My "Bloomsbury Dictionary of Contemporary Slang" says "fool, idiot, buffoon" in the context that I had in mind.

It also mentions one of my favourite pastimes - "To prat about" - to behave stupidly or irresponsibly, to do things in a disorganized, messy way.

To be perfectly honest, I probably learned the word when used in the sentence "Don't be a prat Paynie"

I should add as well that no disrespect was intended to Mr. Pratt's fine Motor Spirit :)

I must say once again, that as oddly as these threads sometimes run, I never fail to learn something from them.

Funny how some things come full circle. While not a word used very often here in North America, I believe I used "buffoon" once on this very forum to describe a mysterious Mr dribble.

Your Freudian slip is showing. :D :D

"Oaf" could be employed too, and a word now that rarely sees the light of day. . . . . . . . Probably owing to the plethora of expressions now available in the modern, slang vernacular.

Perhaps I could start you off with: Berk, Baboon, Plonker, Wally, Wazzock. . . . . . . . . . . . .

R.

Though not as weighty a tome as the Oxford Concise Dictionary, and understanding that we are two countries separated by a common language, the 10th edition of Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, while not listing "Prat" does list "Prat-fall".

prat-fall 1: a fall on the buttocks 2: a humiliating mishap or blunder

thus keeping prat alive in the American lexicon.

Hello All,

I have hesitated to pop in here and post this, but I really think I should.

Although I started this thread, I merely posted photos of Mike Greeleys Carrier to pass on the progress he has made to date. Yes, we like to admire or be critical of ones work during a restoration of a military vehicle but I have seldom seen this sort of criticism against another person in this form. I really must say that I’m disappointed the way the conversation has turned out and is continuing to carry on.

I don’t know how all the feathers became ruffled in the first place, and I don’t really care how it happened to be honest, but like him or not, this is well beyond fairness. Big Mike was removed from the forum, then Dibble was kicked off and somewhere in there all the bad words and tones festered and multiplied.

Gentlemen (look up the word “Gentlemen” in your dictionaries…In modern speech, the term is usually democratised so as to include any man of good, courteous conduct), I think its time to cease fire and have a look back on this whole matter… I feel this is very hypocritical and childish behaviour.

If you want to bash him, fine, go ahead, but not in a forum for all to see, use the PM’s or e-mail, or even better yet, keep your feelings to yourself.


Brad

ps...before someone writes a scathing reply to this post, just go back and read it again and think about what is written here.

Thanks

Yeah, I'll think about it, Brad. I'll also think about the death threats two of us have recently received and which are now in the hands of the State Police. Clear? This issue is CLOSED and I'll thank you not to bring it up again.

This thread is closed until further notice. If anyone needs to express themselves about this subject, PM me.

Regards,
Hanno
MLU Forum moderator