just a trifle in england

My grandmother told me about how when they moved to England they were invited to a family home for dinner. After an enormous multiple course dinner, the hostess asked my grandmother if she'd like any dessert. My grandmother answered "oh, just a trifle for me please" (meaning just a tiny bit). The hostess looked shocked! But she quickly composed herself (the British are so polite) and went to the kitchen. A REALLY long time went by as they continued to talk at the table with the rest of the family. Everyone was beginning to wonder what had happened when suddenly the hostess came out of the kitchen with an absolutely ENORMOUS, gorgeous and complicated dessert, which in Britain is called a TRIFLE.

Even in countries that speak the same language "expat" moments can happen.

Here's a recipe for Traditional English Trifle:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/traditionalenglishtr_71964.shtml