Terms & Slang
To make it easier for you to not miss any swoon-worthy moment in the books. Anne has compiled a glossary of unfamiliar or foreign words present in each novel (since many characters come from around the globe).
Anne Nikolaiken’s books are written in Canadian, US, and UK English depending on the character’s view point. Sometimes the spelling is the same as your version of English, and sometimes it’s different, (and sometimes they use words that aren’t as common across the border or the pond!).
Happy reading!
Bisous,
Anne
The Racing Line series
Motorsports Terms
Apex: the midpoint of a corner that drivers target for fastest lap time.
Balaclava: a lightweight and fireproof head covering worn under a helmet.
Box: short for pit box, term used to tell driver to come into the pits (as “Box, box,” has a distinctive sound easier for the driver to hear over the sound of an engine).
Chicane: series of corners (either S or Z-shaped), taken at slow speed to make the circuit safer, also offers great overtaking opportunities.
Cockpit: place where the driver sits in a race car.
DRS: Drag Reduction System, adjustable rear wing that can open for faster speed (must be within one second from another car during a race to use it).
Flags: yellow = danger on track, red = session suspended, chequered = end of a session be it practice, quali or a race.
Formation Lap: the lap right before the race starts, to allow mechanics and teams to leave the grid safely.
Halo: safety structure resembling a horseshoe around the cockpit that protects the driver in the car.
Marshalls: volunteers who make sure the sessions run smoothly on the track.
Paddock: restricted area behind the pits. It houses the team’s motorhomes or hospitality units, technical staff, catering and media.
Parc Fermé: French term meaning “closed park,” an area where officials keep cars after qualifying to prevent any pre-race modifications.
Pit Wall: a section of wall in the pit lane where teams can monitor their drivers and cars’ performance on track.
Pole Position: first spot on the grid at the start of the race.
Practice: sessions during race weekend to allow teams and drivers to get to know the circuit, track conditions and set up their cars for qualifying and the race.
Qualifying (or Quali): a three-part, knockout session which determines the starting order for the Grand Prix. Known as Q1, Q2, and Q3 for short.
Reconnaissance Lap (or Recon Lap): a lap before the race where drivers test the car’s throttle, brakes, steering, tires, etc, to verify it’s working properly, then line up on the grid.
Race Engineer: team member responsible for monitoring the technical aspects of the race car and liaises between the driver and the team during a race.
Safety Car: an official vehicle that is brought out onto the track after an incident or poor weather conditions, which allows the race cars to slow down and make the track safer for marshalls and medical teams to do their jobs.
Team Principal: the boss of the racing team, in charge of daily operations, ensuring that everything functions properly during race weekends and at the team’s factory.
Canadianism
Canuck: a nickname to describe a Canadian (but some Canadians might be offended if non-Canucks call them that).
Eh: usually put at the end of a sentence or question for emphasis.
Loonie: a Canadian one dollar coin (depicts a loon bird).
Toonie: a Canadian two-dollar coin (depicts a polar bear).
Toque: a knitted winter hat (people outside Canada call it a beanie).
Washroom: the American equivalent is bathroom or restroom, and loo in the UK.
Scottish Terms
Soraidh leibh (SO-ri lev): Scots Gaelic for goodbye (as in farewell, formal).
Caidil gu dòigheil (CAHchill goo DOY-el): Scots Gaelic for sweet dreams.
Tha gaol agam ort (Ha geul ah-kum orsht): Scots Gaelic for I love you.
Oidhche mhath (OY-hyeh vah): Scots Gaelic for good night
Sláinte Mhor (Slan-jay-voh): Scots Gaelic for good health or cheers
Naw: No
Aye: Yes
Am pure done in: Scottish expression for I am very tired.
Bampots: someone who is foolish
Bawbag: Scottish slang for balls.
Blether: to chatter away.
Boak: to puke.
Bonnie: Scots word for beautiful.
Braw: used to describe something brilliant or wonderful.
Dinna: Scottish slang for don’t.
Hoachin’: Scottish slang for very busy.
Ken: know
Lad / laddie: young man
Lass / Lassie: young woman
Motor: Scots use it as another word for car or vehicle.
Peely wally: Scots adjective for looking ill.
Tassie: Scottish slang for a cup (as in a cup of tea).
Uch: Oh!
Wee: Scottish word for little or small.
british Terms
Bevvy: short for beverages, usually referring to alcoholic ones.
Bird: a woman, North American equivalent is chick.
Blimey: word to express surprise at something.
Bloke: North American equivalent is guy or dude.
Boot: the trunk of a car.
Brekky: short for breakfast.
Bugger: a rude word for a silly or annoying person or thing.
Chap: North American equivalent is a man.
Choccy: short for chocolate.
Chock-a-block: a very busy place, jam-packed with people.
Chuff: being very happy or delighted.
Daft: something foolish or silly.
Football: North American term is soccer.
Lolly: North American equivalent is a popsicle.
Loo: North American equivalent is bathroom or toilet.
Mega: word used to place emphasis on something, like very.
Petrolhead: British term for a motor enthusiastic. (Petrol being the British term for gas/gasoline.)
Pissed: being drunk.
Quid: British slang for a British pound.
Shag: North American equivalent is to screw.
Snog: a kiss.
Tyre: British spelling of tire.
Wanker: British slang, general insult, equivalent of jerk.
French Words
Amusant: amusing
Chéri: darling
Chocolatine: French Canadian and French name in certain areas of France for a pain au chocolat.
Croissant: French name of a pastry shaped like a crescent moon.
Dommage: literally means damage, but means ‘it’s a shame.’
Exactement: exactly.
Intéressant: interesting.
Merde: French word for shit, can be used as a swear word or as a way to wish someone good luck, depending on context.
Ostie: French Canadian swear word, equivalent to ‘damn it’.
Qu’est-ce-que tu fais: What are you doing?
Quoi: What?
Italian Words
Grazie infinite: an infinite number of thank yous
Grazie mille: a thousand thanks
Prego: can mean please or you’re welcome
Amore: love
Buongiorno: Good day
Grande famiglia: big family
Scuderia: paddock, but in the series it refers to the racing team
Signor: mister
Telefono: telephone
Ciao: hello, bye.
Bella: beautiful
Scusi/Scusa: sorry, excuse me.
Si: yes
Mio fratello: my brother
Bambini: plural form of bamino and bambina, meaning child
German Words
Enchuldigung: sorry, excuse me (more formal).
Ja: yes
Portuguese Words
Olà: hello
Vovô: grandpa (usually used by younger kids)
Polish Words
Jacht: Polish spelling of yacht
Piwo: beer
Future Book Series
To be announced.