During the Korean war a British unit was being overrun by the Chinese. The American general asked the British Colonel how things where and the Colonel said its a bit hairy. While the American general took this to mean they are ok. They got overrun and everyone in the unit was killed or captured.
Apepollo11@lemmy.world 2 days ago
I love these kinds of stories, but I think that specific example is a misunderstanding of idioms, rather than an example of pretending something isn’t happening, though.
mriswith@lemmy.world 1 day ago
It is representative of how British people often avoid the truth or confrontations and instead use sarcasm, idioms, etc. that understate the situation.
The English are also a worldwide example of people who go “Oh no, everything is fine.” when everything is wrong.