Quote:
Originally Posted by 57 On Red
It was only coined in the late 20th century per the OED, which would be why Americans haven't picked up on it. But it means 'like a shambles', a medieval meat market or slaughterhouse, i.e. a bit messy. Well, very messy. And of course, since The Thick Of It, we can now upgrade to an 'omnishambles'.
Red:
Thanks for the clarification. I occasionally meet a British citizen here in the U.S. A Brexit conversation usually ensues. (Brexit does seem to be the topic de jour over in the UK - especially among Londoners.) I always make a point of concluding the conversation by noting that, in my mind, the country that gave us William Shakespeare will always be a great nation.
Prior to December 7, 1941 the U.S. dithered about whether or not to enter World War II while Britain bravely stood up [virtually alone] to Adolph Hitler. Brexit is certainly "messy" and there's likely to be pain and unpleasantness ahead, but your country has survived much worse.