Learning the Language (and other bits)
"England and America are two countries separated by a common language."--George Bernard Shaw
As nothing particularly exciting has happened in the past week or so, I thought I'd share some of the language differences that I've noticed thus far. Below you will find the British usage and its American equivalent.
Hoover=Vacuum (can be used as both noun and verb...i.e. My hoover is old. or Joe is hoovering the carpet.)
Pants=men's underwear
Trousers=pants
(be careful not to confuse these two)
Dressing gown=bathrobe
Trainers=tennis shoes
Jumper=sweater/pullover
Football=soccer
Noughts and crosses=tic tac toe
Pavement=sidewalk
Post=Mail (noun and verb)
Courgette=Zucchini
Crisps=Chips
Chips=fat french fries
french fries=shoestring fries
biscuit=cookie/cracker
Mince=hamburger
Teas=evening meal (this can vary by region)
Indicator=turn signal
Windscreen=windshield
Boot=Trunk
Bonnet=Hood
Petrol=gas (f0r your car. gas to heat your home is still gas)
Lorry=Semi
Mate=friend/buddy
Cheers=goodbye
Hospital=the hospital (They don't use the definite article: "George is in hospital.")
Surgery=local doctor's office
Plaster=bandaid
Supermarket=grocery store
Chemist=Drugstore/Pharmacy
Hob=stove
Cooker=oven
Zed=the letter z
Lift=elevator
Rubbish=garbage/trash
dustbin=trash can
bin man=garbage collector
Queue (pronounced "cue")=a line you stand in
Solicitor=lawyer
Torch=flashlight
Garden=yard/lawn
Oh, and on a completely random note, I saw popcorn flavored milk the other day.
As nothing particularly exciting has happened in the past week or so, I thought I'd share some of the language differences that I've noticed thus far. Below you will find the British usage and its American equivalent.
Hoover=Vacuum (can be used as both noun and verb...i.e. My hoover is old. or Joe is hoovering the carpet.)
Pants=men's underwear
Trousers=pants
(be careful not to confuse these two)
Dressing gown=bathrobe
Trainers=tennis shoes
Jumper=sweater/pullover
Football=soccer
Noughts and crosses=tic tac toe
Pavement=sidewalk
Post=Mail (noun and verb)
Courgette=Zucchini
Crisps=Chips
Chips=fat french fries
french fries=shoestring fries
biscuit=cookie/cracker
Mince=hamburger
Teas=evening meal (this can vary by region)
Indicator=turn signal
Windscreen=windshield
Boot=Trunk
Bonnet=Hood
Petrol=gas (f0r your car. gas to heat your home is still gas)
Lorry=Semi
Mate=friend/buddy
Cheers=goodbye
Hospital=the hospital (They don't use the definite article: "George is in hospital.")
Surgery=local doctor's office
Plaster=bandaid
Supermarket=grocery store
Chemist=Drugstore/Pharmacy
Hob=stove
Cooker=oven
Zed=the letter z
Lift=elevator
Rubbish=garbage/trash
dustbin=trash can
bin man=garbage collector
Queue (pronounced "cue")=a line you stand in
Solicitor=lawyer
Torch=flashlight
Garden=yard/lawn
Oh, and on a completely random note, I saw popcorn flavored milk the other day.
posted by RevSarah at 6:07 PM
4 Comments:
Sarah, thanks to your post, I've noticed that my English is still (almost) 100% American - I recognized most of the British English terms, but if I open my mouth it's the American terms that come out! No wonder the British people I know call me an "Yank"! :-)
Kisses! Pedro
Popcorn flavored milk! Yum! Can I get mine with extra butter?
Sarah -
First of all - I miss you!! I love reading your blog and what you are experiencing across the pond from us! I have a bit of sad news to share with you that only you will understand....they cancelled Judging Amy!!! AHHHH!! It is a sad day in the land of television everywhere. Of course they canned the show over the summer but I just found out today. I knew you would share my pain since it was our ritual to watch it together! Anywho- hope all is well! Talk to you later!
Amanda
This is so sad. I am tired of checking this site on a daily basis to see if a simple update has been posted. I am growing gray and bald just waiting. One would think that moving to England for a year that they would not be able to seperate themselves from the keyboard. Apparently that is not the case. Get off the couch, put the remote on the coffee table and just do something!
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