Kindle British Mystery Book Club discussion

Amazon posts praise for Michael Wood's For Reasons Unknown where a phrase appears with unusual meaning to me: "‘A skillfully crafted and compelling debut that hooks from the off...." In this case, does "off" mean "start, beginning"? Is this commonly used casual British language, a regional usage or specific to this person who wrote it?

the off - from the start of a (usually) horse race (and they're off!) Not a very good use of English when referring to literature, it implies ongoing frantic action from the very beginning.

I used to hear "from the off" here in Canada, but not recently. Interesting how language changes

Thanks for the insight, Christina and Beth.

Some of my favorite Brit speak is "dodgy" and "chuffed"

Kirsten wrote: "Some of my favorite Brit speak is "dodgy" and "chuffed""

Chuffed is one of my favs too, Kirsten. I also like 'shirty' as in "Don't get shirty with me!" Lol

Here are a few "Brit Speaks" I want to know more about:
- "Blag" a ticket....
- She got a very "navy blue stare."
- White cars were once the reserve of "wide boys" and "page three girls."
- Alright, "Cannon and Ball."

The words in quotes were found in recent British mysteries, in the contexts shown
.

David, thanks much for the explanations and definitions. I truly enjoy adding to my understanding of British terms and slang.

I wrote and asked an English friend of mine, and she's never heard the "navy blue stare" one. She wondered if it wasn't made up for the book.

Helen wrote: "I wrote and asked an English friend of mine, and she's never heard the "navy blue stare" one. She wondered if it wasn't made up for the book."

Thanks so much for your extra effort, Helen. I appreciate it.

You're welcome, Pat. I'm always asking her things. She's very "old school" LOL, and helpful when I'm reading one of my historical mysteries and come across something I don't recognize. Luckily she's a country-dweller, so can answer questions about villages. And she even has an allotment 8-).