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RayH Posted 18 years ago
Vocabulary

Can anyone explain this Briticism from Spooks (MI-5)

This is a dialog snippet from the TV program known as Spooks in the U. K. and MI-5 in the U. S. Specifically from season (series) 2, Episode 3.

When we join the scene we are inside a tent at a stake-out where the surveillance equipment is setup. Tom and a technician are verifying that everything works. As they work they are joined by Anton. Tom is the boss.

ENGINEER (Anton) (quite posh):
Jolly stuffy in here sir.

TOM: Accent’s a bit Bow Bells Anton.

ENGINEER (Anton): Righty-ho. Point taken.

Anton then promptly exits the tent.

I know that "Bow Bells" refers to St.Mary-le-Bow Church within the sound of whose bells one must be born in order to be considered a true cockney. What I don't understand is why this comment elicits the response it does from Anton. Can anyone explain? What "point" did Anton take from this exchange?
  

Top answer

A silly series with a silly script. Tom is being sarcastic.

  • A silly series with a silly script.
  • Tom is being sarcastic.
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8 Answers
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A silly series with a silly script.

Tom is being sarcastic.
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Feebs11 A silly series with a silly script.
Not exactly responsive. Of course it's silly, I dare say any of us would be hard pressed to name a TV show that's not silly.
Feebs11Tom is being sarcastic.
Not exactly informative. At the risk of repeating myself, what "point" did Anton take from his exchange with Tom?
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I've never seen the show but looks like
Tom is telling Anton that his accent is a little to "Cockney".
I think Anton was trying to sound sofisticated...but failed. (he obviously sounds very "common")

In the U.K., as far as I can tell, (I'm from Canada,but watch a lot of Brit-coms) the way people speak is a source for much humour, mockery, respect, loathing, etc.

So - An
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RayH
Feebs11 A silly series with a silly script.
Not exactly responsive. Of course it's silly, I dare say any of us would be hard pressed to name a TV show that's not silly.
Feebs11Tom is being sarcastic.
Not exactly informative. At the risk of repeating myself, what "point" did Anton take fro
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samuraifingersHope this helps!
Thanks, Nick. You're the only person who has replied who didn't feel obliged to make snide remarks about my viewing habits and otherwise come off as a smart *** unhelpful.
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RayH to make snide remarks about my viewing habits and otherwise come off as a smart *** unhelpful.

No reflection on your viewing habits. A comment on the awfulness of this kind of TV series which does no great service to the BBC's reputation.
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Tom's comment about the accent might have been a pun triggered by Anton saying "Jolly stuffy in here..." Stuffy, besides meaning lack of fresh air, can also mean prim, aloof, overly formal when referring to a person.
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I like Spooks. It's a great bbc series.Emotion: umbrella

I think Tom may be telling Anton to bring his accent down a bit to unexception

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