BBC’s Only Fools & Horses (OFAH)

Only Fools and Horses was perhaps Britain’s most successful sitcom of all time, running from 1981 to 2003, with 64 episodes. It is set in Peckham, East London, and follows the life of working class brothers Derek (Del-boy) and Rodney Trotter. You can read the full details (in English) on Wikipedia.
The BBC has provided many clips from this on YouTube, which I will be transcribing and explaining, one by one, on Fridays.

First, I’d like to introduce the characters:

 

Derek Trotter aka Del-boy – a self-employed businessman… well really he makes dodgy (borderline illegal, perhaps sometimes actually illegal) business deals, but he has a good heart and is very protective of friends and family, especially of Rodney. Played by Sir David Jason – described as a “national treasure” by many people.

 

 

 

Rodney Trotter (whom Trigger calls ‘Dave’; nobody knows why) Del’s younger brother, who had dreams of making a good career, but he can’t seem to break away from following his brother in his business deals. Played by Nicholas Lyndhurst, who later made his own, very popular, sitcom about a time traveller.

 

 

 

 

Granddad (grandfather of Del and Rodney), who lives with Del and Rodney and does most of the housekeeping and coking.

 

 

 

 

Uncle Albert (moved into Del’s flat after Granddad died – actually, the actor died) is a retired sailor, who is famous for saying “During the war…” in almost every conversation.

 

 

 

Trigger – road sweeper, friend of Del, famously not very smart

 

 

 

Raquel – much later in the series she met Del and married him. They eventually had a son, named Damien.

 

 

 

Cassandra – also much later in the series, she met and married Rodney. She came from a rather upper class family, who completely disapprove of Rodney and his brother.

 

 

 

Boycie – a successful, and rich, second-hand car dealer friend of Del’s.

 

 

 

Marlene – Boycie’s wife, who makes it clear that she and Del had once been close to becoming a couple, and they remain very close friends now.

 

 

Denzel – a lorry driver from Liverpool, friend of Del.

 

 

 

Mike – Del’s local pub owner – Del is always trying to sell him something useless

 

 

 

Here is the opening and closing theme songs:

“Stick” means “put”
A “pony” is £25 (a ton in £100, a monkey is £500, and a grand is £1000).
“In me pocket” – “me” means “my” in the south England dialect.
“The best uns” means “the best ones”. (It’s just how it is pronounced)
The video maker spelled “horses” incorretly! It’s not made by the BBC.
“Whatsaname” means “a thing whose name I can’t remember”.  Also “thingamajig” and “whatsit”.
“Mush” is “guy, man, bloke.
Shepherd’s Bush is an area of London.
“Hooky” means “suspicious” or “perhaps “stolen” gods.
“C’est manifique” is French for “It’s magnificent”. Del-boy is well-known for using some French expressions, usually incorrectly.