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    I know that it's considered archaic now, but what does the British colloquialism "wot rot" mean?

    Question #100287. Asked by glong131. (Oct 17 08 10:54 AM)


    gentlegiant17

    		I guess it means "what nonsense!".

    "wot" is obviously "what" and see the meaning of "rot" here: http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/r.htm


    Oct 17 08, 11:47 AM
    Baloo55th

    		The actual phrase is 'what rot!'. The verb 'wot' doesn't come into it. 'Wot' might be used as a spelling to indicate a pronunciation of 'what'. It would indicate something approaching the Cockney, rather than the more U 'hwat' pronunciation. Words starting 'wh' were at one time normally pronounced 'hw'.

    Oct 17 08, 12:53 PM
    zbeckabee

    		Two examples of how the phrase is used:

    From The Works of D.H. Lawrence:

    "What rot, to see the cabbage and hibiscus tree As equals! What rot, to say the louts along the Corso In Sunday suits and yellow shoes Are my equals! I am their superior, saluting the hibiscus flower, not them."

    http://www.archive.org/stream/birdsbeastsflowe00lawruoft/birdsbeastsflowe00lawruoft_djvu.txt

    From Doctor Who -- Photonovels
    The Web of Fear - Episode Two

    "Professor Travers energetically defends the Doctor. 'What rot!' he exclaims. 'The Doctor's a friend of mine – the one man that can help us!' When Jamie says he might know where the Doctor is, Arnold asks him to lead the way."

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/photonovels/weboffear/two/19.shtml

    Oct 18 08, 6:15 AM

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