Global differences in the English language

Discussion in 'Et Cetera, Et Cetera' started by dongalong, Aug 30, 2006.

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  1. dongalong

    dongalong
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    Although we all understand each other (most of the time!!!) There are many differences in everyday use of English, for example:

    UK - Fanny = vagina
    US - Fanny = bum

    UK - Toilet = place you go to urinate or have a dump (or other activities:wink:)
    US - Restroom = place you go to urinate or have a dump (or other activities:biggrin1: ) but there aren't usually any sofas or chairs so why is it called a restroom?

    AUS - Spunk = hunky guy
    UK - Spunk = semen

    List all the strange things that you have heard from other Anglophones
     
    #1 dongalong, Aug 30, 2006
  2. Pecker

    Pecker Retired Moderator
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    Food gets confusing:

    UK / US

    aubergine / eggplant

    biscuit / cookie

    candy floss / cotton candy

    chips / french fries

    conserves / preserves

    cornflour / cornstarch

    courgettes / zucchini

    crisps / potato chips

    fish fingers / fish sticks

    jacket potato / baked potato

    jam / jelly

    jelly / jello

    mince / ground meat (hamburger)

    porridge / oatmeal

    pudding / dessert

    sweet / dessert

    tinned / canned
     
    #2 Pecker, Aug 30, 2006
  3. DaveyR

    DaveyR Retired Moderator
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    UK Boot = Rear of a car
    US Trunk

    UK Tap = Domestic water source
    US Fawcet

    UK Jelly = Gelatin based fruit desert
    US Jello

    UK Chips = fried potatoes
    US French Fries

    UK Crisps = Flavoured thinly sliced fried potatoes
    UK Chips

    UK Lift
    US Elevator

    UK Treacle
    US Molasses

    UK Aubergine
    US Egg Plant
     
    #3 DaveyR, Aug 30, 2006
  4. Spoogesicle

    Spoogesicle New Member

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    The concierge of a London hotel (hôtel for Alex) asked an American guest, "At what time would you liked to be knocked up?" She slapped him.
     
    #4 Spoogesicle, Aug 30, 2006
  5. Spoogesicle

    Spoogesicle New Member

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    And let's not forget that putting a fag between one's lips in the UK means something completely different in the US.
     
    #5 Spoogesicle, Aug 30, 2006
  6. B_big dirigible

    B_big dirigible New Member

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    "Napkins" used at the table, and the fact that "hamburger" contains no ham, still cause some consternation to one of my brothers in-law. That, and confusion between fries, crisps, chips, etc.

    I still appreciate the phrase "motoring with a fully laden boot". Not needed if one has a "lorry" or even a "caravan".

    Any auto repair manual with a sentence like "Use a Whitworth spanner to slacken the lower grunion banjos" can't be all bad.

    Around here, "thermionic valves" for my ancient "wireless" are not easily procured. Vacuum tubes for the old radio aren't such a challenge.

    It's the spelling which simply has to go. Civilisation, harbour, colour, waggon, reflexion, tyre - there's no excuse for such frivolities.
     
    #6 B_big dirigible, Aug 30, 2006
  7. B_Stronzo

    B_Stronzo New Member

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    US - drunk
    UK - pissed

    US- waiting in line
    UK - queuing up

    US - progam
    UK - programme (identical to its French ancestor)

    US - jerking off
    UK - wanking

    US - truck
    UK - lorry
     
    #7 B_Stronzo, Aug 30, 2006
  8. mindseye

    mindseye
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    #8 mindseye, Aug 30, 2006
  9. Lordpendragon

    Lordpendragon
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    Yes, we've long had a taste for faggots, in the North at least. Size definitely matters though, I have managed four small ones before, but find one large one more than satisfying.

    Also our language changes, for example it is now quite common to call your friends cunt as an alternative to buddy, pal or mate. Furthermore to say fuck you is regarded as a term of endearment between friends on parting.

    So next time you are in the UK, my American cousins, it will be quite hip for you to say to any Brit, "Fuck you, cunt".
     
    #9 Lordpendragon, Aug 30, 2006
  10. dongalong

    dongalong
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    Does anyone understand:
    Get tee fuck yee bastart!!!

    Choob = Arsehole (SCO)

    Numpty = idiot (SCO)

    Totty = pretty girl (NE-England)

    dag = uncool person (AUS)
     
    #10 dongalong, Aug 30, 2006
  11. that_other_guy

    that_other_guy Guest

    Well ... I have the amazing ability to like, put like in front of every like thought ... I don't know if that happens in like other English speaking regions like it does in the US ... :tongue: :rolleyes:
     
    #11 that_other_guy, Aug 30, 2006
  12. SteveHd

    SteveHd
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    I think that's reversed. I usually say "tap water". To me the fixture is "faucet".

    I do have empathy for folks learning English as a second language. English is tough enough w/o such variations.
     
    #12 SteveHd, Aug 30, 2006
  13. Lordpendragon

    Lordpendragon
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    Get tee fuck yee numpty bastard. If you think any totty likes you new av you're a dag choob.
     
    #13 Lordpendragon, Aug 30, 2006
  14. DaveyR

    DaveyR Retired Moderator
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    Ach awaa an bile yer heid.
     
    #14 DaveyR, Aug 30, 2006
  15. DaveyR

    DaveyR Retired Moderator
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    Thanks for that - now I know how to spell your "faucet" correctly.:biggrin1:

    I agree with you on those learning English as a second language - must be very difficult.
     
    #15 DaveyR, Aug 30, 2006
  16. dongalong

    dongalong
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    Alreet Pal!, yoor headen fur a heafor! Yool be greetin if yer no careful!:mad: :biggrin1:
     
    #16 dongalong, Aug 30, 2006
  17. DaveyR

    DaveyR Retired Moderator
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    Ya waantin a Glasgy kiss ya wee bastart?
     
    #17 DaveyR, Aug 30, 2006
  18. dongalong

    dongalong
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    Ad away an shite man, I divven nah what ya seyin like!
     
    #18 dongalong, Aug 30, 2006
  19. Lordpendragon

    Lordpendragon
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    Ats naw wit yur maw said last night. Cum'n'huv'a'go'if'ye'hink'ur'hard'nuff.
     
    #19 Lordpendragon, Aug 30, 2006
  20. DaveyR

    DaveyR Retired Moderator
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    Actually, Haddaway and Shite were my solicitors when I lived in Newcastle!
     
    #20 DaveyR, Aug 30, 2006
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