Catherine Tate Show & English Expressions

Shady Abuyusuf

Sun, 24 Nov 2024

251

Catherine Tate is a renowned British comedian, best known for her sketch comedy television show, “The Catherine Tate Show.” She has introduced several unique catchphrases that eventually entered the English language. Here are ten expressions and words popularised by her characters:

1. “Am I bovvered?” (Lauren Cooper)

This phrase means “Do I look like I care?” It is used to express disinterest or indifference. For example, “You don’t like my outfit? Am I bovvered?”

2. “Bovvered” (Lauren Cooper)

An Anglicised version of the word “bothered,” which indicates that something is not a concern. Example: “I’m not bovvered about their opinion.”

3. “Whateva!” (Lauren Cooper)

Derived from “whatever,” it is a dismissive response to any statement or situation. Example: “You think I’m rude? Whateva!”

4. “How very dare you!” (Derek Faye)

This phrase means “I cannot believe you said or did that!” It is often used to express surprise or shock when someone has overstepped their boundaries. Example: “You called me arrogant? How very dare you!”

5. “Face, bovvered, face – not bovvered, face, bovvered?” (Lauren Cooper)

A rhetorical question used by Lauren Cooper when she claims not to care about something, usually involving her facial expressions. Example: “So you think I can’t dance? Face, bovvered, face – not bovvered, face, bovvered?”

6. “He ain’t done nuffink!” (Lauren Cooper)

A colloquial expression that means “He hasn’t done anything!” This phrase defends someone accused of wrongdoing. Example: “Why are you blaming him? He ain’t done nuffink!”

7. “What a [bleeping] liberty!” (Nan Taylor)

An expression used to criticise unfair or unjust situations. The phrase contains a profanity in place of ‘bleeping.’ Example: “They fired me without warning? What a [bleeping] liberty!”

8. “Innit” (Lauren Cooper)

A slang abbreviation of “isn’t it,” used rhetorically at the end of sentences. Example: “This movie is cool, innit?”

9. “Bear with” (Auntie Maureen)

A phrase used to signify patience, asking someone to wait or hold on while the speaker deals with something. Example: “Bear with, bear with, I’ll find the information for you.”

10. “Gingers for Justice” (Gingers for Justice campaign)

Derived from a comedy sketch by Catherine Tate, aiming to challenge negative stereotypes about redheads. Example: “He’s being picked on just because of his hair colour? That’s not fair! Gingers for Justice!”

Catherine Tate’s influence on contemporary culture has led to these expressions being used commonly by English speakers worldwide, adding a touch of humour and distinctiveness to everyday conversations.