Related
TheHarry Potterseries is filled with delicious deception , deep universe building and nuanced role development , all of which make it one of the most popular pieces of media ever created . The epic saga between in force and evil is also full of British argot and customs , which is to be expected when the author , J.K. Rowling , is British herself . To those unfamiliar with English way , many of these terms seem as if they ’re witching components along with the many spells and puppet .
Altered Britishisms , such as the trade of " Sorcerer " from " Philosopher " in the first Good Book and film , was an easy version for American fan . However , many point stay on that only British fans sincerely understand .
Snogging
When American Potterheads first see the parole " snogging , " many thought that it was a magical way to date someone , having never hear of the full term before . " fix out " is the more common phrasal idiom used to key out feverish kissing in the United States .
Snog , which is defined as a verb that intend " kiss and caress amorously , " is a form of British vernacular . It was often used to describe Ron Weasley and Lavender Brown , a couple that snogged continuously and had very little in common otherwise . Who snogged whom became a frequent theme in some of the late works as the kids acquire into hormone - ride — that is to say , normal — teenager .
Prefects
" Prefect " sounds like something out of a magical world , right along with " Occamy " and " Niffler , " but British readers and viewers know that these jobs are held by educatee in many schools . Head Boy and Head Girl are also known among British scholarly person , as well as Irish and Commonwealth young men and women , who have attended independent school day .
prefect are usually selected between the fifth and 7th year students . In the United States , the persona is similar to that of a hall monitor or safety machine patrol member , but in some schools it ’s much more herculean , give the students a great deal of say in how the school is endure outside the schoolroom itself .
Christmas Crackers
Breaking heart-to-heart small present to chance candy or tiny gift inside during the vacation sound fun , but it also sounds like something out of wizard fairy fib to many Americans who had never even heard of the conception until after they meet it in the world ofHarry Potter . The political party favour is common not only in England , but in Australia , New Zealand , Canada and other Carry Nation as well .
SinceHarry Potterand other films likeArthur Christmashave mentioned Christmas crackers , they have become more well - known as actual human novelties in America to the point where stores like Target have even sell them .
Complicated Sports
Americans are used to sports that are comparatively well-fixed to follow , like baseball , hockey and American football game . They do n’t lie with much about summercater like cricket , which is much more complicated to play along and constitute Quidditch seem much mere in comparison .
Many British fan have point out that they love complicated rules in games so much that they are even used in competitions like Numberwang and Mornington Crescent . While these are comedic in nature , they still point to the British love of the complex , which seems to extend into rival , whether they be of a strong-arm nature or more intellectual , often combining the two .
Treacle
While treacle , a traditional British dessert factor made with sweet-flavored prosperous sirup , is n’t completely unheard of in North America , most Americans had never even take heed of it until find characters salivate over it in the wizarding world , prompting them to think it must be some sorcerous food . In fact , most foods in theHarry Potteruniverse are taken from tangible British meals and treats , which makes many an American ’s jaw drop when they find out .
The corking matter about British tart , pudding and other goody is that not only do they sincerely exist , but many can be retrieve or made in North America to enjoy , too .
Trolley Carts
Anything off the trolley , lamb ? It ’s no wonder why this lovely exchange seemed so sorcerous to Americans who ’ve never experienced riding a gearing , rent alone have a tramcar cart of treats come by , provide an array of sweetness and savory snacks .
A train trolley is one of the many informal constituent of travel by train in England , and it sure made perfect sense to English lecturer to see Harry and his friends purchase autumn pumpkin pasty , chocolate salientian and other dainty from the trolley beldam . American could only suspire with envy upon realizing that this is an everyday bodily function for some people who live in England , not for wizard alone .
School Houses
While American schools have teams and mascot , aHouse systemwith point was new to many scholar , particularly those who attend public school . They just assumed it was one of the many wizardly element of J.K. Rowling ’s mental imagery , but in reality there are schools in England that utilize this very system . student are designate a house upon registration into school day and each sign has a symbol , colors and logo .
Knowing this , we feel a fiddling more forgiving toward Dumbledore after inquire why such a competitive organization that only serves to dissever the students up was used by the wizarding school . It ’s not just Hogwarts ; it ’s used by many school in real life .
Glamping
When the Weasleys camp in a luxurious tent that is almost more glamorous than the Burrow , it seems like a huge magical production . It ’s what set up us for Hermione ’s extension charm on her purse . In the United States , " glamping , " or sumptuosity , " glamorous bivouacking , " is now a thing , but traditionally most masses " jumpy iy " when they camp , whether that means kip in collapsible shelter or decently beneath the lead .
It turns out that a lot of British camping bus have been doing this for a while , setting up multi - room tents that sport sit areas , kitchens and other cosy constituent to make it more like home . It does n’t match the World Cup bivouacking witnessed inThe Goblet of Fire , but it shares the same factor .
Sherbet Lemons
Another play food that ’s not limited to wizards , sherbet lemons are a common sweet shop class staple fiber in England . The difficult confect are a minute like American Lemonheads or lemon drops , but they are filled with a fizzy , sweet powder that work them even more irresistible . Dumbledoreloves them so much that he use them as a parole at one point , but he also love they are Muggle treat .
Muggle reader , however , were totally fooled into mean that they were simply another magical conception invented by J.K. Rowling within this rich and wondrous world . Many readers exclaim with delight upon encountering the altogether normal delicacy in an English store .
The Name Hermione
Hermione ’s name has had a suspect account throughout the books . Not only did many American readers struggle with its pronunciation so disadvantageously that J.K. Rowling found it necessary to include a aspect about pronouncing it correctly inThe Goblet of Fire , but they also assumed that it was one of Rowling ’s many made up wizarding epithet .
Not so . Hermione is , after all , a Muggle - born witch , so why would her parents give her a magical name ? The name , which is of Grecian origin , means " princess of Hermes , " so the real question is why Rowling named the cleverest witch of her age after the messenger god and not the god of soundness , Athena .
NEXT : Harry Potter : 10 Things You Never recognize About The Wizengamot
