Lost in Translation--US vs UK English words

[cessna152towser]

'Solicitors' in this area, on the other hand, are door-to-door salespeople offering a variety of goods and/or services. "No soliciting" is a commonly posted sign in areas where these kinds of salespeople are not wanted.

Yes indeed I was rather bemused to see a "No Soliciting" sign at the entance to a Court House in the USA. Here in Scotland solicitors (lawyers or attorneys) go to court for the express purpose of soliciting their client's case to the judge.

[Ozman1944]

UK US
Footpath Sidewalk
Bitumen Asphalt
Pissed Drunk
Pictures Movies
Aluminium Aluminum
Dessert spoon Tablespoon. (In UK two Dessertspoons = I tablespoon.
Spectacles Glasses
Tumbler 8.oz drinking glass
Beaker Mug
Motorway Freeway

[sydnie7]

Zebra crossing = crosswalk
Traffic calming = nothing that would ever work in the USA LOL
Roundabout = traffic circle (we do have a very few of these)
chemist = drugstore

[NewGuise]

UK=US
fag=cigarette

The last time I had a friend say "I need a fag," looking toward the exit of the (non-smoking) building, I simply said, "I'm right here."

[The Kilted Reverend]

The one I have not heard mentioned, that relay stck out while I was there....

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

Gassed(water) Soda(water)

Stilled (water) Bottled (water)


Slainte,
Rev.

[Paul]

The big thing for me whilst shopping in Orlando was when I asked for a medium. I pronounce it "mee-jum" in a broad Glaswegian accent. You guys say "mee-dee-um" - probably as it is supposed to be pronounced and it became my "new word" for the whole 2 weeks!

One addition to Alex's:
city centre = downtown
Most people on the East of Scotland call the city centre "uptown". Imagine a conversation between an Edinburger and a New Yorker about city planning!

[Paul]

The last time I had a friend say "I need a fag," looking toward the exit of the (non-smoking) building, I simply said, "I'm right here."

I was watching a show in Orlando with my aunt whos lived there for a while. I was complaining about her "smoking too many fags". The people around were not too impressed and it took several minutes for it to click in my head why... it's amazing how things can mean completely different things in different countries!

[Fougasse]

Then there's one that always gets US in trouble

Napkin..................diaper, also feminine protection product
Serviette..............table napkin[/QUOTE]

Not quite:

Nappy (UK) = Diaper (US). In UK, both napkin and serviette are used for table napkin; which you use tends to (or used to) mark what class you belong to. It's not as obvious as you might think.

Having only lived in the States for just over a year I am still regularly getting caught out. I have only just managed to stop giving the time as "half past six" rather than "six thirty".

[Doftya]

I remember sitting with a group of people discussing this very topic, all of us from North America, except for one English woman. Knowing the response she would get, proudly and loudly declared to the group: "I love faggots, oh how I love faggots! Faggots and mushy peas, oh yes, and gravy too! I love my faggots with gravy!"

We couldn't stop laughing for 20 min. at least.

[thescot]

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.

That was really good.

One other little difference:

Marines: trousers
Sailors and women: pants.