British Expats
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British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)
-   Moving back or to the UK (https://britishexpats.com/forum/moving-back-uk-61/)
-   -   Language Differences between USA and UK (https://britishexpats.com/forum/moving-back-uk-61/language-differences-between-usa-uk-837126/)

Jerseygirl Jun 22nd 2014 4:35 am
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 
Originally Posted by Sally Redux (Post 11311852)
Can I bum a fag?
Good one.

:hysterical:

robin1234 Jun 22nd 2014 5:16 am
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 
Originally Posted by Sally Redux (Post 11311852)

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 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.)

spouse of scouse Jun 22nd 2014 5:30 am
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:

spouse of scouse Jun 22nd 2014 5:32 am
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 
Americans, particularly females, might want to avoid discussing their fanny in the UK

windsong Jun 22nd 2014 5:36 am
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 
Originally Posted by spouse of scouse (Post 11311888)
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:
:rofl::rofl::rofl:

deepcpearl Jun 22nd 2014 5:44 am
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 
Originally Posted by robin1234 (Post 11311877)
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.)
: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?"

kimilseung Jun 22nd 2014 5:47 am
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 
Originally Posted by robin1234 (Post 11311837)
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?)
The correct British response is "Did you just spill me pint?"

robin1234 Jun 22nd 2014 7:49 am
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 
Originally Posted by spouse of scouse (Post 11311890)
Americans, particularly females, might want to avoid discussing their fanny in the 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.

windsong Jun 22nd 2014 11:59 am
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. ;)

Jerseygirl Jun 22nd 2014 12:01 pm
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 
Originally Posted by windsong (Post 11312143)
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. ;)
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.

windsong Jun 22nd 2014 12:18 pm
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 
Here's an expression - sort of ;)

Trash bag vs bin liner.

BEVS Jun 22nd 2014 12:37 pm
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.

windsong Jun 22nd 2014 12:40 pm
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 
Originally Posted by BEVS (Post 11312163)
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.
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. ;)

Sally Redux Jun 22nd 2014 12:53 pm
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 
Originally Posted by BEVS (Post 11312163)
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.
You must be off your trundler mate.

Sally Redux Jun 22nd 2014 1:07 pm
Re: Language Differences between USA and UK
 
'She bangs' in English is 'She fringes'.


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