Language Differences between USA and UK
Jun 22nd 2014, 3:26 pm
#1
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
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 22nd 2014, 3:39 pm
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Scotland, just!
Posts: 2,053
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?
Canadian. UK
Washroom. Toilet
Parking Lot. Car Park
Intersection. Junction
Jun 22nd 2014, 3:45 pm
#3
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 800
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
Avoid them all and go back to speaking real english!! Life will be much simpler that way:-)
Jun 22nd 2014, 3:49 pm
#4
WhiteRabbit
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 1,480
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
like riding a bicycle?
Jun 22nd 2014, 3:55 pm
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
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.
Category:USA British to American Dictionary : British Expat Wiki
People shouting about their fannies is the main one that makes me giggle here.
Jun 22nd 2014, 4:15 pm
#8
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,540
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?)
Jun 22nd 2014, 4:16 pm
#9
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
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?)
Jun 22nd 2014, 4:23 pm
#10
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,021
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.
Jun 22nd 2014, 4:25 pm
#11
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
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?)
I also tend to say things are "lovely". I don't notice it but Americans do. They love it!
Jun 22nd 2014, 4:30 pm
#13
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Scotland, just!
Posts: 2,053
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.
Jun 22nd 2014, 4:31 pm
#14
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,021
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.
Category:USA British to American Dictionary : British Expat Wiki
People shouting about their fannies is the main one that makes me giggle here.
Jun 22nd 2014, 4:32 pm
#15
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
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.
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.
Last edited by Sally Redux; Jun 22nd 2014 at 4:34 pm.