Lancashire hotpot is a dish made traditionally from lamb or mutton and onion, topped with sliced potatoes, left to bake in the oven all day in a heavy pot and on a low heat. Originating in the days of heavy industrialisation in Landcashire in the North West of England, it requires a minimum of effort to prepare.

Sloane Ranger refers to a stereotype in the United Kingdom of young, upper class or upper-middle-class people who share distinctive and common lifestyle traits. The term is a punning portmanteau of "Sloane Square", a location in Chelsea, London famed for the wealth of residents and frequenters, and the television Westerns character The Lone Ranger. 

The term was originally popularised by the British writers Peter York and Ann Barr in the book Style Wars (1980), followed by The Official Sloane Ranger Handbook (1982) and its companion The Official Sloane Ranger Diary. 

The exemplar female Sloane Ranger was considered to be Lady Diana Spencer before marrying the Prince of Wales, when she was a member of the aristocratic Spencer family.  Considered typical of SRs was patriotism and traditionalism, and a belief in the values of upper class and upper-middle class culture, confidence in themselves and their given places in the world, a fondness for life in the countryside, country sports in particular, philistinism and anti-intellectualism. 

Hogmanay

Hogmanay is what the Scots call New Year's Eve - 31 December - and the arrival of the New Year is always celebrated in style across the country.

1.     Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year in the Scottish manner.

2.     Nobody knows for sure where the word 'Hogmanay' came from. It may have originated from Gaelic or from Norman-French

3.     Historically, Christmas was not observed as a festival and Hogmanay was the more traditional celebration in Scotland. The winter solstice holiday tended to be at New Year when family and friends gathered for a party and exchange presents, especially for the children.

4.     ‘The Bells’ is the phrase used to describe the midnight hour when New Year's Eve becomes New Year's Day.

5.     Burns’ ‘Auld Lang Syne’ is sung to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight, not just in Scotland but in many English-speaking countries.

6.     The Guinness Book of World Records lists ‘Auld Lang Syne’ as one of the most frequently sung songs in English. The song is sung or played in many movies, from ‘It's a Wonderful Life’ to ‘When Harry Met Sally.’

7.     To sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ a circle is created and hands are joined with the person on each side of you. At the beginning of the last verse, everyone crosses their arms across their breast, so that the right hand reaches out to the neighbour on the left and vice versa. When the tune ends, everyone rushes to the middle, while still holding hands.

8.     An important element of Hogmanay celebrations is to welcome friends and strangers, with warm hospitality and of course a kiss to wish everyone a ‘Guid New Year’. The underlying belief is to clear out the vestiges of the old year, have a clean break and welcome in a young, New Year on a happy note.

9.     ‘First Footing’ – the ‘first foot’ in the house after midnight is still very common is Scotland. To ensure good luck, a first footer should be a dark-haired male. Fair-haired first footers were not particularly welcome after the Viking invasions of ancient times. Traditional gifts include a lump of coal to lovingly place on the host’s fire, along with shortbread, a black bun and whisky to toast to a Happy New Year.

10.    To first foot a household empty-handed is considered grossly discourteous, never mind unlucky!

LAVERBREAD- THE STORY OF A TRUE WELSH DELICACY

Laverbread or ‘bara lawr’ in Welsh is an important traditional food of historical value. A national delicacy made from seaweed, it is washed and then cooked to a soft greenish black paste. Made from laver, one of the most nutritious varieties of seaweed, laverbread is full of health benefits. Rich in minerals and vitamins, full of protein and low in calories, this is a real superfood.  A rare plant source of vitamin B12, it is also full of iron and iodine.


A versatile ingredient used creatively by modern chefs, home cooks and traditional recipes alike, laverbread is a highly underrated considering its nutritional profile and unique flavour. 

Oxbridge is a portmanteau of the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. The term is used to refer to them collectively in contrast to other British universities and more broadly to describe characteristics reminiscent of them, often with implications of superior social or intellectual status. 

This term is relatively recent. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, it was first mentioned in William Thackeray's novel Pendennis (1849). This literary work also introduces the term Camford as another combination of the university names. However, the term is not as popular as Oxbridge. 

Fruit fool is an English dessert. It is made by folding pureed stewed fruit - classically gooseberries - into sweet custard.  However, modern recipes skip the traditional custard and use whipped cream. Additionally, a flavouring agent like rose water may be also added. 

The earliest recipe for fruit fool dates to the mid 17th century. Why the word fool is used as a name of this dessert is unclear. 

Edinburgh rock is a traditional Scottish confection. It consists of sugar, water, cream of tartar, including colourings and flavourings. It is formed into sticks and has soft, crumby texture. 

Edinburgh rock was first made in the 19th century by a man named Alexander Ferguson, who became known as Sweetie Sandy. It is said that one day he came across a tray of sweets that had lain forgotten for months. He tried a piece and found it delicious, and so Edinburgh rock was born. 

Callboy

Call boy (or call girl) is the job title of a stagehand in the theatre. They are hired by either the director, producer or stage crew chief. They report directly to the crew chief, are usually paid by the hour, and will sometimes rotate between several groups from one performance to the next.

The primary responsibility of the call boy or girl is to move from backstage to the dressing rooms and green rooms alerting actors and actresses of their entrances in time for them to appear on stage on cue. For example, they might call out, "You're on in five minutes, Miss Bernhardt."

The call boy or girl also calls the "quarter hour" and "overture and beginners,"^[1] the preparatory warning that signals for the orchestra to start the introductory music and the beginners, those performers who appear on stage at the beginning of the first act, to get into their opening positions. The call boy or girl also assists with scene changes.

