Oh dear, here we go again! My best friend from college spent a year abroad in England and got herself in so much trouble with an elderly sale woman at a nice store when she went in looking for a “fanny pack.” The poor woman couldn’t believe her ears that such an offensive word wouod be uttereted so loudly. Lol.
Fanny is an old fashioned word for the gluteal muscles. It’s very benign and inoffensive in America. Something a grandmother would say. Younger people say “butt.” However, in Englad – and I suppose in AUS too – it is in fact an offensive word. So yes, those unattractive tourist pouches that buckle around the waist are known as “fanny packs” where in England they’re called “bum bags.” probably everyone knows that “bum” is British for gluteals? From the Australian soap operas I used to watch when I lived in England, I suspect Australian vocabulary is closer to Brisith than American.
I find it highly amusing that such a silly little word is found offensive by Brits when they throw around the C word as if it’s “cookie.”
