>Thanks - can anyone enlighten me as to what 'Hoosier', 'Manhattan' and 'Biscuits and gravy' are (I'm guessing that my mental image of the latter is not quite correct: the British equivalent of 'Rich Tea and Bisto' does NOT sound appealing).
>

Hoosier is slang for someone from Indiana. Manhattan can refer to New York, or to a particular alcoholic beverage.

Biscuits here are not cookies (sweet treats), but a kind of quick bread, generally leavened with baking powder. They're delicious and loaded with fat. In some parts of the US, they're served with a meat gravy of some sort. Me, I like them with butter and honey.

Tamar