Two-step

The two-step is a step found in various dances, including many folk dance.

A two-step consists of two steps in approximately the same direction onto the same foot, separated by a closing step  with the other foot. For example, a right two-step forward is a forward step onto the right foot, a closing step with the left foot, and a forward step onto the right foot. The closing step may be done directly beside the other foot, or obliquely beside, or even crossed, as long as the closing foot does not go past the other foot.

Bars brith

Bara brith, sometimes known as "speckled bread" (the literal meaning of the original Welsh-language name), can be either a yeast bread enriched with dried fruit (similar to the Irish barmbrack) or something more like a fruitcakemade with self-raising flour (no yeast). It is traditionally made with raisins, currants and candied peel.

Tatws Pum Munud

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  Tatws Pum Munud (English: five minute potatoes), a traditional Welsh stew, made with potatoes, vegetables and bacon, and cooked on top of the stove.

Roadster

A roadster, sometimes referred to as a spideror spyder, is an open two-seat car with emphasis on sporting appearance or character. Initially an American term for a two-seat car with no weather protection, usage has spread internationally and has evolved to include two-seat convertible.

The roadster is also a style of racing car driven in United States Auto Club (USAC) Championship Racing, including the Indianapolis 500, in the 1950s and 1960s. This type of racing car was superseded by mid-engined cars.

Welsh rarebit

Welsh rarebit or Welsh rabbit is a dish made with a savoury sauce of melted cheese and various other ingredients and served hot, after being poured over slices (or other pieces) of toasted bread,or the hot cheese sauce may be served in a chafing dish like a fondue, accompanied by sliced, toasted bread. The names of the dish originate from 18th-century Great Britain. Welsh rarebit is typically made with Cheddar cheese.

Swan Upping

Swan Upping

Taking place on the third week in July every year, this is the annual census of the Crown’s swan population. It dates back to the 12th Century when the Crown claimed ownership of all mute swans, (the kind which do not migrate). Nowadays however the Queen only exercises a part-right of ownership on swans in specific stretches of the Thames and surrounding tributaries.

In the Swan Upping ceremony, the Queen's Swan Marker and Royal Swan Uppers use six traditional Thames rowing skiffs in their five-day journey up-river. The Queen's Swan Uppers wear traditional scarlet uniforms and each boat flies the regulatory flags and pennants.

When a brood of cygnets is sighted, a cry of "All up!" is given and the boats move into position. The cygnets are weighed and measured and are given a brief health check.

On passing Windsor Castle, the rowers stand to attention in their boat with oars raised and salute"Her Majesty the Queen, Seigneur of the Swans".

The Calcutta Cup

The Calcutta Cup is the trophy presented to the winner of the England versus Scotland rugby union match which takes place during the annual Six Nations Championship – also currently known as the RBS 6 Nations – between England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy.

The trophy, which stands at approximately 18 inches (45 cm) high, sits on a wooden base whose plates hold the date of each match played; the winning country and the names of both team captains. The silver cup is delicately etched and decorated with three king cobras who form the handles of the cup and sitting atop the circular lid is an Indian elephant.

The original trophy is still in existence but years of mistreatment have left it too fragile to be moved from its permanent home at the Museum of Rugby in Twickenham. Instead both England and Scotland have full size models of the cup to be displayed by the winning team and when England are the victors the original trophy is displayed by the Museum of Rugby in a purpose built trophy cabinet with revolving stand.

Mumming play

Mumming play, also called mummers’ play,  traditional dramatic entertainment, still performed in a few villages in England and Northern Ireland, in which a champion is killed in a fight and is then brought to life by a doctor. It is thought likely that the play has links with primitive ceremonies held to mark important stages in the agricultural year. The name has been connected with words such as mumble and mute; with the German mumme (“mask,” “masker”); and with the Greek mommo (denoting a child’s bugbear, or a frightening mask).

Mumming is best described as early pantomime. The plays are based loosely on the legend of St. George and the dragon. The plays are intended to show the struggle between good and evil.

The 'Black Cab' is a traditional type of taxi in London and some other British cities. Its driver is licensed by the city to stop and pick up passengers in the street. It is also known as the Hackney Carriage first hit the streets back in 1662 in the form of a horse drawn carriage. The fist combustion engine Black Cab was introduced in 1901. Between 1901 - 2015 Black Cab drivers formed a cartel know as the 'The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association'. This cartel limited the supply of Black Cabs in London, resulting in favorable market conditions for Black Cab drivers. Limiting supply allowed the Black Cab drivers to provide substandard service at charge extortionate prices.

Prince William & Prince Harry wearing traditional bowler hats

A Bowler is traditionally a hard felt hat with a rounded crown and a curled brim. Created in 1849 by the London hat-makers Thomas and William Bowler. The recipient of the hat varies depending on who you talk to - some say it was for William Coke, the 1st Earl of Leicester, and others say it was made for his nephew Edward Coke. The Bowler has many names: First it was dubbed a "Coke" (pronounced "cook") or "BillyCock" after its owner. Then as a "Bowler" after its creators. In America, the hat is commonly referred to as the “Derby” after the Earl of Derby wore one on a visit to this side of the pond. In Italy the hat was known as a Bombetta, or "little bomb". In Peru it is known widely as the “Bombin”. It was popularized in modern society bu Charlie Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy. Having evolved from a working hat, the bowler came into popularity as an alternative for the elaborately tall and cumbersome top hat. While still representing respectability and properness, the bowler was a more modest hat than the top hat, and was worn by all classes of men. Prior to the invention of the fur felt western style hat, bowlers were worn by railroad workers in the American west who brought the hats with them from the East coast.