Jan 10, 2011

It is often said that Britain and America are "two nations divided by a common language".
Todays blog post was inspired by my friend Elyse who wanted me to do some Anglo-American translations for her :o)
So I thought, hmmm, that's an interesting idea, let's run with it. So here you have it, a sampling of just a few of the differences between us.


British Words  ~ American Equivalent

SLANG (MISC.)

Football ~ Soccer

Queue ~ Waiting Line

Fortnight ~  Two Weeks

Kip/Doze ~  Nap

Postcode  ~ Zip Code

Snogging/Getting Off  ~ Kissing

Shagging  ~ Having Sex

Fags/Ciggies/Rollies  ~ Cigarettes

A4 Paper  ~ Legal Pad

Having A Row/Barney  ~ Argument

Knackered/Shagged ~  Tired

Cheeky  ~Flippant

Cheerio  ~ Goodbye

Cock Up/Bugger Up  ~ Mistake

Daft/Thick  ~ Stupid

Dear  ~ Expensive

Duff  ~ Useless

Fanny Around/Dither  ~ Procrastinate

Hash #  ~ (Pound Sign)

“Horses for Courses”  ~ “To each his own”

Nick/Lift  ~ Steal

Off Your Trolley/Barney  ~ Crazy

Pissed/Ratted/Wankered  ~ Drunk

“Sod/Bugger Off”  ~ “Get Lost”

Spend a Penny/Use the loo  ~ Go to the bathroom

Swot Up/Revise  ~ Study Hard

Taking the Piss/Mickey  ~ Making fun of someone

Waffle on/Ramble On  ~ Talk on and on

Throw a Wobbly  ~ Temper Tantrum

Cack-handed/A clot/Oaf  ~ Clumsy

Jammy beggar  ~ Lucky

Up the duff  ~ Pregnant

Doing Porridge  ~ Serving Prison Time

Big Dipper  ~ Roller Coaster

Casualty Department  ~ Emergency Room

Surgery/Clinic  ~ Doctor’s Office

Chemist  ~ Drug Store

Dosh  ~ Money

Hole in the Wall ~  ATM

Johnny  ~ Condom

AROUND THE HOUSE

Loo/Toilet/Bog  ~ Bathroom/Restroom

Dust bin/Rubbish bin  ~ Trash Can

Cooker  ~ Oven

White Goods  ~ Electrical Appliances

Back Garden  ~ Back Yard

Living Room/Sitting Room  ~ Lounge

Loft  ~ Attic

Flat ~  Apartment

Flat Mate  ~ Roommate

Bedsit/Box Flat  ~ Efficiency Apartment

Lift  ~ Elevator

Flannel  ~ Washcloth

Torch  ~ Flashlight

Serviette  ~ Napkin

Blower  ~ Telephone

Plug Socket  ~ Electric Socket

Mobile  ~ Cell Phone

Pram  ~ Stroller

FOOD & DRINK

Chips  ~ French Fries

Crisps  ~ Chips

Sweets  ~ Candy

Biscuit  ~ Cookie

Take-Away  ~ Carry Out

Fillet Steak  ~ Filet Mignon

Tomato Sauce  ~ Ketchup

Banger/Chippolata  ~ Sausage

Beer Mat ~ Coaster
Bevvy/Grog  ~ Beer/Beverage

Gherkin  ~ Pickle

Nosh/Grub  ~ Food

Pancake Roll  ~ Egg Roll

Soldiers ~ Toast (Bread)

Stone  ~ Fruit Pit

White, with  ~ (Coffee) Cream and sugar

White, without  ~ (Coffee) Cream only

Local  ~ Your favorite Pub/Closest

PEOPLE

Mate ~ Friend/Buddy

Ginger Head ~ Red Head

Bobby/Copper/The Fuzz ~ Policeman

Bloke ~ Guy

Barrister/Solicitor~  Lawyer

Big Girl’s Blouse/Wuss ~ Wimp/Pathetic Person

Lollipop Man/Lady ~ Crossing Guard

Yank ~ American

Slapper ~ Major Flirt

Spotty Youths ~ Teenagers

Sprog ~ Baby

Tart ~ Person of loose morals

Weed/Boffin ~ Nerd

Wanker/Git ~ Jerk

Cake Hole/Gob ~ Mouth

Bollocks ~ Testicles

Arse/Bum ~ Butt/Backside

Mug ~ Gullible Person

CLOTHING

Trainers ~ Gym Shoes

Vest ~ Undershirt

Waist Coat ~ Vest

Trousers ~ Pants

Pants ~ Men’s Underwear

Knickers ~ Women’s Underwear

Jumper ~ Sweater

Nappy ~ Diaper

Balaclava ~ Ski Mask

Cardie ~ Cardigan Sweater

MOTORING

Pavement ~ Sidewalk

Motorway ~ Highway/Interstate

Dual Carriageway ~ Divided Highway

Bonnet ~ Hood

Boot ~ Trunk (Car)

Petrol ~ Gas

Garage ~ Gas Station/Conv. Store

Lorry ~ Truck

Car Park ~ Parking Lot

Cattle/Economy Class ~ Coach Class

Hooter ~ Car Horn

Tube/Underground ~ Subway

Verge ~ Grassy edge of a road