Word differences UK to USA
Mar 28th 2010, 4:20 pm
#1
Taunton, Somerset to PA
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 196
Word differences UK to USA
Some random word differences I had some trouble with when I first moved over.
Pavement: Sidewalk
Road: Pavement
Bill: Check
Cheque: Check
Boot: Trunk
Bonnet: Hood
Wing: Fender
Strimmer: Weed wacker
Garden: Yard
Post: Mail
Motorway: Interstate
Grill: Broiler
Hire car: Rental
Holiday: Vacation
Mobile: Cell
Minced beef: Ground beef
Chemist: Pharmacy
MOT: Inspection
Pavement: Sidewalk
Road: Pavement
Bill: Check
Cheque: Check
Boot: Trunk
Bonnet: Hood
Wing: Fender
Strimmer: Weed wacker
Garden: Yard
Post: Mail
Motorway: Interstate
Grill: Broiler
Hire car: Rental
Holiday: Vacation
Mobile: Cell
Minced beef: Ground beef
Chemist: Pharmacy
MOT: Inspection
Mar 28th 2010, 4:49 pm
#3
Taunton, Somerset to PA
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 196
Re: Word differences UK to USA
Sorry I did not know this had been covered, please delete the post
Mar 28th 2010, 5:09 pm
#5
MODERATOR
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Hong Kong, mostly.
Posts: 5,214
Re: Word differences UK to USA
No need to cancel. Just check the wiki and add anything else you've come across.
Mar 28th 2010, 5:50 pm
#7
Not here much
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Highland Park, NJ
Posts: 2,452
Re: Word differences UK to USA
Having kids introduces all sorts of new ones. I recently heard the phrase "Silly Willy" from my 2 year old. I thought she'd just got it wrong and corrected it to "Silly Billy". Apparently in the US I'm wrong.
They also do the Hokey Pokey rather than the Okey Cokey.
They also do the Hokey Pokey rather than the Okey Cokey.
Mar 28th 2010, 6:58 pm
#8
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 0
Re: Word differences UK to USA
And the oh so famous rubber/eraser (snigger snigger
)
Mar 28th 2010, 7:25 pm
#9
Shocked of Redmond
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 3,446
Re: Word differences UK to USA
Marge: Remember, an elevator is called a 'lift,' a mile is called a 'kilometer,' and botulism is called 'steak and kidney pie.'
Mar 28th 2010, 7:45 pm
#10
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,605
Re: Word differences UK to USA
"Burgle", however, is universal. 
Mar 30th 2010, 2:41 am
#13
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2009
Location: Illinois
Posts: 338
Re: Word differences UK to USA
John Thomas is the one that confuses me. I wonder how that became associated with, uh, the "P" word.
Mar 30th 2010, 2:45 am
#14
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 8,497
Re: Word differences UK to USA
Then again, I used to have a client named Tom Collins.
Mar 30th 2010, 3:39 am
#15
Shocked of Redmond
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 3,446
Re: Word differences UK to USA
Mr Hardwood: And let me tell you, I'd no more place her in the hands of an unworthy man than I'd place my John Thomas in the hands of a lunatic with a pair of scissors.