"Bob's Your Uncle" / Travel Guru Tom Parsons


This week Let's Travel! explores the "world of difference" between British English and American English and helps travelers to both countries "crack the code" of language and cultural differences. Then our Travel Guru, Tom Parsons, of BestFares.com gives us the"inside scoop" on Fall travel.







Guests

---

Claudine Dervaes
Travel Author


Claudine has written several travel books, including "The UK to USA Dictionary - British English vs. American English", which can be "special ordered" at bookstores but for speed and convenience can be ordered directly from the publisher - Solitaire Publishing, Inc. www.solitairepublishing.com A single copy costs $7.50 (including shipping and tax to any US address).

This pocketsize handbook is filled with the terms and expressions that differ in British English vs. American English. Some of the most exciting, peculiar and funny terms and expressions might be these:

• "sleeping policemen" are speed bumps
• "knickers" are women's panties so "knickers in a twist" is used for our expression of "panties in a wad"
• the "full monty" means the "whole thing"
• "queer one's pitch" means to upset one's plans
• "swings and roundabouts" is equivalent to our expression of "six and two threes"
• The Brits use "Joe Bloggs" for our expression "John Doe"
• If someone's daydreaming the Brits say they are "in a brown study"
• Although it may not be used very much anymore I get a kick out of their expression "keep your pecker up" for "maintain your courage."
• If you are a Rod Stewart fan you heard the expression "A nod is as good as a wink to blind horse" meaning someone who doesn't take a hint.
• A "kirby grip" is a bobby pin
• To make a "pig's ear" of it means to make a "mess of it"
• And of course the signature catch-phrase for The UK to USA Dictionary - "Bob's Your Uncle" for "all is well."

There are many cultural differences between the U.S. and the U.K. Probably some of the most noticeable include:

• When you visit someone - the first thing they'll say is "I'll put the kettle on" (to make a cup a tea)
• There are very few guns in the UK - even the "bobbies" or policemen do not carry guns - what a difference!
• Although most people in UK will have it only on occasion the "typical english breakfast" that may be included with accommodations at many hotels, farmhouse or B & Bs consists of cereal, toast, eggs, sausages, bacon (and it's more like Canadian bacon - not our typical bacon which is called "streaky bacon"), beans (like pork 'n beans),fried bread, coffee or tea
• Pub lunches - popular to go to "pubs" for lunches and on Sundays families will go for a pub lunch. And I really love some of the terms for food dishes in UK "bubble and squeak" (cold meat fried with cabbage and potatoes), "spotted dick" is a type of plum "duff" or pudding, "bangers and mash" (sausages and mash potatoes)
• Everyone walks and public transportation is so widespread that in some cities you would not need a car
• Roundabouts or traffic circles are everywhere and there are very few stop signs.
• At grocery stores you will usually have to put a "pound coin" in a slot to get a "trolley" or shopping cart and usually you bag your own groceries
• Football in UK means soccer
• Political campaigns last about 3 weeks instead of years!

And there are a number of expressions that are funny with regards to infants - "nappies" are diapers, a pacifier is called a "dummy" and a "pram" is a baby carriage or stroller.







Tom Parsons
Travel Guru


By Tom Parsons' own admission, he is nothing more than a regular traveler who wants to save money and help others save. And that he does. Other people collect stamps or precious objects. Parsons collects cheap airfares and discount travel rates, and then he tells everyone about them.

Parsons got his start as a discount travel hound in the late 1970s when he was a traveling corporate executive. He noticed the wide variance in travel fares, even on the same airline flight. Using his natural analytical abilities and some good old sleuthing, Parsons unearthed some breakthrough methods to save dramatically on airfares. Then (of course) he began to tell his co-workers about it. In just fourteen months, Parsons single-handedly reduced the corporation's total travel budge from $2.5 million to $800,000. He was honored with a plaque at the annual meeting and given the title, "The Man Least Likely to Give Up a Travel Buck." Even Herb Kelleher, Former CEO and Founder of Southwest Airlines, called Tom "the best low fare policeman on the beat." That moniker is even more accurate today.

Parsons now appears on over 100 radio and television talk shows each month, dispensing his knowledge of hidden travel deals and fare secrets to audiences of shows ranging from NBC's The Today Show, ABC's Good Morning America and The Oprah Winfrey Show to nationally syndicated radio such as Bloomberg Business Radio and the AP Radio Network. While his days are packed, Parsons is still likely to be found chatting with the receptionists and cameramen along the way, giving them advice on an upcoming trip. His interviews have the same popular appeal, lighting up phone lines with every visit. Since 1983, Parsons has become the Ralph Nader of the air. He has established a reputation as the traveler's friend and confidant, someone the average consumer can trust to be fair and honest and always on the consumer's side. His goal is to inform the general public about the truth in the travel industry. And as always, his mission is about saving money.