Aidan and I were making this list for his cousin, so I decided to share it here too (this is the G-rated version)
Lingo–American vs. English
- cookies = biscuits
- biscuits = scones
- french fries = chips
- chips = crisps
- diaper = nappy
- nap = lie-in
- ‘guy’ = bloke
- ‘gal’ = bird
- baby = bub
- elevator = lift
- car trunk = boot
- car hood = bonnet
- police = bobby
- vacation = holiday
- dessert = pudding
- candy = sweetie
- jeans = trousers
- tennis shoes = trainers
- buck $$ = quid £
- lunch = dinner
- dinner = tea
- snacktime = elevenses
- breakfast = fry up…see below
- truck = lorry
- exit = way out
- garbage = rubbish
- drunk = pissed
- soccer = football (duh)
- stroller = pushchair or pram
- sweetheart = poppet (India HATES this one)
- brat = cheeky monkey (I have met too many of those)
- pacifier = dummy (hmmm I know a few of those too)
- "how are you?" = "ye al’righ?"
- "have a good day" = "mind how you go"
And I am sure there are many many more!
Here are a few essential things you should know if you come visit England.
- you MUST look to your right before crossing a street, you must also look behind you
- under no circumstances whatsoever does a pedestrian have the ‘right of way’
- you will gain 10 pounds in the first 2 days….from all the £1 and £2 coins in your pocket
- you greet with one kiss to both cheeks (Boston was one, the Dutch and French kiss 3x)
- expect alot of stares, blank looks and comments about YOUR accent
- if you are female you should raise your voice by 2 octaves, but lower the volume
- you won’t be asked if you are from America, they will guess Canada first
- if you reveal you are from America they will ask you if you know their cousin Simon in Florida, then they will ask you if Texas is in Florida
- driving a cab is a good job here and they all speak English–see list above
- they tell you that you can see the Eiffel Tower from the top of The London Eye on a sunny day and if there is ever a sunny day, you should let me know if it is true or not.
- English Breakfast consists of fried eggs, fried bacon, 1/2 fried tomato, 2 fried mushrooms, fried potatoes, toast, baked beans and tea. That’s all. No pancakes, no waffles, no french toast…sigh
Cheers mate!
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