Silly Question That a British Member Might Be Able to Answer

[The Deacon]

Odd things get my attention and arouse my curiosity sometimes. Case in point, while watching a British crime drama (Marcella) on Netflix a billboard in the background of once scene contains the following message:

Kick Crime
Into
Touch

Report It!

Ostensibly, the billboard is a public service announcement from the Central London Police.

Thing is, in US English, "kick crime into touch" makes no sense. Does it mean something in British English and, if so, what? Or is it just something put together poorly in CGI?

[ChrisinHove]

Odd things get my attention and arouse my curiosity sometimes. Case in point, while watching a British crime drama (Marcella) on Netflix a billboard in the background of once scene contains the following message:

Kick Crime
Into
Touch

Report It!

Ostensibly, the billboard is a public service announcement from the Central London Police.

Thing is, in US English, "kick crime into touch" makes no sense. Does it mean something in British English and, if so, what? Or is it just something put together poorly in CGI?

It’s rugby and soccer terminology for when the ball gets kicked (or passed) out of play. The touch line is the side line.

In slang, therefore when you “kick [something] into touch” you unequivocally end or finish it. A proposal for a solid gold Roadie? Let’s kick that idea into touch!

The central London Police is the Metropolitan Police, or Met. It is not unusual for glib advertising to be used in an attempt to make up for real effort or expenditure, even in public services, and I can’t imagine the Met is any different.

[The Deacon]

It’s rugby and soccer terminology for when the ball gets kicked (or passed) out of play. The touch line is the side line.

In slang, therefore when you “kick [something] into touch” you unequivocally end or finish it. A proposal for a solid gold Roadie? Let’s kick that idea into touch!

The central London Police is the Metropolitan Police, or Met. It is not unusual for glib advertising to be used in an attempt to make up for real effort or expenditure, even in public services, and I can’t imagine the Met is any different.

Thanks Chris, the sign makes total sense that way. As for the rest, think you've described every government agency on earth. :D

[Doc Dan]

Solid gold Roadie? Hmmmm.

[FeistyKat]

I think my favorite bit of the Queen's English is shown in Doc Martin when everyone calls Martin Clunes a "tosser".

Hmmm, I wonder if Kristi is up on her British slang? Might be some room for shenanigans here.

[TomAiello]

So it sounds like it's roughly a UK slang equivalent to the US 'Kick it to the Curb' ?

[JuPaul]

Huh...learn something new every day!

[Red]

Ha, cool. Sometimes I watch Dr. Who and get all confused.

[James Y]

When I lived overseas in Taiwan, sometimes after a day’s martial arts training, a friend/fellow classmate of mine from Liverpool would say he was “knackered.” Since he only said it when he was extremely tired, I figured it out. :)

Jim

[flasharry]

Knackered is a derivation from "knacker" a person whose business is the disposal of dead or unwanted animals, especially those whose flesh is not fit for human consumption - where they work was called the "knacker's yard" to be knackered is to be pretty well exhausted..
If you think that UK English has some odd phrases, you should see the Notherm (Lancashire and Yorkshire) dialects. My grandfather who raised me was an old Lancashire man, even though he stopped using a lot of the dialect, he never lost his accent..reet gradley old gaffer 'e were!

[jpm2]

I lived across the pond a couple years as a pre teen, and remember plenty of slang that in U.S. translation, wouldn't be allowed on this forum.

[SpyderNut]

I’ve always been fascinated with British terminology/slang. Maybe it has something to do with watching the Austin Powers movies way too many times. :o :p

[flasharry]

Oh Behave!

[FeistyKat]

We watch a lot of BBC shows.

It took me awhile to realize the "reverse victory salute" is roughly equivalent to our one finger salute. You actually see it a lot in BBC shows (also a lot of nudity.)

After seeing The Gentlemen, my youngest son has a new favorite nickname for just about everyone. Apparently it's not as insulting on their side of the pond as it is here.