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

[elisebutt]

Other words for the toilet also include 'the loo' or not so politely - 'the bog'.
You might also overhear lads stating that they're just going for a 'slash' or even a Jimmy - slang - Jimmy Riddle = piddle.

I won't even go into other bodily functions - lol

But like stated earlier - I got strange looks when I said that I needed to have a f*g (cigarette) in a restaurant.

You seem to have different names even for the dinner courses - we have a main - you have an entree
we have a starter - you have an appetiser

List goes on........

 

[k&a&c'smom]

This is such a fun thread!! I have just retired from the postal service, but the last few months before retirement, we had an Australian lady join us - we all had great fun with our version of the English language!!

My comment is that British people have much better grammar - while in line for Kali River Rapids last year, a British family (grandfather, boy, mom, dad) was right behind us. We couldn't help but overhear the boy asking about how "wet" they would get, and we struck up a conversation - during which I asked the boy what rides he had already been on. The young man was mightily confused, and his grandfather asked me to repeat my question. To my great amusement, he then translated to the boy "she wants to know what you have ridden.

I agree, come, visit, laugh, it's all good!!!

 

[Danauk]

Another one I found amusing whilst visiting a friend in Arizona. My friends dad went out to get tea at the local KFC after a day out at the Grand Canyon. He came back with the usual chicken and fries. He then asked if I wanted a scone with my chicken. I was quite confused at this as a scone in England is usually a sweet type of food. But the scones he had got at the KFC were savory, a bit like soda bread over here.
Also I found out when me friend visited us she didn't know what a trifle was!

 

[sallybrealey]

I got into a bit of a row with a girl at US as she tried to push in front of me to meet a character, I kept saying to her 'there is a queue and get in the queue' but she didnt understand me ! The attendant had to translate to 'get in the line' I was so fustrated cause we were speaking the same language but she couldnt understand me

It was quite funny

 

[Danauk]

I've just thought of another thing ( I was watching the Simpsons episode set in England!) American's do not have roundabouts! My friend from the USA loved them. She could not understand why we did not crash on them. Equally whilst I was driving in the USA I could not get used to turning right on a red light!

 

[lsyorke]

"I used the word "daft" in another message "

ROFL!!! My Mom(from Scotland) used to call alot of people "daft buggers"!!. I haven't thought about that in ages. Thanks for the memories.

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

I love this thread.

You wil find that even in the US people from different regions use more colloquilisms that they sometimes can't understand each other.

We do have roundabouts here, they have begun to change the name from rotaries. When we first heard the phrase we cracked up - roundabout what? Well it was roundabout noon and we where roundabout the area of the mall now we were gonna be roundabout the rotary.
I also get looks in WDW when I ask for Tonic, which is a very Boston name for soda or pop. Whereas soda here is something you mix with your scotch and Pop is the guy in the barcolounger (big chair that reclines)with the remote.

Oh BTW - we do use the phrase Wicked Pissa, in our area. As in "It was wicked pissa the the Patriots won the Superbowl!"

 

[LindaG4458]

This is a lot of fun.

If you ask "Do you mind if I pinch your seat?"you might receive some strange looks. This is one of my husband's favorite British phrases.

 

[musicalSaranader]

I am absolutely loving this thread! I've always loved the British. This thread could help me when I eventually study abroad in England.

My friend went to England this winter and told me one: here, guys call pretty girls "chics" and in England they're called "birds". And she told me a term the Brits use for an ugly girl, but I can't remember what it was. I have a feeling it wouldn't be a very nice word to say, either.

 

[laurie31]

Originally posted by musicalSaranader
I am absolutely loving this thread! I've always loved the British. This thread could help me when I eventually study abroad in England.

Oh, I spent my junior year in England I loved it - you will have so much fun! (not to mention gain a whole new perspective on your own country )

I don't think anyone in either country will be offended/annoyed when you use an unfamiliar word or phrase but it is frustrating when you can't communicate although you're speaking (almost) the same language. For example, a Brit would take the lift to the first floor. An American would take the elevator to the second floor. The lift/elevator thing has been mentioned, but the "floor" thing can really throw you off...um, that is, confuse you The US 1st floor is the Brit ground floor. The US 2nd floor is the Brit 1st floor. We have ground floors in the US also, but they are the level below the main level, and may also be called the basement level.

