American English, British English

[britbornbanana]

When I started work I did a training course with many Americans and some of them found our British English confusing... such as

Blokes meaning guys...

Can you think of any others?

Jon

[Chester]

Everyone knows that "blokes" means guys. Well, they should anyway. Most common things like "lift" or "lorry" or "petrol" should be understood.

"Fags" causes confusion from time to time. "Fanny" is always grounds for titillation.

I also thought the Brit use of "pants" to be perplexing.

But, all in all, the thing we understand least about you is your fascination with that David Beckham guy.

[SunWuKong]

When I started work I did a training course with many Americans and some of them found our British English confusing... such as

Blokes meaning guys...

Can you think of any others?

Jon


lifts
the loo
rubbers

i have a Cockney friend in HK and he tried to explain some Cockney terms to me, but i forgot what they are now.

how about acronyms?
FILTH - Failed In London, Try Hongkong :p

[britbornbanana]

That's a new one...

there are so many - just not ones which i realise. It was only when my american friends looked at me strangely i know it was something different.

j

lifts
the loo
rubbers

i have a Cockney friend in HK and he tried to explain some Cockney terms to me, but i forgot what they are now.

how about acronyms?
FILTH - Failed In London, Try Hongkong :p

[futura]

That's a new one...

there are so many - just not ones which i realise. It was only when my american friends looked at me strangely i know it was something different.

j

Hey your not even Cockney.... Your a Manc

easy geezer... sorted my son :p

[nonamerasian]

I spoke almost like a Brit when younger, so I've grown an interest in some of the differences as I've been learning to get rid of the speech impediment. ;)

Public schools, suspenders, vests, bonnets, boots, and biscuits are different between countries.

Aren't elastics, as well?

There are quite a few, but I can't think right now.

[mercuria]

cookies = biscuits
biscuits = scones

that always confused me when i first came to the US. oh and chips = fries? o.0 in aus we just called em "hot chips". i can't think of any others right now that haven't already been mentioned. i've been in the US for awhile now though, so now the only things i still get confused is boot/bonnet. x:

[teaz0r]

crisps!

[jenjen]

rubbish bins!! i remember saying that once in another predominantly american forum and ppl were like huh? i don't know if that's british though.

oh, and jam = jelly. jelly = jello. :p.

since when did biscuits = scones?!?!

oh and ozzies have the word 'scrunchie' (sp?) meaning that big hair tie thing you put over ur hair elastic.

[nonamerasian]

rubbish bins!! i remember saying that once in another predominantly american forum and ppl were like huh? i don't know if that's british though.

oh, and jam = jelly. jelly = jello. :p.

since when did biscuits = scones?!?!

oh and ozzies have the word 'scrunchie' (sp?) meaning that big hair tie thing you put over ur hair elastic.

I say rubbish bin, but only to refer to the small waste basket in an office or classroom, though.

I know other people from the States who use the term as well, so I don't understand the misunderstanding.

I've heard both scrunchie and elastic used in the States. Most popular term I hear for it: Hair-thingy. My family calls them bands or scrunchies, mostly.

I've never heard a biscuit refer to a scone. A scone is a scone as far as I've ever known.

[YuheiCarreau]

The three that still stand out, a year later, are 'mate' (makes me feel like a pirate, arrrrr), 'telly' (that's just silly), and 'khakis' - pronounced car-keys (WTF?).

[Kennyb]

The three that still stand out, a year later, are 'mate' (makes me feel like a pirate, arrrrr), 'telly' (that's just silly), and 'khakis' - pronounced car-keys (WTF?).

How are you suppose to pronounce 'khakis' then???

Pavement - 'Side walk'
Vitamins - 'Vi-ta-mins'
Lager - 'Beer'
Booze - 'Alcohol'

Then again, our slangs and swear swords would really confuse the Americans. I remember saying you to a friend of mine 'tosser' and my Canadian friend went all baffled by that meaning.

Actually try watching Ali G and see if you could understand a word what he says. :p

[futura]

Actually try watching Ali G and see if you could understand a word what he says. :p

Ayeeeeeeeee for reaaaaaal

the worst one has go to be football and soccer... everyone knows that football is played with a round ball! Is it cos I is crap at 'football' dat we is calling it 'soccer' booyakasha :rolleyes: :)

[mercuria]

well to me, whenever i see what americans call "biscuits" they seem to look more like scones to me o.0 or little bread rolls. maybe i'm just even more mixed up, haha.

oh yeah, i just call scrunchies hair thingies/hair ties.

i forgot about rubbish bins too!

i miss syd T:

[YuheiCarreau]

How are you suppose to pronounce 'khakis' then???

The first step to pronouncing it correctly is to look closely, and come to the realization that there isn't an 'r' anywhere in the word.

[Ogumo]

I have never even heard the word bloke before...

[SunWuKong]

also...

pissed == drunk

however, Americans do say "pissed drunk". just not "pissed" by itself. that means you're angry.

[Kennyb]

I have never even heard the word bloke before...

How about 'lad'??

Actually, you may have not heard this other way of calling a girl - 'Bint'

[jimbo]

The first step to pronouncing it correctly is to look closely, and come to the realization that there isn't an 'r' anywhere in the word.


So its pronounced like cacky?


Yep a Bint is always a great one, Along with pikey.

[Kennyb]

So its pronounced like cacky?


Yep a Bint is always a great one, Along with pikey.

And Kevies....

[DragonKnight]

shag = bone

[YuheiCarreau]

So its pronounced like cacky?


Yep a Bint is always a great one, Along with pikey.

Well, sort of, except the 'a' sound is steched out a bit so that it's two syllables, and also since most Brits sound a little more nasal than Americans, our way of saying 'cacky' probably sounds a little softer than your way of saying it.

Also, isn't 'bint' kind of a rude thing to call a woman? Like 'cunt' (another Britishism I never got used to)?

[Kennyb]

Also, isn't 'bint' kind of a rude thing to call a woman? Like 'cunt' (another Britishism I never got used to)?

Not really. It is actually an army term for calling a girl. It is only an insult if you call a guy that really. :p That is also pretty much the same with 'cunt' - mostly use on guys really.

'Muppet' is another one...

[Ogumo]

How about 'lad'??

Actually, you may have not heard this other way of calling a girl - 'Bint'

Yes I am familiar with lad. But I have never heard blint before.

[mr. x]

http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/index.htm

http://www.effingpot.com/slang.html

or just type "british slang" on yahoo or somthing to that effect

ya bloody blokes