Last month during our "homeless" period Amy commented that she was anxious to move to England and start learning how to speak English. I told her that we already spoke English, but she insisted "No! We speak American!" How right she was!
Here are some of the many new words we have been learning in English and their American translation:
trousers: pants
pants: boy's underwear
knickers: girl's underwear
plaster: band-aid
nappy: diaper
trainers: tennis shoes
trainer liners: socks
plimsolls: velcro shoes
jumper: sweatshirt
wellingtons/wellies: rainboots
brolley: umbrella
great hall: school dining area
chemist: pharmacy
surgery: doctor's office
coach: bus
carriageway: 2-lane highway
motorway: divided lane highway/freeway
queue: waiting in line
boot: trunk of car
bonnet: hood of car
windscreen: windshield
people carrier: mini van
petrol: gasoline
trolley: shopping cart
lift: elevator
torch: flashlight
post: mail
postman: mailman
cot: crib
telly: TV
rubbish bin: garbage can
diary: calendar
rubber: eraser (hence it is not improper for someone to ask if they can borrow a 'rubber')
loo: toilet/bathroom
cellotape: scotch tape
hob: stovetop
cooker: oven
tea: an evening meal
football: soccer
bobby: police officer
lad: boy
bloke: common guy
chap: higher class guy
love: what blokes call a woman
allo: hello
cheers: thanks/bye
dodgy: suspicious
cheeky: rude, sassy
whilst: the proper form of "while" i.e. "The postman came whilst we were out."
spilt: the past-tense of "spill" i.e. "She spilt her milk."
learnt: the past tense of 'learn' i.e. "Spelling words are to be learnt at home during the week."
walkabout: going on a walk
tig: game of tag
"Y'awright?": a rhetorical greeting; in America: "How are you?"
And now for food...
biscuits: cookies
digestive biscuit: circle-shaped graham cracker
chips: french fries
crisps: potato chips
banger: sausage
bap: hamburger bun
mash: mashed potatoes
squash: liquid juice concentrate
gammon: ham
gherkin: pickle
lolly: sucker
ice lolly: popsicle
sweet: candy
...and we're just beginning!
Who would've thought there were so many differences? Have you gotten any strange looks asking for the wrong thing? I must say that rubber is my favorite. Thanks for the lesson in proper English ... it was fun to read.
ReplyDeletePlimsolls? Really? Remember when we went shopping for trousers? It sounds like you guys are living it up overseas - I'm only slightly jealous!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone say 'ironmonger' or 'spanner' for 'hardware store' and 'wrench'? I remember those two words from an elementary school textbook (no idea what the point of their appearance in the lesson was or what the lesson itself was about, just that they were "real" English words). Also, are the male voices actually higher when they say all these words? I remember a very funny skit with Will Ferrell and others as members of parliament debating which teletubby was best in very high voices.
ReplyDeleteThe local supermarkets advertise having "fishmongers" but I have not heard the term "ironmonger." I also have not heard "spanner" used, but will have to ask the plumber next time he is around.
ReplyDeleteHey Lana
ReplyDeleteYou forgot 'tidy piece' :)
Do you remember that?