Language differences

jcat · Mar 4, 2005

There are a lot of regional differences in the U.S., as some people have pointed out. I'm from back East, but my nieces and nephews have grown up in the Midwest, and they think it's hysterical when my sister and I call "pop" "soda", or a "sucker" a "taffy". To me, a "sucker" is somebody who's gullible.

brianlojeck · Mar 4, 2005

>Brass monkey weather means its very cold!

wow... that's bizarre! Here in the US a Brass Monkey is an addiction. Someone trying to overcome alcoholism could be said to be "trying to get the Brass Monkey off his back"

sashacat421 · Mar 4, 2005

Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

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

Well sheesh! - I've got to learn to keep all this proper, because what if she trimmed her fringe and then got up the duff??? Who could possibly keep that straight??

cheeseface · Mar 4, 2005

"up the duff"?

cazx01 · Mar 4, 2005

also, in the uk, we say sweets or chocolate.. US candy

katl8e · Mar 4, 2005

US: garters UK: suspenders (as in a garter belt)

US: suspenders UK: braces (to hold up one's trousers)

gemlady · Mar 4, 2005

Rubbers also refer to waterproof boots in the US. Usually among older folks.

I loved "Are You Being Served" and remember what we in the US call pantyhose, UK called tights.

cazx01 · Mar 4, 2005

also, not so much as a language difference, more how you spell and pronounce it
UK- mum US- mom

wellingtoncats · Mar 4, 2005

Originally Posted by sashacat421

Well sheesh! - I've got to learn to keep all this proper, because what if she trimmed her fringe and then got up the duff??? Who could possibly keep that straight??

I don't get what you mean Eddie?!

Here in NZ we say Mum as well.

katson7 · Mar 4, 2005

Great thread! We all speak English, but just look at all the differences!

Another one I thought of is:
U.S- purse = Aus- bag/handbag
U.S- wallet = Aus- purse for women.... wallet is for men.

katson7 · Mar 4, 2005

Originally Posted by jennyranson

Scotch tape (US)= cellotape (UK) = durex (AUS)

We also say - sticky tape - AUS

brianlojeck · Mar 4, 2005

Originally Posted by katson7

Great thread! We all speak English, but just look at all the differences!

Another one I thought of is:
U.S- purse = Aus- bag/handbag
U.S- wallet = Aus- purse for women.... wallet is for men.

unless I'm reading this wrong, I think your US side is a bit off.

in the states, a wallet can be carried by either men or women, and is the folded piece of leather that holds credit cards, money, id.

Men tend to carry their wallet in their pocket, while women carry it in their purse (handbag).

Like Katson, I'm amazed at the differences. I've always been fascinated by the way words change as they travel, so I'm in nerdy heaven right now... ;-)

sashacat421 · Mar 4, 2005

Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

I don't get what you mean Eddie?!

Here in NZ we say Mum as well.

Never you mind, Miss Sam!

dinahcat · Mar 4, 2005

On the mainland, flip-flops are called either flip-flops or thongs.. but in Hawaii.. they are called Slippers.. or Slippahs.

loubelia · Mar 4, 2005

In parts of America, some people still call Coca Cola 'pop' and other parts of America, it's called 'soda'
I noticed where I grew up in Washington State, people say 'shopping cart' at grocery stores and 'buggy' in Florida. I have heard people from Australia/down under say 'trolley' for the same thing. And my brother in law from Belgium commented that people in America say 'couple' meaning two, but in their country when they hear that word, they think it means 'at least 3 or more people or aka a few.'

kathryn41 · Mar 4, 2005

In Canada we sit on chesterfields - in the US it is the couch or sofa
and outside we sit on the chaise lounge - here it is the lawn chair;
In Ontario I got license plates for the car - in Georgia I got 'tag's;

Pissed means being annoyed or angry in Canada, but here it means 'drunk' ;

I am sure I will think of some others:-)

Kathryn

talon · Mar 4, 2005

Purse/handbag also can be called "pocket book"

wellingtoncats · Mar 4, 2005

We call them Trolleys here in NZ too!

ttmom · Mar 4, 2005

You know there's regional differences just in the US. Like in Wyoming there's a dividing line between the people who say creek and the people who say crick. And then in Houston I saw a sign for road humps, elsewhere they're called speed bumps.

mom of franz · Mar 4, 2005

Originally Posted by rosiemac

Ari i've been to the states a few times and the sausages i always saw were small thin ones, do you not do the big fat ones like we do?

Susan, we have fat ones too, but the real fat ones are called by the German word, Knockwurst.

Language differences

Mo(w)gli's can opener

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member