MovieChat Forums > Sliding Doors (1998) Discussion > Mug? Really? Is that an actual Britici...

Mug? Really? Is that an actual Briticism?

posted 11 years ago by jgroub
13 replies | jump to latest

I have been steeped in British culture for over 30 years, watched everything on Public Television, all the movies, all the series, and I have never, ever heard anyone use the word mug other than with a cup of coffee.

Has anyone ever heard this word used this way?

Oh, and by the way, allow me to add my name to the list of people who say that Gwynnie's British accent sucked. Oh, it's improved since then, but in this movie, it blew big donkey balls.

I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] EllaIsNotAnOwl 11 years ago

"Mug" is really common British slang in England. I'm born and bred so I can confirm :p being "taken for a mug" is something I'm amazed you've not heard!

Also I was somewhat impressed with her accent. I thought she was really good in this film.

[–] Arec_Barwin 11 years ago

British mug = American sap

And Gwynnie's accent was impeccable.

[–] mmitsos-1 10 years ago

Um...no....Paltrow's accent was absolutely horrid. COMPLETELY fake and affective. Her American English is already irritatingly nasal beyond belief....the British one made me just want to *beep* punch her in her huge nose and then rip her throat out, preventing her from ever speaking again.

[–] highway-patrolman 11 years ago

It's most commonly used as a Londoners/cockney turn of phrase.

[–] Nobody-27 10 years ago

If you claim to have been "steeped" in British culture for 30 years, yet never heard of slang "mug" and can't judge British accent to save your life, perhaps you should try some other activity that requires no language skills.

Hint: various parts of UK, England and even London, not to mention different social circles have different accents. Ever heard any one of the Beatles talk? They will never sound like Gwyneth in this film because they are from Liverpool, and have an accent so thick (and different from the rest of UK) even you should be able to recognize it. What about her co-star who is Scottish? Does he also sound "fake"? I have heard many different Scottish accents, and every time I can understand what they are saying, I am suspicious - Scots are generally impossible to understand. What about someone from East London vs West? Huge difference in accents. What about someone like a cab driver vs a teacher? Huge difference in accents again.

Last, but not least: most of the time, when there is a role such as this one, actors hire dialect coaches who are unbelievably good at removing/replacing/giving you any accent you want. Their fees start at around $100/hr and go up from there. I have seen European actors learn American English with no discernible accent thanks to such coaching... hence, for Gwyneth to learn British accent is no big deal; its English after all, and it is not that hard at all. Just as Cary Grant learned American accent, without dialect coach.

I can understand that people are jealous of her lifestyle, or disapprove of her seemingly aloof comments, but to attack her for something like her accent is completely out of place.

[–] jgroub 10 years ago

Uh, what the hell? Who mentioned the co-star, whom I knew is Scottish? Who mentioned the Beatles? Who mentioned jealousy? What the f@ck are you going off about?

My post was about whether the word "mug" was something that actual British people ever say. If you have something to say in response to that, then say it.

My only comment against Gwyneth was the poor quality of her accent. Her dialogue coach must have failed miserably. That's it.

Take a Xanax and chill out. No one is discussing any of these other topics but you.

I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] Nobody-27 10 years ago

You brought up the accent and "mug" non-issues and claimed to have been "steeped in English culture... since most of what you said was bs, it deserved a retort.

If you dish out stupidity, don't complain when you get a reply like mine.

[–] irvberg2002 10 years ago

This is not a time to make nasty remarks about Scots. There was just a tragedy in Glasgow; two taxicabs collided headon and all 47 occupants were killed.

[–] A_Llama_Drama 10 years ago

I'm trying so hard to hate you but I'm killing myself laughing.
But I concur, leave off the scots! We are literate and articulate and I don't appreciate you using us as an example to prove your point! However, you are right about the OP. Mug is a comment term. Can mean your face. You can be taken for a mug. Yer a mug! Is another Popular term. And Paltrow delivers a great accent. Only a moron would say otherwise.

[–] staceym_24 10 years ago

Mug can also be slang for face

[–] GigglesStewart 10 years ago

Yes. Mug has several meanings.

"I feel like such a mug" - "I feel like such an idiot"

"I've been mugged" - "I've been robbed"

"He's a mugger" - "he's a robber"

And in some instances, it refers to a face.. "he's got such an ugly mug" f.i.

Hope that helps :-)

[–] anatja 10 years ago

LOL, Americans are hysterical!

If you love Satan and are 100% proud of it copy this and make your signature!

[–] kellymariekitty 7 years ago

Errrrrrrr yes we use that word quite a bit :)
It's a person that's nieve and falls for a con.

I.e. A mug :)