Or alternatively Ratty is a character in the Wind in the Willows. Who is not at all ratty most of the time.

This thread is drifting, but that's OK I think. We've had a set of expressions which aren't offensive over here, but feel like they are to Americans. Any examples of the other - things that seem mild and friendly to Americans, but could gve real offense elsewhere?

Just so we are forewarned, and don't think we are being flamed when we aren't.(So it's not really thread drift after all.) I suspect that, what with American films and TV, we have probably been exposed to most of them, so that we won't take offence where it's not meant - but who knows?