Reader's Digest Queen's English Word Power

[Adanor]

Well, RD has come up with a test of how well Americans know British English. So does anyone use DOG'S BREAKFAST? CACK-HANDED?

 

[Marianna]

I've used the first, but not the second, although I can guess it's meaning. I looked it up just to be certain. The derivation was a surprise.

 

[captain clutterbuck]

Dog's Breakfast was used quite commonly in the workplace where I was employed, spookily it was a big American Corporation operating in the UK . When something went awry you could guarantee on the crisis call that phrase was commonly used. Cack handed is not widely used when I first came across it was used to effectively describe anyone who was left handed [ I assume because most people were right handed ] alternatively it was simply used to describe someone who was clumsy .

 

[Adrian Morris]

Here in NZ, Cack-Handed could be either Left Handed, Clumsy or Awkward.
Dogs Breakfast could describe a mess or shambles.