Language differences

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brianlojeck

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but a thong in america and Uk, is called G string in australia
and In australia a thong is those summer shoes.
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in the US "thong" means both butt-crack underwear, and the shoes, which we also call "flip-flops". We use the term "g-string" only for the very tiniest of underwear, such as what you might find on a stripper.

-In Australia, to "root" means to have physical relations
-Lol! stephanie i was nearly appalled too when i saw root!!
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"root" and "rout" are funny in the US in that they started as different words, but now both mean the same thing: either to dig with your nose (think pigs), or cheer for a team. "root" also, of course, has botanical meanings.

truly dirty physical sex, we might refer to as "rutting", but few people use that phrase any longer...

ALso "damn" is a very bad word in america
where as in australia its very natural and it means "oh crap!"
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don't let the "moral majority" fool you. To 90% of americans "damn", "f**k", "s**t", "b***h", and most any other swear word are all very natural, and all at one time or another are used to mean "oh crap!"

In fact, on american TV, when someone says "God Damn it!", they bleep out the word "god", but leave the word damn. I'm not religious, but this still seems really stupid to me...
 
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joanne511

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I just wanted to mention that in the US, the word "soda" isn't used universally. It's a regional thing - some areas tend to call it "soda", some "pop", some "soda pop", some "coke" (no matter what the brand!), etc.
 
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joanne511

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A few others that come to mind:

To go on...vacation/holiday
The stuff you use to secure something to paper...glue/gum
To use the loo/toilet/bathroom (etc)

This thread is making me laugh.
 
jennyr

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Scotch tape (US)= cellotape (UK) = durex (AUS)
Durex (UK) = rubber (US) = (?) AUS = condom (universal)

God help you if you get that one wrong!
 
malakai711

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My friends always make fun of me because I call a fire hydrant, a Johnny Pump.. I think it's a Bronx thing...
 
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fwan

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Liza from the bronx!
i think i will have to call my child Jenny
im getting obsessed with the name lol!
 
jcat

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How about the difference between "I feel sick", and "I feel ill"? I remember telling a colleague from Liverpool "I think I'm getting sick", and his reaction was to fetch a wastepaper basket, as he was afraid I would upchuck, while I meant to convey that I'd gotten a rather nasty cold. He would call me to discuss tests, exams, lesson plans, etc., and when I asked him, "What's up?", he'd reply, "Nothing's wrong!" Discuss the difference between "dumb" and "stupid", or "half five" and "five-thirty"! Well, we're more or less speaking the same language! My absolute favorite was when two English friends were visiting me one afternoon, and my husband was getting ready to go shopping. He asked if they wanted him to pick anything up for them, and the answer from one friend was, "I could use some rubbers." She was rather shocked when he presented her with a pack of condoms, rather than erasers!
 
consumerkitty

consumerkitty

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These are a few I noticed when I was in London in 1987.

US-exit
Britain-way out

US-for rent
Britain-to let

US-apartment
Britain-flat

US-restroom
Britain- WC (water closet)
 
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oz'smum

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Another I thought of today in the bank. Americans "stand in line" we Brits Queue.

(Is it obsessive to be thinking about the chat board while I'm shopping?
)
 
katspixiedust

katspixiedust

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Originally Posted by Oz'sMum

Another I thought of today in the bank. Americans "stand in line" we Brits Queue.

(Is it obsessive to be thinking about the chat board while I'm shopping?
)
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Of course not!!! I mention it all of the time to my boyfriend no matter where we are. He usually shakes his head at me. But hey, he has about 5 chat sites he goes onto so he surely isn't one to talk!!!
 
kittylover4ever

kittylover4ever

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Susan taught me some of these......

Throw a wobbly is to be upset or angry.


Daft means silly

To "knock someone up" is to wake them up!


Brilliant means wonderful

Brass monkey weather means its very cold!

Am I right Susan???
 
rosiemac

rosiemac

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Originally Posted by kittylover4ever

Susan taught me some of these......

Throw a wobbly is to be upset or angry.


Daft means silly

To "knock someone up" is to wake them up!


Brilliant means wonderful

Brass monkey weather means its very cold!

Am I right Susan???
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Your right!
, but To knock someone up can also mean pregnant.

Susie you forgot your best one that someone taught you?

(US)Girl (UK)Lass
 
wellingtoncats

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US (Flip-Flops) but here in (NZ) we call them Jandals!

Instead of "Hey Guys" Or "What's up" in NZ we say "Hey Bro"


"Swimming Costume" is called "Togs" here in NZ!

"To knock someone up" is the same as "Up the duff" which is to get pregnant

Don't get "Rootin" (Cheering on someones team) mixed up.... although we use roo for both.

I'll probably think of some more!
 
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sweets

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Instead of "Hey Guys" Or "What's up" in NZ we say "Hey Bro"

"Swimming Costume" is called "Togs" here in NZ!
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In some areas of the US, if you were to say "Hey Bro", you would be jumped unless you were of African American descent. Its considered an insult.

A "swimming costume" is called a swim suit on the east coast.


I had a friend who grew up in Great Britain. She used to ask me to "reach her home" all the time. She wanted me to drive her home.
 
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