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?

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

Here are a few that I had to change:

Canadian. UK

Washroom. Toilet
Parking Lot. Car Park
Intersection. Junction

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

Avoid them all and go back to speaking real english!! Life will be much simpler that way:-)

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

like riding a bicycle?

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

I think it was Gingerert who put together a UK-US dictionary in the wiki:

Category:USA British to American Dictionary : British Expat Wiki

People shouting about their fannies is the main one that makes me giggle here.

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

Ohhh!! I DO agree with this!!! :)

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

Intersection/junction is a good one!! I forgot all about that one!

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

This is what I find. When I'm in England, the British vocabulary and syntax comes naturally. One that does trip me up, though, is when someone bumps into me in a crowded shop etc. I tend to say "excuse me" when I tank the correct British response would be "sorry." (Maybe I got that the wrong way around?)

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

'Sorry' is so British isn't it?

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

IMO the difference is that most Brits can put two and two together and figure out that intersection means junction, warder means water, trash can means bin. Many Americans can't.

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

I had to think about this but I am pretty sure I still say, "I'm sorry" rather than "Excuse me".

I also tend to say things are "lovely". I don't notice it but Americans do. They love it! ;)

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

Especially in a restaurant, when the person is miming lifting a glass to their lips repeatedly.

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

A word that I had forgotten about, that is used here regularly, is "superb". I quite like it.

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

Or...I'm just going outside for a fag...I'm dying for a fag.

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

Can I bum a fag?

I think the problems are all going this way. I can't think of an Americanism that won't be understood over there, as you said.