Lost in Translation--US vs UK English words

**English Bloke** · 27th November 09, 04:18 AM

I lived in Germany off and on for 12 years and found German drivers to be more aggressive than British drivers generally, though much more considerate when driving on congested motorways (freeways in American English) France on the other hand? ... different kettle of fish. Never attempt to drive through Paris in the rush hour. The rules of the road seem to go out the window and it's definately not a great place for a British Bloke to keep a level temper...

**ForresterModern** · 27th November 09, 06:11 AM

Back to the original theme:

US= Umbrella UK=Bumbershoot

**English Bloke** · 27th November 09, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by ForresterModern

Back to the original theme:

US= Umbrella UK=Bumbershoot

Sorry FM, was I digressing again? My apololgies...

Bumbershoot? Never heard of it. If that is British-English, it's not in common use. An umbrella is usually known as a "Brolly" round these here UK parts.

**Inchessi** · 27th November 09, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by cessna152towser

UK = US

seaplane = floatplane

I and my associates have all ways referred to "Seaplanes" as Ducks.

**YoungMan** · 27th November 09, 06:23 AM

WC = restroom
underground = subway

Most of the others I can think off have been covered, although in my family we've always called rain boots "Wellies".

**MacBubba45** · 27th November 09, 07:02 AM

Watching Gordon Ramsay I take it tomato paste in the UK is tomato sauce in the US. I have no idea what you call our tomato paste (which is quite a bit thicker) in the UK.

Also, would someone like to tackle First floor, Second floor, Ground floor, ect.?

**ForresterModern** · 27th November 09, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by English Bloke

Sorry FM, was I digressing again? My apololgies...

Bumbershoot? Never heard of it. If that is British-English, it's not in common use. An umbrella is usually known as a "Brolly" round these here UK parts.

bumbershoot
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Etymology
Apparently a variation on UMBrella + paraCHUTE; primarily British usage.

I was just out at a restaurant last night and heard a woman with a distinctly British accent use the term in regards her umbrella as she got up to leave and it was raining.

**Phil** · 27th November 09, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by MacBubba45

Watching Gordon Ramsay I take it tomato paste in the UK is tomato sauce in the US. I have no idea what you call our tomato paste (which is quite a bit thicker) in the UK.

Also, would someone like to tackle First floor, Second floor, Ground floor, ect.?

Tomato paste in the UK is tomato puree. Tomato sauce in the UK is tomato ketchup in the US.
Uk ground floor is the floor you enter at ground level. next floor up is the first floor and so on.