Also:

Truck = lorry
sweater= jumper
garbage = rubbish
vacation = holiday
exit = way out
yield = give way
max clearance = max headroom

I know I'll think of tons more after I click send...my junior year was a looong time ago (but I've been back 3 times since then and can't wait to take my kids one day - I love England!) I hope the OP and any other visiting Brits will enjoy their trip here as much as I enjoyed my time there

Laurie

 

[marlouwrig]

And she told me a term the Brits use for an ugly girl, but I can't remember what it was. I have a feeling it wouldn't be a very nice word to say, either.




Asked DS about this.

He reckons the word you are looking for is 'minger' (whatever that means) or maybe 'dog'

However he assures me that neither of these are terms that he would use.

Have really enjoyed reading this threadAnd she told me a term the Brits use for an ugly girl, but I can't remember what it was. I have a feeling it wouldn't be a very nice word to say, either.

 

[musicalSaranader]

Minger, that's it. I don't really know what it means either, but according to what my friend said it probably isn't nice.

 

[2BoysMum&Dad]

When I started this thread I didn't realise it would get so much response or create so much interest and bring smiles to so many faces! There are so many more differences than I initially thought.

When I have conversations with friends and family about the differences in our language, there is something that is often mentioned. Someone might say "have you noticed what the Americans have done with ........." and give an example. It often turns out that it's us Brits who have changed the usage or meaning and not Americans!!

Something others have mentioned here is the use of "pavement" which here is what people walk on and the "road" is where the cars go. There are some different words for "road" including "highway" (American mainly) and motorway (two or more lanes in each direction with a "hard shoulder").

Do you have a "hard shoulder" on US highways and what are they called? It's the lane which is only supposed to be used in emergencies.

2BoysMum&Dad

 

[Gary M]

This is nothing about words, but about eating. Most Americans when cutting food hold the fork in the left hand (assumimg they are right handed) and cut with the knife in the right hand. After cutting the food we switch hands and eat with our right hand. British and most Europeans keep the fork in the left hand and eat that way.

 

[momm2four]

That's funny that someone mentioned the word "boot" for the trunk of a car. I am reading James Herriot's series which relate his time as a vet in England and they keep saying "boot". What is funny is that I am from a small town in eastern NC and my family always called the trunk of the car a "boot".

Lori P.

 

[2BoysMum&Dad]

In Britain, it's customary to cut your food as you go along and will therefore keep your fork in the left hand and knife in the right hand throughout the meal.

There are occasions and types of food where it is perfectly acceptable to dispense with your knife - in this case you would hold the fork in your right hand. But in general, if there is food on your plate that needs cutting you are expected to hold the fork in your left hand and knife in the right throughout the meal.

I'd be interested to know of other customs which are different, I cannot think of ANY others! I don't think driving on the wrong side of the road counts! That's a rule of driving rather than a custom (probably!).

Any ideas anyone?

2BoysMum&Dad

 

[Princess Aurora45]

I've taken the opportunity to talk with many visitors to WDW from the U.K. and I have to say that I have never encountered a rude or unfriendly person from your country!

Believe me there are a lot of rude and obnoxious (sp?) people in the UK, they just dont normally go to disney.

 

[2BoysMum&Dad]

I always worry when people generalise about a nation's behaviour, politeness and attitudes as there are always exceptions, as you said Princess Aurora45.

But, saying that, I am sure there are very few obnoxious people at WDW (I hope). If all Disney visitors are like the people I have met in Disboards, we will not come across ANY rude or obnoxious people in WDW.

You are all wonderful!

2BoysMum&Dad

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

I think just about anything you say will be acceptable as long as it delivered in that "brilliant" British accent!

It always strikes me as funny to hear British people using vulgarities in movies. My personal stereotype of the British is that they are well-mannered, very proper.

We had an enjoyable encounter with a group of British at WDW last November. Our trip planning video featured several British guests and my kids enjoyed trying to imitate their accent. While we were waiting in line at Kali River Rapids, a group of British caught them doing this and we had fun trying our accents on "authentic British"! We couldn't get them to try an American accent though!

 

[I Love Tigger]

Since my wonderful best friend is American we've found a few differences, and learnt so much about each other's lives and customs but the one that surprised me most is her not knowing about "Boxing day" but she can now make wonderful Yorkshire Puddings and they also now love Trifle

Bev