Do you know what 'baps' are?

[Writer61]

Working on a story set in the UK which uses the word 'baps'. I'm wondering if non-Brits understand it or whether I need to clarify it somehow.

 

[BlazonG]

I have no idea what those are (as someone from the U.S.)

 

[iwatchus]

I have no idea what baps is (I've lived in the US all my life, though I have made a few trips to the UK)

 

[pink_silk_glove]

I'm a non-Brit and yes I know, but I would never have known if not for a chance conversation with an English friend. The word just does not exist on this side of the Atlantic.

 

[HordHolm]

Context. E.g. 'she had a lovely pair of baps barely concealed by her tight sweater' should be clear enough. Unless she works in a bakery and is making baps.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

Context. E.g. 'she had a lovely pair of baps barely concealed by her tight sweater' should be clear enough. Unless she works in a bakery and is making baps.

Sweater is an Americanism, though widely understood in the UK now.

But yes, context. It only becomes tricky when someone walks into a sandwich shop, admires both the large bread rolls and the lass selling them, and goes "Nice baps!"

(Brits will approve of the double entendre but immediately get into an argument, claiming the bread item is actually a roll, breadcake, batch or other regional term...)

 

[NotWise]

To me, a "bap" is a playful pat, usually on the head. Context clears that up easily.

 

[StillStunned]

Sweater is an Americanism, though widely understood in the UK now.

Really? My parents, who are as British as can be, have used "sweater" all their lives. Going back to the 1940s.

 

[TheLobster]

Really? My parents, who are as British as can be, have used "sweater" all their lives. Going back to the 1940s.

That's because it's not an Americanism at all. It goes all the way to Old English and has leaked to other European languages as well.

 

[Writer61]

Thanks all. Will make sure context is given.

 

[Writer61]

Sweater is an Americanism, though widely understood in the UK now.

But yes, context. It only becomes tricky when someone walks into a sandwich shop, admires both the large bread rolls and the lass selling them, and goes "Nice baps!"

(Brits will approve of the double entendre but immediately get into an argument, claiming the bread item is actually a roll, breadcake, batch or other regional term...)

Exactly what I intend to include in the story.

 

[Areala-chan]

I dead-ass thought you were talking about the '90s movie B.A.P.s when I opened this thread. God, I'm old...

 

[LittleMissSunshine12]

Reading the word baps being discussed has really cheered me up - thank you

 

[onehitwanda]

Context. E.g. 'she had a lovely pair of baps barely concealed by her tight sweater' should be clear enough. Unless she works in a bakery and is making baps.

Is she making the baps with her baps?

Cos I like baps.

 

[StillStunned]

"No baps, bagels or baguettes..."

 

[jsmiam]

I second the BAPS movie reference. People coming of age in the US in the 90s may well remember it. (About three people saw it at the time in an actual theatre, but it developed a cult following as time passed). And it also means Black American Princess. And other things too. See Wikipedia.

 

[WittyUserName]

Working on a story set in the UK which uses the word 'baps'. I'm wondering if non-Brits understand it or whether I need to clarify it somehow.

United States here. I actually opened this thread so I could find out what 'baps' are.

 

[joy_of_cooking]

I (US) only knew baps as the things that came out of ovens not sweaters but I figured out the other meaning when I saw your example sentence.

 

[Bamagan]

Is she making the baps with her baps?

Cos I like baps.

That's a pleasant image. Erotic kneading, maybe a little crimping... yum.

 

[onehitwanda]

That's a pleasant image. Erotic kneading, maybe a little crimping... yum.

knotting pastry...

omg Wanda stop it

 

[ElectricBlue]

Working on a story set in the UK which uses the word 'baps'. I'm wondering if non-Brits understand it or whether I need to clarify it somehow.

Yes, the ones that you eat, but here in Oz, only very rarely would one think of boobs. Jugs, on the other hand, might get confusing, depending how low-brow you are.

 

[MillieDynamite]

Sure I know, Bap's Blue Ribbon Beer! What do you think, I'm some dumb Okie?

Working on a story set in the UK which uses the word 'baps'. I'm wondering if non-Brits understand it or whether I need to clarify it somehow.

 

[SerenaSteeleMonroe]

Boobies, tits, the big pair of heavenly soft fun Baps!

 

[Nynah]

I'm fortunate enough to have a Korean friend whose mother loves to cook, so I'm more familiar with 'baps' as the component of some of my favorite dishes like bimimbap and kimbap. 'Bap' in this context simply means 'rice'.

I do wonder if there are Korean restaurants in the UK near enough to bakeries so there is potential for cross-bapination.

 

[Bamagan]

I'm fortunate enough to have a Korean friend whose mother loves to cook, so I'm more familiar with 'baps' as the component of some of my favorite dishes like bimimbap and kimbap. 'Bap' in this context simply means 'rice'.

I do wonder if there are Korean restaurants in the UK near enough to bakeries so there is potential for cross-bapination.

If there are, I hope they specialize in rice bread, or bap-baps.