MovieChat Forums > Captives (1996) Discussion > Difficulties with language

Difficulties with language

posted 15 years ago by oc1979
5 replies | jump to latest

I know it's British English and all, but even after turning on subtitles, I still couldn't understand everything they said. Could someone offer insight?

- "She's a square peg" - no idea what that means, couldn't find anything on the net to show it's a British expression of some kind

- "Where is my d** scrip?" - what's a scrip?

- What exactly is "Avon lady". I mean I know about cosmetics and all, but what does that have to do with Rachel?

- Cheeky bugger - what flavor does this convey in British language, as I assume this is some sort of British slang

Can't remember others but I think there was more...

Also, some dialogs didn't quite make sense, for example when she says "It's cold" and he replies "We've got time" - isn't that like answering "Are you hungry?" with "No, I am not cold"?

[–] broadway309 15 years ago

I had the same problem- I think a lot of the British lingo is lost on Americans.

"Square peg"- no idea on that one actually. Something to do with the old saying "square peg in a round hole". It could mean that she doesn't fit with the criminal dealings because she is a professional, upstanding woman.

"Scrip"- usually is an abbreviation for "prescription". I believe Towler says it to the other medical professional, which I took to mean he wanted drugs.

"Avon lady"- Yes, he was referring to the cosmetics...it was a good way to refer to her in that 1)she's a beautiful woman, and 2) she visits them- an Avon lady will typically visit households

"Cheeky bugger"- basically the British equivalent to "smart a**". Cheeky usually means bold or brash, and bugger is a generic term for rascal- "used to describe someone or something whose behavior is in some way displeasing"

Another one I didn't know:
Philip says Towler "sussed" them.

"Sussed"- To infer or discover; figure out.

Hope that helped!

[–] reb2290 15 years ago

Hmmm... I don't know about the first 3 (sorry I'm soo ashamed I don't coz I'm british lol) okay cheeky bugger is kind've offensive but also endearing it's one below swearing at someone so you'd say it like "you cheeky bugger!" like calling someone an idiot don't go round calling everyone a bugger lol.

[–] shardi2209 14 years ago

Ok I've just watched it and i'm English so I'll give you my opinion on those phrases you asked about.

It's probably square peg meaning both square peg in round hole and also a 'square' is someone who is straight and not criminal. In England it is often used in schools to describe someone who does all their homework and is good.
A 'scrip' is short for prescription but as he is a drug user and specifically calling it a script the chances are he is asking for his methadone prescription as that is what it is known as colloquially.
Avon lady - I agree with the other post.
Cheeky bugger isn't really insulting. You could call a child a cheeky bugger without it being bad.
I don't know about that dialogue bit except to infer that they've got time to get warmed up even though it is cold?

Hope that helps.

[–] noran-azmy 8 years ago

Hey, I just watched this movie and I also had difficulty understanding some parts. What does it mean when he tells her, "When you were at the supermarket, you weren't tagged, so I knew it was a play for the jail"?

[–] shardi2209 8 years ago

When she is at the supermarket she wasn't wearing her wedding ring so he is saying that she only wears the ring so people at the prison think she is married and would therefore leave her alone. The being tagged refers to the ring.