As an American (who hasn't lived there for almost 10 years), I think that in US English "beat off" is synonymous with "fend off", but that usage is old-fashioned almost to the point of being archaic within the US, and many people especially those under 20 years of age would likely not know the "fend off" definition (or even what "fend off" means, honestly).

The colloquial definition that he reacted to would be the intended definition 99% of the times that you heard the phrase used in the US.

My guess is that the situation is somewhat reversed in British English -- it would mean "fend off" 90% of the times it is said, with the other 10% talking about masturbation and knowing the slang definition from US media. I make that guess as someone who has been to the UK a few times and has British friends that I work with every day, but I wouldn't claim to be an expert about British vs US English.

Sounds like the ratio might be similar in Australia, or maybe even more in favor of the "fend off" meaning like 95/5? Interesting how those things vary so much from place to place.

Madness and UB40, The Specials, English Beat, the ska revival and reggae made the 80's way more tolerable than it could have been musically...There was some shitty rock and roll in the 80's, just sayin'....

I'm sayin' fuck Sammy Hagar joining Van Halen is what I'm sayin'!!

Why, thank ya kind stranger.



In reply to this comment by kronosposeidon:
*quality

Beatles. They used to have a cartoon about them on Saturday mornings, right before or after Johnny Quest and King Kong.

In the late 70's, "arena band rock" finally got to the point where I couldn't stand it any more, and I remember hearing Talking Heads and a few others that were pushing the envelope.

Then I went to college in the 80's and U2, English Beat, New Order, Flock of Seagulls, etc. just stole my heart. Yazzoo, too.

I really can't listen to 70's rock any more for some weird reason.

Thanks fer the promote

In reply to this comment by choggie:
Sooner or Later, this will get published...

The English Beat will NOT be denied. Not on my watch. No sir.

In reply to this comment by youdiejoe:
THANKS!

In reply to this comment by kronosposeidon:
*promote

>> ^kronosposeidon:
promote


Thanks!

THANKS!

In reply to this comment by kronosposeidon:
*promote

You can't go wrong with the English Beat. Impossible, I tell you.