American words

[major]

Hi just wonderin if anybody knew some american words which r different frae brittish cos ma cous is really exicited and wants 2 no.! please answer!


Thanx alot lil_lisa! and kath

 

[jubileegirl]

Fanny pack for bumbag!

Ladies keep their wallet in their purse (ie purse in their handbag)

Trousers are pants.

And I think that the pavement is called the sidewalk whilst American's call the edge of the road (the gutter) the pavement. So you don't tell a child to walk on the pavement as they will think you're telling them to walk in the road!!

 

[major]

thanx if u no anymore tel me !

Thanx Lisa and Kath

 

[Rain]

Rest room - toilet
candy - sweets
elevator - lift
closet - wardrobe
drug store - chemist
trunk - car boot
gas - petrol
line - queue
parking lot - car park
popsicle- ice lolly
vacation - holiday
traffic circle - roundabout

 

[Cyndiu]

I found a neat website that has many of these. Try http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/americanbritish.html

 

[major]

Thanx alot xx

 

[Truly]

Don't ask for a ***!!!!

 

[Truly]

Sorry - my post was *** ! I said don't ask for a f-a-g!!!

 

[Melcatfish]

Mel

 

[Truly]

I found Americans to be very polite. I loved their use of Ma'am and Sir. I also liked the way they used the words "restrooms" rather than "toilets". I think you use the word restroom when it is a public convenience, and bathroom when it is in a house?? Is that right?

 

[SimonV]

Absolutely, Truly.

You can also have:

hood = bonnet (car)
divided highway = dual carriageway
ramp = slip road (on motorways)
antenna = aerial
face-cloth = flannel (in hotels; don't even ASK for a flannel, they won't have the slightest idea what you mean!)
silverware/place setting = cutlery
pantyhose = tights
vest = waistcoat
shorty'alls = dungarees

And there are many more!

 

[major]

Thanx u all hav been a good help but if u no anymore please post a reply!


Thanx alot lisa xxxx

 

[Firefly777]

I guess "shorty'alls" is a regional word. I have never heard that before.

Truly: That is generally true, but they can be interchangeable(although most Americans don't call the toilets inside of their house, a restroom).

Like said above, don't use the word "f a g" here, as it's a derogatory word for a homosexual.

 

[edie w]

chips = crisps
fries = chips.

Gets me every time.

stroller = pushchair
cart = shopping trolley
check = bill (in restaurant)
construction = road works
biscuit = savoury scone
cookie = biscuit

 

[major]

You have all been a good help but if u have ne more please post them!

--------------
Lil_Lisa x

 

[UKDEB]

Reading this thread makes me realise just how much 'at home' I feel in the States. Most of these differences now seem totally normal to me. I <i>often</i> find myself asking for 'the check' at restaurants in the UK. Don't think these have been mentioned yet:

Jelly - Jam;
Liquor - Spirits;
Liquor store - Off-licence;
Entree - Main course;
Lines - queues (another one which I find myself using at home - 'stand in line', rather than 'queue up');
Sneakers - trainers;
Downtown - City Centre.

I've completely exchanged the British response of "Fine" to the question "How are you?" for the American "Good". I've tried to stop myself, but it just seems to come naturally. I also find myself asking "How are you doing?" (although not in Joey style!). One thing I haven't cottoned on to, though, is "Excuse me", rather than "I'm sorry" if I accidentally bump into someone, for example.

 

[Dimplenose]

I've mentioned this before, the one that confused me for a while was "momentarily" meanining 'in a moment' rather than meaning 'for a short time'.

Libby

 

[Ocky]

A couple more for major -

bang = fringe
****oo = a cut/graze/bruise
pocketbook - I think like a purse (handbag) but more like a clutch bag - in any case it is neither a book nor small enough to fit in a pocket!

In a supermarket, when they ask 'paper or plastic?' at the checkout they are asking what type of bag you want your groceries packed in, not for your chosen method of payment!

Creamed potatoes - mashed
Eggplant - aubergine
rudebagel (sp?) - swede (studebaker - a car?)

Ocky

 

[yoursis]

In the US we call a knit or wool cardigan or pullover a "sweater". My UK friend calls his a "jumper" which is funny because in the US a jumper is a lady's dress with straps ( the kind you wear a blouse under ). It makes me giggle every time he speaks of wearing a "jumper" to work. They got a laugh at the way we use the word "pants" to mean slacks or trousers, that it is the same as knickers in the UK.

 

[DavidUK]

Zucchini = Courgette

Dunno how usefull it'll be but interesting never the less!!!

cookie - biscuit
biscuit - a typea scone hard bread thing, comes with chicken!!