Someone british please help

[michael]

So I've been reading some british fiction (Tom Sharpe, to be precise) and I have a couple questions:
What the fuck is an off-license?
What the hell are A-levels and O-levels?
I must plead ignorance as I am american.

 

[PeyoteK]

off-license is a shop that sells alcohol.
O levels are the exams kids take at 16, A-levels are the ones you take at 18.

 

[michael]

Thanks. I really meant to post this in social.

 

[clop]

Here I am with a load of trivial shite.

There are some fucking weird terms for "off-licence" around the UK. For example, in Birmingham they say they're going to the "outdoor". Freaks. The original term "off-licence" comes from the fact that the shop is "LICENSED to sell intoxicating liquor for consumption OFF the premises."
Oh, and GCE (general certificate of education) 'O' (ordinary) levels were withdrawn in 1988. 16 year olds now do GCSE's (general certificate of secondary education).
GCE (general certificate of education) 'A' (advanced) levels are still going strong though.
clop
[This message has been edited by clop (edited 26 July 2001).]