Uk/American-isms

[tickle_fan031]

Ok that's prob not the right way to put it but nevermind...thought this might be an interesting topic,either that or it'll cure boredom momentarily.lol.

Basically this is to share the differences between the American and the Uk versions of language/sayings.

E.g. do you say counter clockwise or anti clockwise?

I say anti clockwise

Can you think of anymore??

 

[Iluv2Btickled]

American: Biscuit=Pillsbury baked, eaten with syrup....also comes w/ your value meal at KFC, or Churches Chicken

UK: Biscuit=Cookie

lol

America: Bathroom/Restroom/toilet

UK: loo

American: "a bit weird"

UK: Dodgy

I could go on and on being I'm a big fan of bond (UK/Aussie based) and a big fan of Harry Potter. 😛

 

[TKLVR181]

AW BLOODY HELL! :laughing:

Sorry, had to say that, it was just there. We say stuff like "damn". I personally am more likely to say "Not bloody likley" :laughing:

 

[Senshi1]

The funniest was told to me by an American friend of mine. When she came to Britain, she went into a shop and asked for a "fanny pack" ("bum bag" to us Brits), unaware that in the UK, a 'fanny' is actually a vagina.

 

[Budweiserbob!]

I never really got the American term for "dummy", the "Pacifier"...

:S

 

[TKLVR181]

in the UK, a 'fanny' is actually a vagina.

:wooha: Whoa, thanks for telling me, I have a lot of British friends, wouldn't wanna make that mistake in front of TKfan!:laughing:

 

[Senshi1]

Aye, many an American tourist has been caught out with that one. 😛

 

[Senshi1]

Oh, I also read an interview with Uma Thurman once in which she mentioned something about being a "slapper". Presumably she meant as in the fighting style, but in Britain, a 'slapper' is another word for a slut.

 

[TKLVR181]

*Note to self, if you ever get caught in the cuffs by tkfan, DON'T call her a slapper:laughing:*

 

[XxMystxX]

Oh come now, I can't believe no one has mentioned the obvious, "tube to the flat" mannerism! XD

Tube = Subway
Flat = Apartment

Also, I might be mistaken (but i'm not XD), but doesn't "bloody" roughly translate into "fucking"; or hold the same vulgar 'level' as here in America?

 

[LonelyKimiko]

Am I right in saying Wanker isnt a used word in America?

 

[juggernaut]

I was reading a british motorcycle magazine and they reviewed a new bike saying "There's even room under the seat for a packet of fags."

Had to get online to find out that means cigarettes.

 

[Budweiserbob!]

Do you have chavs over in america? >_>

 

[Senshi1]

Oh, Chavs - LOL. They even put that in the Oxford Dictionary, didn't they? 😀

 

[Comfortably Numb]

You are all forgetting the obvious ones people!

Jam(UK) = Jelly(US)
Jelly = Jello

Chips = Fries
Crisps = Chips

Very confusing!!

Pavement = Sidewalk

erm....i'm sure i can think of more!

 

[Senshi1]

Oh yeah, that reminded me of a sketch on "Bo Selecta". 😛

Craig David goes to New York, and he's sitting in a café. Talking to the camera, he says, in a thick Leeds accent, "It's a weird place, America. I asked for fish and chips, and look - they gave me fookin' fish and crisps!" 😛 😀

 

[juggernaut]

I have an english girlfriend who calls people "muppets". What does that mean to brits?

 

[SF85]

Also, I might be mistaken (but i'm not XD), but doesn't "bloody" roughly translate into "fucking"; or hold the same vulgar 'level' as here in America?

Bloody is a lot more acceptable than fuck. About the same level as an American using damn I believe.

I have an english girlfriend who calls people "muppets". What does that mean to brits?

A muppet is someone who's a wee bit daft.

 

[Budweiserbob!]

Yeah, here's an example given in Bristolian (people from Bristol) form.

"Oi, you spilt me drink, yer gert muppet!"

 

[P4E1]

Wanker - Jerkoff

Not sure of any more, they've all been said...!

Bloody is a vulgar word here in Britain as well as the US.

 

[LonelyKimiko]

Motorway - Highway 😉 .

 

[DarthGrinn]

Numpty = Dumbass (I could be wrong tho, I have a few English friends that use it a lot)

Git = ?? I was told it's a term to show contempt, but it's not really offensive, and can even be good-natured.

I can't think of a term that us "Yanks" would use to show contempt, without being offensive...

English version:

A: I just won the lottery!
B: You lucky git!

American version:

A: I just won the lottery!
B: You lucky sonofabitch!

lol

 

[yami]

Say "can't" with a British accent... ^_^

 

[Hungarian21]

I say poopy, they say shit...does that count? XD

 

[MistressValerie1]

I have to remember to spell "bloody" as "bl**dy" at predominantly British message boards because they think it is terribly naughty 😉

A few more:

flashlight = torch
guy/dude = bloke (old UK slang)
elevator = lift
baby buggy = pram
panties = knickers