What words and phrases do Brits and others see as 'American'?

by sonnyboy 114 Replies latest jw friends

  • sonnyboy
    sonnyboy

    As an American, I see words such as cheerio, blimey, bloody (when referring to something negative), loo, bugger, fag (cigarette), etc. as chiefly British (I suppose they are).

    What words and/or phrases do you consider to be chiefly American? I'm honestly unaware of which words I use that may not be used in other English-speaking countries. What other things in U.S. culture do you consider to be chiefly 'American'?

  • the_classicist
    the_classicist

    "Soda," in Canada we call it pop.

    "Ginger Ale," in the UK they call it Ginger Beer.

    Football/Soccer, sure you know this one.

  • MidwichCuckoo
    MidwichCuckoo
    "Ginger Ale," in the UK they call it Ginger Beer.



    Lol - no, they are 2 different drinks here.

    Fries - chips

    Chips - crisps

    Candy? Is that all types of confectionery?

    Trunk - boot

    Hood - bonnet

    Elevator - lift

    Apartment - flat

    Sidewalk - pavement

  • the_classicist
    the_classicist
    Lol - no, they are 2 different drinks here.

    Damn you Charles Dickens. *shakes fist*

    I plead ignorance, I got that from reading Great Expectations.

  • FMZ
    FMZ

    Fanny... erm... American - butt, English - lady's genitalia.

    Careful of this one, when my wife-to-be came over to England we were going to visit Albert Docks, and when discussing our plans with my folks, Tammy said "I really should get a fanny-pack to put my stuff in". The room fell silent. We soon found out that the American "fanny-pack" is what we commonly knew in England as a "bum-bag".

    KJ

  • MidwichCuckoo
    MidwichCuckoo

    the_classisist - really? Gosh - that's one of my favourite books......gimme a clue?

  • Preston
    Preston

    As for certain American phrases.....which I think we should retire ASAP is....(takes deep breath)...... "Git R' Done". Please refrain from using ...it makes us appear foolish to our English cousins.... must not let that happen.

    - Preston

  • the_classicist
    the_classicist

    the_classisist - really? Gosh - that's one of my favourite books......gimme a clue?
    I believe Pip was drinking Ginger Beer, I don't remember where, but that's where I got it from (OR Hard Times, by Charles Dickens, I could've mixed them up, but I'm pretty sure it was GE).

  • MidwichCuckoo
    MidwichCuckoo

    Thanks, the_classisist - got this from Dickens Glossary (and it was Great Expectaions, I found the quote!) :- ginger-beer - non-alcoholic beverage flavored with ginger. This is fast turning into a ginger beer / ale thread, with a splattering of Dickens.

    ''Just nipping outside to roll a fag'' I imagine conjures a whole series of images somewhat different to those originally intended.

    Yard - is that a WHOLE back garden?

  • FMZ
    FMZ

    Midwich, that's not quite as bad as a Manc asking "Hey mate, can I bum a fag?"

    KJ

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit