Language Differences between USA and UK
Jun 23rd 2014, 3:21 pm
#46
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
There is a Randi Ave and a Ponce Ave near us.
Jun 23rd 2014, 5:32 pm
#47
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,204
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
Ponce is another one no-one gets here.
Bugger too. In England its a casual form of exasperation, as in' Oh bugger, I forgot to switch off the iron.' Here it means something a bit different.
Bugger too. In England its a casual form of exasperation, as in' Oh bugger, I forgot to switch off the iron.' Here it means something a bit different.
Jun 23rd 2014, 6:16 pm
#48
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,965
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
The only time I couldn't translate UK to US was once at work. They had moved the left luggage office in T2 at LHR to a portacabin outside the terminal. The American couple who I was trying to direct to it couldn't understand portacabin. I had to phone the wife at work and ask what is American for portacabin, which as we all know is trailer. That solved the problem for them.
Jun 23rd 2014, 6:50 pm
#49
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
I muttered something about a 'big pansy' under my breath once and my son thought it was great
, not sure if they use that here.
Jun 23rd 2014, 8:30 pm
#50
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
Now that I am moving back to the UK next month, I wonder what "reverse" language differences I will notice. When I first moved to the USA I was teaching, and the students often laughed at some of the things I said - in a nice way - so we agreed I'd teach them English and they would teach me American. 
The example that comes to mind is "eraser" and "rubber"!
Maybe now that I am going back to the UK, there are certain Americanisms I should avoid. Can you think of any?
The example that comes to mind is "eraser" and "rubber"!Maybe now that I am going back to the UK, there are certain Americanisms I should avoid. Can you think of any?
Jun 23rd 2014, 9:03 pm
#51
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Jun 23rd 2014, 9:10 pm
#53
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Jun 23rd 2014, 9:14 pm
#54
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 800
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
I am definitely not going to miss the Bostonians description of everything being "wicked"or "wicked pissa".
Jun 24th 2014, 4:33 am
#56
`
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,611
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
If you don't want to cook or eat out in a restaurant then you order a take-away, not a take out.
'Going forward' means to physically move oneself along a little by some means It does not mean in the future or from now on. 'In the future' means in the future. 'From now on' means from now on.
'Going forward' means to physically move oneself along a little by some means It does not mean in the future or from now on. 'In the future' means in the future. 'From now on' means from now on.
Jun 24th 2014, 8:36 am
#57
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
Jun 24th 2014, 5:12 pm
#58
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2013
Location: Mission, BC, Canada
Posts: 7
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
I use to use 'pansy' all the time 'what a pansy'. Now it would be considered homophobic so best not to be used anymore.
When we first came to Canada my Mum was at the neighbours and they were making plans for the next day, my Mum said to the neighbour 'come and knock me up in the morning', after having a giggle at this the neighbour explained what it meant here, needless to say my Mum never used that expression again.
Another difference is the spelling of words for example Mum they spell it Mom here. I actually had someone ask me what Mum meant.
Jun 25th 2014, 12:16 am
#59
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
My Mum is always calling someone a 'silly buggar' or some such. She is 87 and hasn't given up any of her British sayings for all the time she has been in Canada.
I use to use 'pansy' all the time 'what a pansy'. Now it would be considered homophobic so best not to be used anymore.
When we first came to Canada my Mum was at the neighbours and they were making plans for the next day, my Mum said to the neighbour 'come and knock me up in the morning', after having a giggle at this the neighbour explained what it meant here, needless to say my Mum never used that expression again.
Another difference is the spelling of words for example Mum they spell it Mom here. I actually had someone ask me what Mum meant.
I use to use 'pansy' all the time 'what a pansy'. Now it would be considered homophobic so best not to be used anymore.
When we first came to Canada my Mum was at the neighbours and they were making plans for the next day, my Mum said to the neighbour 'come and knock me up in the morning', after having a giggle at this the neighbour explained what it meant here, needless to say my Mum never used that expression again.
Another difference is the spelling of words for example Mum they spell it Mom here. I actually had someone ask me what Mum meant.
I know this because hilarity ensued when my mum sent a card to my nephew saying, "Happy Birthday, hope you have a good nosh!"