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.

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

Good one.

:hysterical:

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

I don't know. As a matter of principle, if an American ever says anything to me while in England, I think I'll look extremely sceptical, and say "I beg your pardon?" (Even if in fact I understood them perfectly.)

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

I don't know about US - UK, but I've had some funny moments in the UK when using terminology that's common in Oz.

Scouse and I were staying with friends one Wednesday, and as they headed off to work I said 'cheer up, at least it's hump day'. They went off all flustered :lol:

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

Americans, particularly females, might want to avoid discussing their fanny in the UK

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

:rofl: Exactly! For me, it's if a Canadian speaks to me. I need to start practising that look of "You've grown a second head," while screwing up my face and saying, "Huh?"

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

The correct British response is "Did you just spill me pint?"

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

I'll have to remember that. If in England, look a bit disapproving if women come up to me intent on discussing their fanny.

But in the US it's OK.

I think I got it.

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

Let's see . . . there's biscuits/cookies and sweets/candy but what about phrases or expressions? It will be a lot harder to come up with some of those. ;)

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

I really don't think you will have a problem. As I said in my post earlier today...most Brits can put 2 and 2 together and easily work out what you are talking about.

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

Here's an expression - sort of ;)

Trash bag vs bin liner.

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

You will not be using a trundler to collect your groceries . Trundlers are for toddlers to aid walking. You will be, quite rightly, using a trolley.

Please do not consistently tell people to 'Have a Nice Day' , You might end up with yer lights punched out.

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

Ha ha!! I love it when the cashiers in the grocery stores here tell me to have a nice day because I usually "hear it" when I have had a bad day! lol

Good one about the trolley, too, although I have never heard the term, "trundler". I will have to get used to calling them trolleys instead of carts. ;)

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

You must be off your trundler mate.

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

'She bangs' in English is 'She fringes'.

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Hmmm . . . similar to off one's rocker, I think?

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

I'm just being silly.

You'll be fine over there, people watch a lot of US films and TV anyway, and go to Florida, they will understand you.

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

Don't be so sure. It works both ways. I remember when, not long after I moved to California in 1977, I got a bit lost so I went into a gas station (sorry garage) and asked the fellow behind the cash register (guy on the checkout) if he had a map.

"A map?" said he, "Why, what have you spilled?"

True story.

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

I believe it.

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

I think they were just odd ;). I've heard that expression a lot over the years in the UK before I moved over here.

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

:lol:

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

mobile phone, instead of cell phone is one that comes to mind.

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

It's amazing the number of people who travel between the US and UK each day and can make themselves understood. Personally been doing it for almost 20 years. :rofl:

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

Actually the true test of Englishness is that BOTH parties should simultaneously and immediately say "Sorry".

Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 

It's that piece of cardboard and black sharpie that you carry.