Lost in Translation--US vs UK English words

[ForresterModern]

This started in another thread elsewhere but I thought it would be fun to make its own thread and see how far we can go with it, and just what interesting things come up. The idea is to list a word in the English language used either in the UK or US that has an entirely different word meaning approximately the same thing in the other place. Got it? here are the first ones from the other thread to get us started:

American English =England English (from me)
Vest = waistcoat
truck = lorrie
elevator = lift
french fries = chips


From Joseph MacLaren

UK..........................US
scones..............biscuits
biscuits.............cookies
pants.................shorts
shorts..........short pants
trousers...............pants
braces.........suspenders
suspenders........garters


From Zardoz

US=UK
antenna = aerial
drive shaft = propeller shaft
fender = wing
hood = bonnet
trunk = boot
odometer = clock


What interesting ones can you contribute?

jeff

[Joseph McLaren]

UK.......................................US

state school.............public school
public school..........private school
private school........also a private school!

[Jock Scot]

UK. Hunting=with pack of hounds,the followers usually mounted(not always)on a horse.
US. Hunting= with a firearm ,or bow, in pursuit of game ,or wildfowl.


UK. Dress shirt= Worn with formal evening attire.
US. Dress shirt= Worn with business type attire.

[KFCarter]

UK.......................................US

state school.............public school
public school..........private school
private school........also a private school!

yikes, now I better understand Shaw's, "two countries separated by a common language..."

[sydnie7]

Zardoz just scratched the surface of automotive terms. . . here are two more that spring to mind.

UK...........................US
Spanner.................wrench
Earth......................ground

Then there's one that always gets US in trouble

Napkin..................diaper, also feminine protection product
Serviette..............table napkin

[MacBean]

Many spelling differences (z vs s, re vs er) as in theorise or theorize and theater or theatre, tire vs tyre. Lots of pronounciation differences (strawberry vs strawbry, lieutenant vs leftenant, aluminum vs aluminium). Many words in common usage in one but rare or absent in the other (custom made vs bespoke, ---- vs elevenses, homerun vs hit for six, etc.) fruit salad vs. fruit cocktail. There are really quite a lot of differences, and that's just the start. The differences in social attitudes, conformance, courtesy are great. I think the US is closer to their central and south american neighbors in that regard than they are to the UK.

[Joseph McLaren]

One of the oddities of English speech which I don't think is as common in America is the capacity for emphasis through understatement. For instance, the word 'quite' can mean both 'a little bit' as well 'totally'. 'He was quite drunk' can mean two different things depending on tone.

[Jock Scot]

One of the oddities of English speech which I don't think is as common in America is the capacity for emphasis through understatement. For instance, the word 'quite' can mean both 'a little bit' as well 'totally'. 'He was quite drunk' can mean two different things depending on tone.

On the understatement theme.

UK. A bit of on accident.
The rest of the world. The Titanic hit an iceberg.

UK.A spot of bother.
The rest of the world. The whole Zulu nation has taken up arms.

UK.I am not feeling too well.
The rest of the world. I am dying and in a lot of pain.

UK. Things are a bit tricky.
The rest of the world. My parachute has failed to open and I have 500ft to go.

UK. I am not too good at this.
The rest of the world. I am the world champion.

UK.I should'nt worry old chap.
The rest of the world. The world is about to end.

UK. It hurts a bit.
The rest of the world.I have just lost my leg in a shark attack.

[pdcorlis]

Here's a few...

UK = US

Aerial = Antenna
Car Park = Parking Lot
Cat Eyes = Reflectors
Flyover = Overpass
Indicators = Turn Signals
Petrol = Gas
Tarmac = Asphalt
Aubergine = Eggplant

Biscuit = Cookie
Jam = Jelly
Jelly = Jello
Rocket = Arugula

Torch = Flashlight
Hoover = Vacuum
Queue = Line
Mobile (phone) = Cell (Phone)
Toilet = Restroom
Trainers = Sneakers
Jumper = Sweater

[English Bloke]

On the understatement theme.

UK. A bit of on accident.
The rest of the world. The Titanic hit an iceberg.

UK.A spot of bother.
The rest of the world. The whole Zulu nation has taken up arms.

UK.I am not feeling too well.
The rest of the world. I am dying and in a lot of pain.

UK. Things are a bit tricky.
The rest of the world. My parachute has failed to open and I have 500ft to go.

UK. I am not too good at this.
The rest of the world. I am the world champion.

UK.I should'nt worry old chap.
The rest of the world. The world is about to end.

UK. It hurts a bit.
The rest of the world.I have just lost my leg in a shark attack.

Absolutely the best laugh of the day Jock!!