Slang conveys meaning best

“Sorry Don, Graydjames is correct, he's not saying the the word boracic lint was derived from the word skint, he 's saying that it's use as rhyming slang was derived from the word skint.

No one is actually suggesting that a medical dressing was named after the word skint, it's just that your letter or at least the last paragraph doesn't make it clear what you mean.”

“karinfall1955, thank you for your correction ; we live and learn. To me Thurnby Lodge is the east end.”

“@talliman. I have origins in the East End, trust me on this, pony and trap means c**p as in of poor quality or nonsense..”

“Karinfall1955;

You have used the wrong expression "pony and trap" means defecate. "Tom tit" might convey your meaning better, Don.”

“The Oxford dictionary definition of "skint" is: adjective - having no money, origin late 18th century mediaeval latin. Using slang to convey the same message could be "short of gold; gelt; readies; nuggets; folding stuff'; dusbin lids and of course "oak and ash. Roget's Thesaurus lists dozens more words for spondulicks.

Boracic lint has been used since the 19th century but why anyone would want to name a medical dressing after a slang word is beyond me.

I cannot imagine my doctor giving me a presciption for some skint. Don”

“I'd noticed that too regarding boracic lint being derived from skint rather than the other way around but apart from that I don't think that there is a problem with certain slang being used as this is how language naturally develops.”

“I thought the letter pony and trap.”

“I presume Mr Tallis is trying to be amusing. Surely he doesn't expect anyone to take this seriously.

Could you honestly imagine Robert Peston saying "printing piles of Oak and Ash". I for one would have been in the dark. However, had he said "printing money" instead of quantitative easing, that would have made complete sense. However, he has said that, often!

Furthermore, Mr Tallis is surely utterly confused to suggest that skint is derived from the rhyming slang "boracic lint". It's the other way round. Boracic lint IS the rhyming slang for SKINT so boracic lint follows from skint. Skint is a variant of "skinned" being an alternative little used informal word for having no money; I've been skinned = I've got no money. Also there's no such word as brassic - even in slang. That's just people mis-hearing and then mis-pronouncing boracic.

I can't beleive I'm so nit-picking but Mr Tallis brings that out in me with his nonsense missives.”

“A funny or stupid article depending on each persons opinion. In my opinion, rather stupid !
We regularly hear that there needs to be improvement in the educational standards of many young people and the manner in which some present themselves at interviews. Do we really wish to encourage the use of slang ?

We already hear, not only from younger people but also from some on radio and television, such talk as, "and he goes" or "and he went", when the speaker really means "and he said".
Hearing someone declare themself as being "gobsmacked" when astounded, sounds horrible I think, as does the now 'in thing' of "Oh my God" or "Oh my Gord".

There has always been slang words in use, but please do not let the use of such words become the normal manner in which we communicate.”

“That's really funny, great article. I really like the word 'skint'. For those who enjoy these types of informal language or 'slang' there is a really neat website, http://tinyurl.com/a2mqtkw
The creators of the site have been interviewing people on camera for their favorite slang and idioms and they create these great 30 second video definitions. Enjoy”