Just recently I was in a conversation with a number of UK mainlanders and we had a debate over what “tories” meant, apparently disproportionately ordinarily it refers to a political party and it’s not usual to use it as short for “territories” as I’ve used it (according to how the debate ended, it was half and half between them). And once again I’m reminded of how people feel to look back at their usage of a word/phrase over the years and cringe.
More tragically, me and a friend were embarrassed once upon realizing everyone was confusing “encephalitis” with “hydrocephalus” when talking to someone about their kid with hydrocephalus. Awkward because encephalitis is caused by HIV.
Thankfullfy just her and myself in the car, and the first time I used the phrase aloud : I once excitedly exclaimed how I loved my friend’s “thunder thighs”.
Totally thought it meant powerful thighs, like in nice and physically fit shape.
🤡
(Not long-term use, but felt the same vibe)
“I’m sorry, is ‘your rear is as creamy as a bowl of oatmeal’ not a compliment?”
“Your acne is like braille for your beauty”
I hate this so much!