Bot Contest

nope, but I only mailed it from Australia about 5 days ago.. should I fax as well, as suggested, or is that paranoia?

If you dont hear a confirmation by the 29th, It's probably a good idea to fax it. Probably what I'll do.

There, I faxed it. I used:

1015566 +011 44 1483 689550

(1015566 is for discount phone calls, probably the equivalent of 10 10 220 in the US)
(011 is the country code)
The rest is the number

I received confirmation today!

Me too!

Back in the day, we didn't GET confirmations! We just assumed they got there... And when you'd show up (AHEM*Loebner 2002*) you'd hope they got there.

(Ooh, I'm on a roll...)

Okay, it's time for a bit of cultural exchange--between American, Canadian, British, Australian....you get the idea.

I've been informed that 'on your bike' (British) means the same thing as 'take a hike' (USA) or 'get lost', 'go jump in the lake', 'go play in traffic,' 'get bent' (that last one's very rude, BTW). Let's share some idioms from different English speaking countries so our bots do well in the contest, which is being held in England. I'll try to find a website with translations between dialects.

P.S. What does 'ta' mean?

It's 'thanks' or 'bye'

"ta" is thanks, but "ta ta" is bye...
"cheers" is thanks as well (also could be used as a goodbye)
"Bollocks" - that's just silly/not true, bulls***
"Shag" - sex "alright mate" - Hi there how are you
"bonk" - sex "that's pants" - that's not good
"snog" - kissing with tongue
"fag" - cigarette
"to bum" - to borrow
"it's the dog's bollocks" - it's the best, it's just great

giggle - that's some of the more amusing ones I can think of off hand

Wow, that's great! Thanks!

I found a few websites devoted to the subject:
http://www.effingpot.com/
Good detailed guide to British words.

http://www.uta.fi/FAST/US1/REF/usgbdiff.html
Way less exhaustive, but easier to navigate.
Also translates American to British.

(Didn't know 'pardon me' is only used after bodily functions....so much for the TV commercial with a snobby British person asking someone in the next car, 'Pardon me. Would you have any Grey Poupon?' (mustard)

yup on your bike usually used in context I don't believe you go away type thing. Pull the other one it's got bells on is similar.
Pardon me could be used for excuse me but very archaic and Wodehousian type English. Never heard it used in earnest and as we know it's very important to be Ernest (grin)

omg they spoke to her...