Originally Posted By sarahwithbaloo Loads of threads over the past few months have come up with different words, that mean different things in the different countrys, some that can create embaressment if used in the UK (I think most of you know the one I mean) Now I'm not starting a thread that is going to explore different offensive words that some people will get and others not because of where they come from (I point that out to the Admin staff straight away) but I thought it would be fun to come up with a few. These diferences even stretch to book and movie titles.
Originally Posted By sarahwithbaloo (I'll nick the ones I used on another thread to start) Basil the Great Mouse Detective (UK) The Great Mouse Detective (US) Phillip Pullmans' Northern Lights (UK) The Golden Compass (US) Diana Gabladon Cross stitch (UK) Outlander (US)
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS I used to be a bartender at a music club and there were some gents from Australia who came in. They didn't know the area so a few friends and I took them out to dinner. One of the Aussies asked me if he could have the sugar shaker, and I said "knock yourself out". He looked at me very strangely and I had to explain to him that it meant for him to go ahead and take the sugar shaker.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 holiday: US - meaning Christmas, Easter, etc UK - vacation caned: US - beat with a cane Ireland - go out drinking
Originally Posted By sarahwithbaloo Sorry I just realised that I should have said I named the thread UK-US because Im from the UK and alot of those things have come up lately but lets get snipetts from all our LPers around the globe.
Originally Posted By alexbook It was either Winston Churchill or George Bernard Shaw (authorities disagree) who described the United States and England are "two great nations separated by a common language." ----- One that came up recently: UK: boot (of a car) US: trunk UK: car boot sale US: flea market ----- Words which may be useful in this discussion: Americanism: "A word, phrase, or idiom characteristic of English as it is spoken in the United States." Anglicism: ...in England. Briticism: ...in the UK. Indianism: ...in India. Not sure what the equivalents for Canada, Ireland, Australia, etc., would be.
Originally Posted By officerminnie UK: Rubber US: Eraser UK: Garden US: Yard UK: Fringe US: Bangs (as in hair)
Originally Posted By sarahwithbaloo Pants (US) Trousers (UK) Underpants (US) Pants (UK) Pantyhose (US) Tights (UK) Diaper (US) Nappy (UK)
Originally Posted By bloona Stroller (USA) Pushchair/buggy (UK) Diaper (USA) Nappy (UK) Sidewalk (USA) Footpath (UK) Restroom (USA) Toilets (UK) Rental car (USA) Hire Car (UK) Teeter Totter (USA) See Saw (UK) BooBoo (heard this on cartoons...lol) (USA) Poorly (thats what we call them anyway) (UK) oh there are loads arent there? Good one Sarah!
Originally Posted By sarahwithbaloo THis one has got me a few times in the US Chips (UK) Frys (US) Crisps (UK) Chips (US)
Originally Posted By debtee Petrol ( Aus & UK ) Gas USA Garbage ( Aus ) Trash ( USA ) Rubbish ( UK ) Post ( Aus & UK ) Ship ( USA )
Originally Posted By debtee Milk ( Aus & UK ) Cream ( USA) Fairy Floss ( Aus ) Candy Floss ( UK) Cotton Candy ( USA )
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost How about one you used in the first paragraph...UK - nick US - steal. I always thought that in the UK bathroom was loo (sp?)
Originally Posted By bloona Loo is the actual toilet you sit on (or stand at!...lol) ,not the room itself. its a slang phrase, not used by everyone.
