US English versus English English & customs & attitudes etc etc etc

[2BoysMum&Dad]

Hi everyone,

I used the word "daft" in another message somewhere in the DISboards forums and someone thought this was a rather amuzing "English" word!

Although us Brits and Americans are so similar in many ways, there are some differences too. When we visit WDW, it will be good for us to be prepared beforehand regarding words to avoid and try not to laugh at others!!

Although we have visited the USA before, I would still really appreciate any advice about language to avoid and what customs I should be aware of which greatly differ from English customs.

British people are generally more reserved, so I would recommend to any other Brit - come out of your shell and do not be afraid to speak up! Americans are great for saying whatever they feel and we will never get anywhere or get what we want if we do our usual "cowering in the corner" thing!!

LOL

2BoysMum&Dad

 

[MHopkins2]

I learned (much to my shock) a couple years ago that "take a piss" or "piss on" is Britglish for "tease." In Amerglish, it means something very different and quite disgusting, so I'd avoid that one.

 

[2BoysMum&Dad]

"Take the piss" is the phrase you are after. It is an unpolite phrase in Britain meaning "joke", "taking the piss" = "joking" and not necessarily a phrase you would want to use in front of children (although I don't think it's technically a swear word!). This word is also a verb relating to going to the toilet or "restroom"!!!

Could a few Americans please explain this "rest room" business please? Do you get offended if we use the word "toilet"? British people are far more likely to ask where the toilets are (or if you are lucky, might ask for the bathroom!).

2BoysMum&Dad

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by 2BoysMum&Dad
Although we have visited the USA before, I would still really appreciate any advice about language to avoid and what customs I should be aware of which greatly differ from English customs.

Please come, enjoy yourselves and most importantly, be yourselves! It'd be a terrible waste of a wonderful vacation walking around on tiptoe, hoping to avoid offending anyone/everyone. Speak up, have fun, and if someone looks at your oddly, just smile and tell them you're from "out of town."

 

[WDWHound]

The first time in England I heard someone refer to a cigarette as a *** , it caught me quite off gaurd. Not a good term to use in the US.

LOL, apparently the profanity checker doesn't appreciate the English meaning of this word (rhymes with bag, starts with an f)

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by 2BoysMum&Dad
Could a few Americans please explain this "rest room" business please? Do you get offended if we use the word "toilet"? British people are far more likely to ask where the toilets are (or if you are lucky, might ask for the bathroom!).

2BoysMum&Dad

"Toilet" is a perfectly acceptable word to use. You might hear it referred to as "little boys room" or "little girls room", "mens room" or "ladies room". Rest room is a generic term used to refer to toilets without being gender-specific.

 

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by 2BoysMum&Dad
"Take the piss" is the phrase you are after.

I was close!

Could a few Americans please explain this "rest room" business please? Do you get offended if we use the word "toilet"? British people are far more likely to ask where the toilets are (or if you are lucky, might ask for the bathroom!).

"Toilet" would be relatively unusual for an American, but by no means offensive.

[What a fun thread!!!]

 

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by WDWHound
The first time in England I heard someone refer to a cigarette as a *** , it caught me quite off gaurd. Not a good term to use in the US.

LOL, apparently the profanity checker doesn't appreciate the English meaning of this work (rhymes with bag, starts with an f)

Heh. I was thinking of that one too.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Yes, please feel welcome as you visit the colonies! I don't have any specific advice - other than the whole 'drive on the left/drive on the right' issue - but you'll find that some of us "Mericans" are a bit more puritanical about some things that the rest of the world is a bit more relaxed about (Ms. Jackson's wardrobe malfunction is one example - oh, for a Page 3 girl in the Detroit Free Press! ). I remember reading about some folks (from Europe, can't remember where) at Typhoon Lagoon who changed into their swimwear in public view - this seemed to put off some locals.

Well, one thing comes to mind: when you are talking about a feline, please call it a 'cat' - don't pull a Mrs. Slocombe (an "Are You Being Served" reference; probably obscure).

 

[2BoysMum&Dad]

Us Brits always have a good chuckle at "fanny pack/belt/pouch". The word "fanny" is actually a bit rude here and refers to a certain area of female anatomy! Rather perversely, Fanny is also an acceptable first name in Britain! Very strange!

2BoysMum&Dad

 

[acepepper]

"I love a good rough shag." Anyone in the US know what that means?

 

[CheshireVal]

Originally posted by 2BoysMum&Dad

Could a few Americans please explain this "rest room" business please? Do you get offended if we use the word "toilet"? British people are far more likely to ask where the toilets are (or if you are lucky, might ask for the bathroom!).

I was shocked when I traveled to Australia last August and saw the word "toilet" everywhere instead of restroom. I thought it was a little crass.

 

[Harley Chick]

don't pull a Mrs. Slocombe (an "Are You Being Served" reference; probably obscure).

LOL

 

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by acepepper
"I love a good rough shag." Anyone in the US know what that means?

 

[acepepper]

Originally posted by MHopkins2

Well, what does it mean then?

 

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by acepepper
Well, what does it mean then?

A tall carpet made of coarse materials, of course. They're quite the rage here, it's a 70's nostalgia thing - and I love me some retro. What did you think I was grinning about?

 

[ThreeCircles]

Originally posted by 2BoysMum&Dad
Us Brits always have a good chuckle at "fanny pack/belt/pouch". The word "fanny" is actually a bit rude here and refers to a certain area of female anatomy! Rather perversely, Fanny is also an acceptable first name in Britain! Very strange!

2BoysMum&Dad

Sort of like the nick-name that "Richard" sometimes brings about. You know, the whole slang word for the male anatomy.

 

[acepepper]

Originally posted by MHopkins2
A tall carpet made of coarse materials, of course. They're quite the rage here, it's a 70's nostalgia thing - and I love me some retro. What did you think I was grinning about?

Hmm, that's one interpretation. "I love a good rough shag", would be something a pipe smoker in England might say. Rough shag being a type of pipe tobacco.

Btw, anyone wanting an excellent sample of the English language in it's most wonderful form, should get hold of a copy a a British comedy called The Office. It doesn't get any better than that.

 

[2BoysMum&Dad]

... and I now believe all Americans know about this British sitcom - hasn't it just won some US award?

2BoysMum&Dad

 

[MHopkins2]

Originally posted by 2BoysMum&Dad
... and I now believe all Americans know about this British sitcom - hasn't it just won some US award?

2BoysMum&Dad

Sue, is that you???