it’s the same, but different…

By jEN on April 7th, 2005

The aim on this page is to illustrate some of the delightfully silly differences I’ve encountered since becoming a UK dweller.

This page will highlight some of the colourful terms, phrases and usages of UK versus American language, as well as some of the adjustments I’m making in the way things are done here.

• Full of Beans: In the UK, it means: energetic, happy and jubilant. In the US, it is to be: full of crap, putting you on, you’ve got to be kidding…
• The dog’s bollocks: This is essentially the same as saying the cat’s pajamas which is typically understood as fantastic.
• Pants: It’s your underwear, not your outerwear (think trousers), and also an expletive for bad. i.e. That movie was pants.
• Pavement: That’s the sidewalk here.
• Minger: An ugly person. i.e. His blind date turned out to be a real minger.
• Crisps: Potato chips
• Loo: The toilet, which brings me to WC & Toilet: they don’t call it a Restroom here. Ask where the Water Closet or the Toilet is and they’ll point you in the right direction though.
• Twat: an idiot
• Cunt: seriously worse than a twat
• Wanker: worse than a cunt. To keep your teeth, don’t call anyone a wanker…
• Shattered: really tired. Can also be Knackered
• Snog: kiss
• Jelly: Jello
• Trolley: shopping cart
• Subway: underground pedestrian walkway- not a train of any sort. They typically go under busy roads instead of crossing traffic above ground
• Anti-Clockwise: counter-clockwise
• Plaster: a bandaid
• Acclimatised: Acclimated
• Clothes peg: Clothes pin
• Holiday: Vacation
• Snooze: Nap
• Nappy: diaper
• Fanny: female genitalia
• Grill: to broil
• Half-four / Half-five: 4:30 / 5:30. Which brings me to writing the time here– it’s done with a period (called a full-stop here) instead of a colon. i.e. 4.30 / 5.30 Also of note, most time is told here with a 24 hour/military clock.
• Lorry: Truck. Articulated Lorry is a semi truck.
• Punter: The general purchasing public, a customer.
• Garage: It’s the same place you store your car, but here it’s pronounced in a way that rhymes with carriage.
• Tea: It’s not just a drink, it’s also a term for an light evening meal.
• Skip: dumpster
• Rubber: eraser (not a condom)
• Jonnies: also a Rubber Jonny, a condom. Also a French Letter.
• PMT: Pre-Menstrual Tension (PMS [syndrome] in the US)
• Flannel: washcloth
• Braces: suspenders for your trousers
• Suspenders: garter belt (so watch what you imply, American fellas!)
• Jumper: sweater
• Vest: tank top to be worn beneath another shirt… likely the same as a ‘wife-beater’ in the US
• Knickers: panties. Kacks are men’s undies.
• Quid: one British Pound Sterling. Dosh a general term for money.
• Kerb: Curb, meaning the edge of the pavement. Curb is used to indicate “to cut back” on something.
• Agony Aunt: an advice columnist like Dear Abby.
• Drink driving: drunk driving
• Made redundant: to be laid off or let go from your job
• Concession: a discount, like for kids or seniors at the movies. (not a term for the snacks at the movies)
• Football: soccer
• Sweets or Sweeties: candy
• Spend a Penny: To need to use the WC or loo. “i.e.: I’ll be ready to leave after I spend a penny.”

smooches~
jEN

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