Two Countries divided by a common language

Spotted Dick is a bit different here, too

 

Yes but...The reason I travel is to experience different things, if I wanted everything to be just like it was at home, I would stay home.

Fortunately British and USian are largely mutually intelligible, except for Geordie and a few other dialects.

My favorite toast when UKians are in the group.

"Here's to the US where 200 years is a long time and to the UK where 200 miles is a long distance."

 

It does if you spell travelling and travelled correctly.

All those 'extra Us' are *supposed* to be there. It's the US spelling that's introduced the change. And what's up with mispronouncing 'zed' so it rhymes?

 

a) A pudding made with currants or raisins.

b) Oh look, there's Richard!

c) A reason to see your doctor ASAP.

 

Two terms which can cause confusion if you're not aware of multiple meanings:

torch - I was somewhat shocked by a repair manual suggesting examining brake linings by using a torch through an examination hole. Then I realized (realised?) it was a British manual.

paraffin - there was a bicycle group discussing the best way to clean a chain, and some folks suggested paraffin, which led to lots of Americans dipping their chains in melted wax (not a great solvent) as opposed to what was originally meant (kerosene),

 

"Rubber" comes to mind.

As a point of clarification, "stick shift" refers normally to only a floor mounted shifter. Shifters in general are called "shifters" or "shift levers".

Tom

 

Until the British had to give in, a billion caused confusion. Till then I kept wondering where that extra thousand came from.

 

Should I point out our slang for a cigarette?

"I'm just popping outside for a fag as I'm gagging for one". Causes many raised eyebrows in the US and even Canada - so I'm told.

 

Um .... once I went to the doctor and took all the antibiotics, that cleared right up

 

What is it with Winnepegians? That ex BF I had there confessed he'd had a similar round of treatment...

ewwwwwwwwww

 

We call them tires but you call them tyres.

 

It's all becoming a moot point anyway, with so flipping many of our youth today not being able to spell, speak or write in either variation of English...

Though, I do find it amusing in the youtube video's where Americans (USA) are asked about what language they speak - Universally it's a "you're kidding right" response of: American of course???

Ask any 15year old kid these days what a Noun, Adverb, Verb, Adjective or ProNoun is.... 90% will not have a clue... its a very sad state our education is in (all over, not just Australia or America. lol)

 

+1. the teachers can't even speak english anymore.

 

Now that is funny.

 

Hmmmmmm

Perhaps something in the water. I just KNEW that Shoal Lake had something funny going on

 

Actually, they do make chain wax for bicycle chains. I have some and it works great for lubricating the chain without attracting as much dirt as oil does. For best results, you need to clean the chain first before using the wax.

You can now get it in a squeeze bottle, but I have an "old school" metal can that you put on a hot plate and then dip the chain into it, pull it out and let it dry.

 

I'd heard that in the UK, one shouldn't compliment a woman on her pants, in the front of others.

Good (?) sources of glossaries of American vs. British English can probably be found by Googling for Britspeak. At first glance, BritSpeak and The Best of British - The American's guide to speaking British... look decent.

When I went to the UK, I was reminded of some of the differences that I encountered when I went to Australia, long ago. We don't have signs that say "way in" or "way out". We don't have "mind the gap" announcements. We don't have lifts and we use restrooms or bathrooms, not toilets. We line up, not queue up. I've never seen signs using the word pram or perambulator in the US. (Fortunately, I'd heard of these words years ago.)

I was semi-amused that the Tube line I was on ended at Cockfosters. The names of the lines like Jubilee and Piccadilly were a bit odd to me too as were some station names like King's Cross. King? In the US?

I heard announcements of ____ line having "good service" and saw signs mentioning that too. I've never heard of that in the US. Here, it'd be something along the lines of operating normally or there are no delays.

 

Well I could lower the tone a little here but in the US a fanny is your rear end or behind, whereas in the UK it has the same meaning as pussy. Causes many a chuckle when watching US films and tv programmes.

Regarding the "good service" I'm wondering if you misheard them mentioning a "goods service"? as I've never heard of the former being announced. A goods service is a goods train or freight service.