is "FAFO" common in britain/slang?
Posted by Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 45 comments
hi all, US writer wondering if the fairly common US phrase "F*** around and find out" is common in britain, and/or if there's a more common slang phrase that my british characters would use (in a situation where in the US, saying "F*** around and find out" would absolutely fit.). thank you!
rybnickifull@reddit
No, it's really not generally used outside of internet poisoning and people who consume a load of right wing American media.
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
thx
Competitive_Test6697@reddit
Low-key use FAFO because of FOMO and needing to keep up with the yanks.
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
haha
Alternative_Head_416@reddit
I’m 32 and have never heard it before and don’t really even understand what it means. I don’t think it’s a common phrase at all in the UK - I’ve lived in 4 different major cities as well.
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
thx!
CaptainPerhaps@reddit
It is a very American phrase but I’m familiar with it and imagine a fair amount of people would be.
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
thx
TheOrchidsAreAlright@reddit
I would associate more with American English, but it's definitely very familiar in the UK. I wouldn't find it horribly jarring in a British setting.
Ok-Onion-780@reddit
Im from a semi rural area, if someone said that at work or in the pub everyone would almost certainly look at then like they were someone who spends all day on reddit/the internet. No one is sayjngbthat in ral life atleast in my area
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
great to know, that is NOT my character, will not be having him say it, thx.
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
got it thx
AYoungTomSelleck@reddit
Ok-Onion-780@reddit
Equaibalent of i suppose but even then no one is sying chat shit get banged unironically
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
lol thx
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
thx!
t0b9@reddit
It’s common enough that anyone under 35 will know what you mean. The traditional phrase is usually “play with fire, get burnt”
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
thx!
mrwalrus901@reddit
That’s an Americanism. You’d say ‘play stupid games, win stupid prizes’ in British English
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
great thx going to go with this!
Fragrant-Attorney-73@reddit
Probably not. It’s not unknown but not usual.
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
thx! great handle.
knightsbridge-@reddit
It's a very American phrase. It's not unheard-of here, but it's clearly American and modern - I don't think anyone over 40 would say it.
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
cool that helps, thx
Chopsticks_Charlie@reddit
I've never heard it said in public/real life tbf just some pish on social media
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
thanks!
oscarx-ray@reddit
Yes it is. We also have "chat shit, get banged" (not that kind of "banged"!)
Ok-Onion-780@reddit
No its not outside of the internet
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
got it thx
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
love this thx
Beartato4772@reddit
No, we say “fuck around and find out” instead because we’re not 6 years old.
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
thanks!
Tetsuo1981@reddit
Ive always been a fan of "play stupid games, win stupid prizes"
-Rhymenocerous-@reddit
Can confirm this its the british equivalent
starsandshard@reddit
Someone else in this thread dropped the friendly reminder “chat shit, get banged” which I think is in the runnings for being british equivalent, too (perhaps not though, as it is a bit more specific to consequences of chatting shit rather than playing generally stupid games)
-Rhymenocerous-@reddit
Yeah i think thats more so for us southern folk.
That was widely used in the 2010's around where I live
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
thanks!
Throwaway91847817@reddit
Chat Shit, Get Hit
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
thanks!
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
i like this thx.
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
thanks!
HenshinDictionary@reddit
You can say the word "fuck" on the internet. It's okay.
But no, I wouldn't say it's common here, outside of those people who use way too much American English anyway.
Vinyasa_Veritas@reddit (OP)
haha thanks that's fucking good to know. this was my first visit to AskUK and i'm from the US so didn't want to just barge in cursing :)
Fancy-Licker-66UK@reddit
Some blokes had FFFF tattooed on their Knuckles. Find em, Finger em Fxxx em Forget em.mainly 1960’s 70’s.🏴😎
AutoModerator@reddit
Please help keep AskUK welcoming!
When replying to submission/post please make genuine efforts to answer the question given. Please no jokes, judgements, etc. If a post is marked 'Serious Answers Only' you may receive a ban for violating this rule.
Don't be a dick to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on.
This is a strictly no-politics subreddit!
Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.