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Language Differences between USA and UK

Language Differences between USA and UK

Old Jun 23rd 2014, 1:10 am
  #31  
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Default Re: Language Differences between USA and UK

Originally Posted by Sally Redux
You must be off your trundler mate.
Hmmm . . . similar to off one's rocker, I think?
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Old Jun 23rd 2014, 1:22 am
  #32  
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Default Re: Language Differences between USA and UK

Originally Posted by windsong
Hmmm . . . similar to off one's rocker, I think?
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.
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Old Jun 23rd 2014, 2:43 am
  #33  
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Default Re: Language Differences between USA and UK

Originally Posted by Sally Redux
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.
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.
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Old Jun 23rd 2014, 2:46 am
  #34  
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Default Re: Language Differences between USA and UK

Originally Posted by Novocastrian
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.
I believe it.
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Old Jun 23rd 2014, 3:15 am
  #35  
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Default Re: Language Differences between USA and UK

Originally Posted by spouse of scouse
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
I think they were just odd . I've heard that expression a lot over the years in the UK before I moved over here.
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Old Jun 23rd 2014, 3:19 am
  #36  
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Default Re: Language Differences between USA and UK

Originally Posted by Novocastrian
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.
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Old Jun 23rd 2014, 3:45 am
  #37  
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Default Re: Language Differences between USA and UK

mobile phone, instead of cell phone is one that comes to mind.
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Old Jun 23rd 2014, 5:28 am
  #38  
 
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Default 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.

Last edited by lansbury; Jun 23rd 2014 at 5:34 am.
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Old Jun 23rd 2014, 8:21 am
  #39  
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Default Re: Language Differences between USA and UK

Originally Posted by robin1234
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?)
Actually the true test of Englishness is that BOTH parties should simultaneously and immediately say "Sorry".
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Old Jun 23rd 2014, 12:38 pm
  #40  
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Default Re: Language Differences between USA and UK

Originally Posted by lansbury
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.
It's that piece of cardboard and black sharpie that you carry.
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Old Jun 23rd 2014, 1:06 pm
  #41  
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Default Re: Language Differences between USA and UK

This is a bit rude, sorry...but the expression that always used to make me giggle here is 'he's so spunky!' and the Otis spunkmeyer cookies.

There, I've put you all off your breakfast now.
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Old Jun 23rd 2014, 1:09 pm
  #42  
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Default Re: Language Differences between USA and UK

Originally Posted by Karrie72
This is a bit rude, sorry...but the expression that always used to make me giggle here is 'he's so spunky!' and the Otis spunkmeyer cookies.

There, I've put you all off your breakfast now.
Have never seen them

"Hi, I'm Randi" sometimes still takes me aback.
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Old Jun 23rd 2014, 1:30 pm
  #43  
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Default Re: Language Differences between USA and UK

Originally Posted by Sally Redux
Have never seen them

"Hi, I'm Randi" sometimes still takes me aback.
Do you hear that a lot then?
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Old Jun 23rd 2014, 1:33 pm
  #44  
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Default Re: Language Differences between USA and UK

Originally Posted by moneypenny20
Do you hear that a lot then?
You do, hope springs eternal
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Old Jun 23rd 2014, 3:09 pm
  #45  
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Default Re: Language Differences between USA and UK

Originally Posted by Sally Redux
Have never seen them

"Hi, I'm Randi" sometimes still takes me aback.
Yes, Randi isn't a name you hear much in the UK...
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