I looked at the link and I see the last example used by cyclist is I bonked really badly. Now no-one wants to bonk badly :o

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I believe there are some people that don't care if they bonk badly as long as they're happy :)

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Originally Posted by PamNY

Language is so fun. In the US one might say "Goodness, I'm stuffed" after a big meal."

Probably not a good idea in the UK, or at least it wasn't when I went there some time ago.

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No, I'm stuffed means the same thing over here, but how would you react if after the meal, a guy said "I'm just going out for a fag" and don't even get me started on the term Fanny pack:eek:

You can't leave that one hanging. What's a fanny pack in Britain?

Roxy

I believe fanny refers to the female genitals (or naughty bits, as Monty Python would say). Get stuffed is "get f***ed."

Smoking fags we learned about from the Beatles.

When Monty Python was new in the US, my friend called the British Consular office to find out what a poofter is. They explained, most graciously.

I wonder if there's a British English to American English translation dictionary online somewhere.

Roxy

pamny is clearly in the know. What you call a fanny pack, we call a bum bag!

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Originally Posted by stella2

What you call a fanny pack, we call a bum bag!

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I like this phrase a lot better than fanny pack, especially since only my grandmother ever actually uses the word "fanny"!

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Originally Posted by PamNY

When Monty Python was new in the US, my friend called the British Consular office to find out what a poofter is. They explained, most graciously.

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Loved this. :D

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...e/056ff2e9.gif


http://www.effingpot.com/slang.shtml

This should give you a few laughs, I have not read through all so I hope nothing offends.

I put the above link up because I laughed so much at some of the comments on here.

Clock

It's quite compressive I think. I have only got as far as the B's, but I feel compelled to clarify that any road is only used to mean anyway by working class folk in Yorkshire and parts of Lancashire (trust a Southerner!). Also biggie can be used to mean big deal, usually as in it's no biggie!.

I fear we could devote a entire website to this stuff!

We spent a few weeks in England this summer. My dh's brittish Uncle had so many funny colloquialisms to share.

The only version of bonked in my house is the all too common "head bonk" which occurs between brother and sister. I didn't even know there was a sexual meaning. But sometimes I think I live in a bubble :D

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Originally Posted by stella2

What you call a fanny pack, we call a bum bag!

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This would not have been allowed in my house, as my mother didn't allow the word bum (it was crude). :)

I've learned a lot of the Britishisms from reading. But, it's kind of interesting to note that many of these words in the reference Clock provided *are* used in the Boston area. I guess we haven't come too far from our roots. My dad always used the word "arse." I would say at least 40% of these words are used here, or are used in certain areas. In most working class areas around the city, people would know that getting pissed means getting drunk.
When we first moved here, DS #2, age 5, asked DH to buy him a rubbish barrel for his bedroom. I had to translate. Like, he needs a garbage can for his room!

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Originally Posted by Possegal

This would not have been allowed in my house, as my mother didn't allow the word bum (it was crude). :)

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imagine the reaction on this side of the pond to fanny pack - see PamNY's explanation above :eek:

When I first saw the word "fanny pack" I thought modern day chastity belt? I had fun when she introduced her teenage son as "Randy". I mean, aren't they all? My dh wanted to move when I said australia was full of knockers. He thought I was a bit of a risk taker when I suggested he put pot plants in the bathroom.

I was a bit confused when the dental nurses said shed put stuffers in a grocery bag. This was our slang for a tampon (as opposed to a "surfie" (surfboard) which was a pad. "Benches" Are actually countertops which ld
to some lost items. It goes on....

Hahahahah I found the term very amusing at first too being Scottish!

i once had a friend who caused quite a bit of a confusion at a pub when she declared that she really liked guys in suspenders, not realizing that suspenders in the UK = garter belts in the US.

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Originally Posted by jdubble

i once had a friend who caused quite a bit of a confusion at a pub when she declared that she really liked guys in suspenders, not realizing that suspenders in the UK = garter belts in the US.

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I'm sure some British men may wear suspenders, but not in public. Are US suspenders what we call braces? i.e. Straps over the shoulders, holding up pants?

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Originally Posted by stella2

I'm sure some British men may wear suspenders, but not in public. Are US suspenders what we call braces? i.e. Straps over the shoulders, holding up pants?

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Yes, that is what suspenders are - and I've known some women to wear them as well. They are not always hidden under clothes.

I bonked on a ride yesterday. Can't get no satisfaction. Nor could I get up the hill without stopping. :)

verb- hit hard
verb- have sexual intercourse with

So I think you are all correct!

Here a good sentence for it

While bonking my boyfriend last night I was toking up on a bong and then I bonked my head into his head!:o

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Originally Posted by ladybugplus

verb- hit hard
verb- have sexual intercourse with

So I think you are all correct!

Here a good sentence for it

While bonking my boyfriend last night I was toking up on a bong and then I bonked my head into his head!:o

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Then there is the version that incorporates the cycling definition :)

After recovering from a big bonk on the bike, I was bonking my boyfriend while I was toking up on a bong and then I bonked my head into his head!:o[/QUOTE]

Oh well done ! Cudos the last two posters :cool: