Homework Help!

[Rose_Greenthumb]

For part of my English Language course, we're looking at Americanisms and my homework is to translate some words from British English to American English and vice versa. Trouble is, I'm totally stuck on several of them so I was hoping some of you might be able to help.

These ones are American English and I need the British English version so even a description of what it actually is may well help in several instances.

1. Administration
2. Bureau
3. Dry Goods

These next ones are in British English and I need an American equivalent so I've included some dictionary definitions.

1. Hire purchase - Purchase of a commodity on an installment plan.
2. Mince - Ok I'm not even sure which context this one's supposed to be! But it's probably a finely chopped food, particularly mincemeat.
3. Fender - I've never heard this word but it could be

A) A guard over each wheel of a motor vehicle, for example, that is shaped and positioned so as to block the splashing of water or mud.
B) A device at the front end of a locomotive or streetcar designed to push aside obstructions.
C) A cushioning device, such as a bundle of rope or a piece of timber, used on the side of a vessel or dock to absorb impact or friction.
D) A screen or metal framework placed in front of a fireplace to keep hot coals and debris from falling out.

4. Removal Van
5. Shop assistant - an employee in a shop (but I imagine that's obvious)
6. Spring onion - an onion taken from the ground before the bulb has formed; eaten in salads (not that it's a helpful definition)
7. Subway - An underground tunnel or passage, as for a water main or for pedestrians.
8. Third party insurance
9. Terraced house - one of a section of row houses.
10. Vest - An undershirt.

Thanks!

 

[NMAmy]

For part of my English Language course, we're looking at Americanisms and my homework is to translate some words from British English to American English and vice versa. Trouble is, I'm totally stuck on several of them so I was hoping some of you might be able to help.

These ones are American English and I need the British English version so even a description of what it actually is may well help in several instances.

1. Administration I'm not sure on this one--we usually refer to administration at work meaning the big wigs.
2. Bureau I use a bureau to refer to a chest of drawers or a dresser. Or else a government agency.
3. Dry Goods My dictionary says dry goods are clothing and sewing items as distinguished from food items and hardware. I've heard of dry goods stores but I never really knew what it meant!

These next ones are in British English and I need an American equivalent so I've included some dictionary definitions.

1. Hire purchase - Purchase of a commodity on an installment plan.
2. Mince - Ok I'm not even sure which context this one's supposed to be! But it's probably a finely chopped food, particularly mincemeat.
3. Fender - I've never heard this word but it could be

A) A guard over each wheel of a motor vehicle, for example, that is shaped and positioned so as to block the splashing of water or mud. This is the one I'd pick.

4. Removal Van Moving van
5. Shop assistant - an employee in a shop (but I imagine that's obvious) a cashier, store associate, employee--a lot of different stores call them different things.
6. Spring onion - an onion taken from the ground before the bulb has formed; eaten in salads (not that it's a helpful definition) - Not sure on this one either--maybe a scallion
7. Subway -
8. Third party insurance-Not sure
9. Terraced house -Not sure
10. Vest - An undershirt is what we call it.

Thanks!

I've helped as much as I can. My DH is English so we often have these discussions--he's lived here for over 20 years but every once in awhile he'll come out with something that just bewilders DD and I.

ETA the stuff I left out!

 

[EthansMom]

1. Administration
2. Bureau
3. Dry Goods

These next ones are in British English and I need an American equivalent so I've included some dictionary definitions.

1. Hire purchase - Purchase of a commodity on an installment plan.
2. Mince - Ok I'm not even sure which context this one's supposed to be! But it's probably a finely chopped food, particularly mincemeat.
3. Fender - I've never heard this word but it could be

A) A guard over each wheel of a motor vehicle, for example, that is shaped and positioned so as to block the splashing of water or mud.
B) A device at the front end of a locomotive or streetcar designed to push aside obstructions.
C) A cushioning device, such as a bundle of rope or a piece of timber, used on the side of a vessel or dock to absorb impact or friction.
D) A screen or metal framework placed in front of a fireplace to keep hot coals and debris from falling out.

4. Removal Van
5. Shop assistant - an employee in a shop (but I imagine that's obvious)
6. Spring onion - an onion taken from the ground before the bulb has formed; eaten in salads (not that it's a helpful definition)
7. Subway - An underground tunnel or passage, as for a water main or for pedestrians.
8. Third party insurance
9. Terraced house - one of a section of row houses.
10. Vest - An undershirt.

Thanks!

Okay, I'll give these a try:

1) Hire Purchase - Layaway (American) You pay for the item in installments and receive it when paid in full.

2) Mince - Dice? (we also use mince, but I think dice is more common here in the states)

3) Fender - Bumper (American) It's the piece of metal or plastic on the front and rear of the vehicle that cushions if you are in a "fender bender" (minor accident).

4) Removal Van - Garbage Truck?

5) Shop Assistant - Cashier? Salesperson? Those are the two terms I would use, depending upon the job.

6) Spring Onion - maybe a Green Onion or Chives?

7) Subway - mmm..., well, we use the term Subway here too, but some subway systems are called the "Metro". You also hear of subways being called the "El".

8) Third Party Insurance - maybe Liability Insurance? Liability insurance pays out if someone is injured on my property or by my action.

9) Terraced House - Row House (American)

10) Vest - T-shirt or Undershirt

I hope this helps!

 

[barkley]

try posting this thread on the u.k. community board-i imagine you could get some good information.

 

[PrincessDeb]

For Spring Onion, I would also say "Scallion".
Looks like someone else got the ones that I knew!

 

[Rose_Greenthumb]

Thanks ever so much! Seriously, some of these words are like a whole other language, it's quite amazing really.

 

[KarenAylwood]

This is a great site that I stumbled upon one time:

http://cgi.peak.org/~jeremy/retort.cgi

It's essentially an American/British dictionary. Just type in the word at the top that you want it translated from.
Click on British to type in a british word and get the American equivalent and click on American... you get the idea.

I was trying to convince DBF that "dop kit" was a real term- after googling it, I found this site!

 

[mepperson]

Okay, I'll give these a try:
7) Subway - mmm..., well, we use the term Subway here too, but some subway systems are called the "Metro". You also hear of subways being called the "El".QUOTE]

I think an "L" train is the opposite of a subway train. The L means elevated - above ground, not below. The always show the L on ER - you go up the stairs to a platform, not down into the sub station.

 

[EthansMom]

Okay, I'll give these a try:
7) Subway - mmm..., well, we use the term Subway here too, but some subway systems are called the "Metro". You also hear of subways being called the "El".QUOTE]

I think an "L" train is the opposite of a subway train. The L means elevated - above ground, not below. The always show the L on ER - you go up the stairs to a platform, not down into the sub station.

Aaaah, now that makes sense! Can you tell I'm not a big city gal?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

These ones are American English and I need the British English version so even a description of what it actually is may well help in several instances.


These next ones are in British English and I need an American equivalent so I've included some dictionary definitions.

2. Mince -
To chop very finely - smaller than dicing, like when you cut garlic in teeny pieces.

3. Fender -

A) A guard over each wheel of a motor vehicle, for example, that is shaped and positioned so as to block the splashing of water or mud.

4. Removal Van
I look at this as a van used to take away stuff. For instance, when I cleaned out my backyard & had a bunch of junk I wanted to send to the dump I called a removal van to haul it away.


5. Shop assistant
Shop clerk


7. Subway
Train that goes underground - they have them in New York. In Europe their called the metro.

10. Vest
Part of a three-piece suit that is sleeveless and goes over the shirt, under the jacket. Usually is buttoned up.

 

[MELISAZACK]

third party insurance is -health insurance here in the states it is likely the same there.

 

[Rose_Greenthumb]

I know what the English ones are, I just need the American word for it.

 

[Lynn CC]

The only thing that comes to mind is

Holiday...Vacation

"on holiday", I was once asked if I was on holiday while sitting around the pool at Disney, I had no idea what she was talking about, I won't get into it, but I said something really stupid LOL