There is 'fit' on one side of the pond and then there is 'fit' on the other.In America, 'fit' is less about overall good looks and more about the state of one's physical fitness. If someone is 'fit', they are in good shape; they are not necessarily an Adonis. For example, Dennis Rodman is fit; he is not (in my estimation) a looker.
In the UK 'fit' describes the whole attractiveness package. The US equivalent would be 'hot'.
Understanding this distinction, you will appreciate my embarrassment in the lift at work.
The lift doors open to reveal a group of men who work in my building, but for a different company. The building is a small building so the faces are generally recognisable, but for all intents and purposes, these familiar faces are strangers -- strangers of whom you might know a thing or two because you have unconsciously observed them over the past 5 years. It is late afternoon, and the men have started to let loose some steam. They each carry a bottle of beer; they have been laughing deep, manly laughs, which dim when the doors open to let me in.
The man in the front is a slightly nerdy looking chap who rides his cycle into work most days. He comes in early, as do I, so I have often seen him dripping in sweat before he has had a chance to clean up after his work out. He is not unattractive; he actually looks quite sweet in a nerdy, thin, sweaty, bike-riding way.
I am slightly taken aback to see that the bike-riding nerd is holding a pack of cigarettes.
"You smoke?" I blurt out before I can restrain myself.
He smiles sheepishly and shrugs.
"It's just that ... I always thought you were the really fit one."
Big hooty, manly guffaws resulted from his comrades. I went red. I have long known the difference between 'fit' and 'fit' but sometimes your upbringing gets the better of you and you end up telling a virtual stranger that he is really hot.
I tell my colleagues this anecdote and conclude "I'm certain I made the guy's day."
My Finance Director disagrees. "I'm sure you made his month!"
Boy, I'd like to be accused of being "fit" just once. I'd ride that to the stars.
ReplyDeleteWhere does mental health play into all this in the UK? Does "fitness" also include a healthy psychological composition?
On my fourth day at my new job, I've sworn to not take the lift if I can help it. Office is on the 7th floor. Poky little place that I insist on climbing/racing up to. And I've been getting odd looks from the guards and lawyers/bankers in the six offices below. One of them one day will stop and talk to me. Just you see. It's the premise of that Rhonda Byrne's Secret after all, isn't it:)? I just need to really want a hot stranger to call me fit -- on the lines of this cycle nerd will do nicely -- and the universe will play genie.
ReplyDeleteI sense a whole new series of 'tales from the elevator'. This one can run and run.
ReplyDeleteOh dear,that must have been a bit embarassing :-(
ReplyDeleteTalking of different understandings of the same word, a few years ago, I used to take the minutes on a project I was working on. Given that it was common practice to just use initials for people who get actioned, I'd been doing the same for one of the people I was working with, an Arabic gent. Naturally, his family name was preceded by the inevitable 'Al' and his first was Faisal. The unfortunate part was that his family name started with the letter 'G', so the abbreviation came out as 'FAG'. What I didn't know was that he had been educated in part in the US and was rather uncomfortable with this. It took him months though, to say something to me, being far to polite to bring it up earlier. Talk about divided by a common language...
ReplyDeleteIt's a generational thing too - fit still means healthy to me, too.
ReplyDeleteBut if a misplaced compliment, it probably went to the person who needed it most. Your good deed for the day.
I sent you an email. About dog's knees.
UB ~ Good question ... mentally fit. Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteNimpipi ~ The universe is always playing genie!!!
Rashbre ~ Fantastic idea. Thanks!
Jan ~ Yes. I went red in the face.
Chris ~ Oh dear. You've trumped me!
PG ~ Does make sense that it would be generational. Have responded to dog's knees.
Oh yeah, do I know that sort of thing. I still remember my early days in London. Both words have fallen a bit out of use, but I still did a complete double take in a pub when one male friend asked the other if he could "Bum a fag". TB
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