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English vs. American terms....

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HAnn521 | 17:00 Thu 30th Jun 2005 | Phrases & Sayings
36 Answers

Since I have joined the crew here at AB, I have noticed some of the funniest differences in wording!...

Examples:

Brit-queue / America- line

Brit- fag / America- cigarette ("fag" in America is a hateful term for a homosexual, or "gay" person)

Brit- pub / America- bar

Brit- chips / America- fries ("chips" here would only be potato chips such as Lays brand or corn chips such as Fritos or Tostitos brand)

I find this amusing, can anyone give me more?!

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"Sorcerer" is American for "Philosopher", I believe. Click here for more.
Not forgetting "fanny", of course:
AE: back bottom.
BE: front bottom.

 usa--sidewalk   u.k--path,  usa--frocet  u.k--tap,        

u.k--trousers   usa--pants    

I understand this is why Hollywood insists its superheroes wear both sets of pants in a visible manner � it�s so that it appeals to audiences on both sides of the pond.

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UK and Ireland   Nappies             US  Diapers

     ..                 Bonnet of Car       ..   Hood of Car

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All: Great! Now isn't this fun?, keep em comin...

gingerflaps: Americans say "faucet" (correct spelling), but that is a good one...we don't say "tap".

andy hughes: I'm not quite sure what you're saying about Jello and jelly...to Americans these two are totally different..."jelly" you got right (a seedless jam, usually fruit), BUT "Jell-O" is actually still a trademark name for the gellatin dessert that comes in fun colors and wiggles around...

and Peri: what about the "boot" of the car in UK and the "truck" in America...?

2shortplanks: Your's is new to me, made me laugh..thanks!

Question Author
OOPS...the previous to Peri should say "trunk"...spelled it wrong...
You say tomato
we say tomato - hey, let's call the whole thing off. Two nations divided by the same language. Long may it reign (or do you say rain)?

UK mews, US alleys

My American English teacher told me: An Englishman who's mad about his flat loves his apartment, an American is annoyed that he's got a punctured tyre. (=tire)

UK - lift

America - elevator

UK - curtains        USA - drapes

UK - lift                USA - elevator

UK - pavement

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