Brian Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 There are many different dialects of English. There is US English, UK English, Australian English, etc. What are some words and differences that you know?I speak US English and some of the things that are different for me are:In UK English they spell things differently, like color is colour.Some words that are different are:lorry- truckchips - friescrisps - chipspram (didn't know about this until Tim mentioned it) - baby carriageWhat are some words that are different that you know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aeros Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 lift(british) = jack(american)=steal, as in to take without paying (common word)let me bum a f-a-g () (british) = lemme have a smoke (american) = let me borrow a cigarette (common)chap/bloke (british) = gramps/granpa (american, ok so it's that diverse) = Old guy. Yes we call old people "gramps" sometimes in America, refering to a Grandpa/Grandfather.I'll think of more laterStu should be good at playing this By the way tim, you censored f-a-g?? Come on, it means smoke for crying out loud In Britain atleast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esus Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 let me bum a f-a-g () (british) = lemme have a smoke (american) = let me borrow a cigarette (common)chap/bloke (british) = gramps/granpa (american, ok so it's that diverse) = Old guy. Yes we call old people "gramps" sometimes in America, refering to a Grandpa/Grandfather.Um... not exactly right as far as I speak.Old people are merely old people, any adult is a chap or a bloke and it can apply to old people, but not solely.Never heard let me bum a f-a-g either... maybe its a London thing but cigarettes are definately called f-a-gslorry- truckDont americans say lorry? Anyway, English use both.Also:{UK - US}Lift - Elevatorautumn - fallbiscuit - cookieboot - trunkbonnet - hoodcot - cribcupboard - closetfirst floor - second floorground floor - first floorholiday - vacationtrousers - pantswaistcoat - vestsweets - candypavement - sidewalkpetrol - gashandbag - pursespellings:flavour - favorhumour - humorcenter - centrefibre - fibermetre - metertheatre - theaterdiarrhoea - diarrheafoetus - fetus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaevictis_Music Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 Another thing I've always wondered about - the pronounciation of the letter 'Z'. In America, it's 'zee'. But other people pronounce it 'zet' - would that be in the UK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esus Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 "zed" is how it's pronounced in the UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeZar Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 I dont know if this is right ... but: Dude (US) - Friend (UK) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esus Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 Another one:Dummy (UK) - Pacifier (US)Dude (US) - Friend (UK) I would've thought the UK one would've been "mate".. *shrugs* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curufinwe Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 In British English,pants = underwearIn American English, pants = trousers (jeans for instance)Americans should be careful when they go to England ..."Oh, I have a stain on my pants !" ... quite ambiguous ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Op Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 Let's put in phrases as well:UK English: Top of the morning!American English: Good morning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curufinwe Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 UK English: Top of the morning!I have never heard that in England Isn't that just an American prejudice ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Op Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 Hmm... maybe it is so, since you've been to England (probably) and I haven't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkT Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 I don't think 'top of the morning' is used here 'seriously' any more. Perhaps when someone is trying to play up to the British stereotype.I'll be back here later... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esus Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 I always use "Top of the Morning." It is to play on the stereotype (which i always seem to do) but it is still used! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElfTheHunter Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 OT: Esus, what is your avatar?Oh, how do you say soda/pop in Britain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esus Posted February 19, 2004 Share Posted February 19, 2004 soda/pop drinks are known as Fizzy drinks. For example, coke, sprite and pepsi are all fizzy drinks.My avatar is that of a steef. Name of Stranger, star of the next Oddworld game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svede Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 lift(british) = jack(american)=steal, as in to take without paying (common word)I actually hear "lift: used more often here in USA...also, we use a variant in "shoplift"....maybe its cuz im in shoplifting prevention (), so i hear "lifters" used quite often referring to shoplifters...anyways, some ive heard and needed to learn at my work (when we have UK people in the store):washroom (and something else) [uK] vs bathrooms/restrooms [uSA]andDustbin [uK] vs Trash/Garbage Can [uSA] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mythos_Ruler Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 Bugger! - Darn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted February 20, 2004 Author Share Posted February 20, 2004 I love it, it would be funny if i went to the UK and said, "I have a stain in my paints." That's great. Don't know why pants though. In Spanish, pants are known as los pantalones. Which is the same as pants. Interesting. I found this one:"all mouth and (no) trousers" It means something like don't bother to listen to him. Say that in the US and people will laugh. Not sure if you guys use it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aeros Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 Do they call Cell Phones "Handies"or was that in Germany.Dude (US) - Friend (UK) Dude is a slang word, not proper "american english", but Friend is used on both sides, it's a common and easy word.The British version of dude would be "mate" but that would be stretching it alot, and that applies to Australia more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chichigrande Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 Telli/Tube-England TV-America Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esus Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 "all mouth and (no) trousers"this means the person is all talk but won't do anything about what they've said. People who make empty threats.Telli/Tube-England TV-America Tube? Never heard of that. It's either TV or Tele or Television here...washroom (and something else) [uK] vs bathrooms/restrooms [uSA]Again, ive never heard washroom...Do they call Cell Phones "Handies"or was that in Germany....definately not here.Mobile Phones/Mobiles [uK] - Cell Phones [uS] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Knight Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 No offence but, to my ears (and I'm sure to other americans) british english sounds effemanate or womanly. I'm really not sure why but it does. Maybe because your "r"s are so soft. So how does american english sound to britsh ears?Just wanted to ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkT Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 No offence but, to my ears (and I'm sure to other americans) british english sounds effemanate or womanly. I'm really not sure why but it does. Maybe because your "r"s are so soft. So how does american english sound to britsh ears?Just wanted to ask. To me (depending on the person speaking, of course) American English sounds coarser; more simplistic and less subtle than (English) English. (Again, no offence ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esus Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 Personally (no offense) I can't stand hearing American English. It sounds really bad, wrong, and way to twee for my liking bnut thats just my opinion.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Knight Posted February 20, 2004 Share Posted February 20, 2004 What's twee? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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