English speaking countries still use some different words, tell us ?

[oakapple]

As we are all from English speaking countries on here, I thought it would be a good idea if we told each other some words that we use that are different [for the same objects.]
For instance, I had to ask what collards were recently [what we call spring greens in England.]
So to kick off, here in England we call bread rolls...... bread rolls, or baps, or plain teacakes. I know that in the US [or only parts of the US?] you call them biscuits?

 

[hollydolly]

I thought Biscuits in the US were what we call scones?



In the US , what we call Biscuits they call cookies...

 

[oakapple]

LOL somebody will be along in a minute who knows the answer!

 

[oakapple]

Also we say sweets not candy

 

[hollydolly]

Here is a long list of British Versus American vocabulary...bear in mind also lots have different spellings as well as having different meanings.



http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/words/be-ae.htm

 

[Pappy]

We call the back of a car the truck. I believe some call it the boot.
Ive heard English folks say, "I'll knock you up."
In America, a woman would probably slap your face.

 

[hollydolly]

Also we say sweets not candy

...and pants are underwear and not what we call trousers...

 

[hollydolly]

We call the back of a car the truck. I believe some call it the boot.
Ive heard English folks say, "I'll knock you up."
In America, a woman would probably slap your face.

Pappy if an English person said ''I'll knock you up'' it would mean they were trying to get someone pregnant...I have never heard an English person say that to anyone..

 

[oakapple]

Pappy! That's very true. Knocked up means another thing entirely in the US.here it means someone knocking on the door very loudly at an ungodly hour. here, having a 'fag' means a cigarette[]

 

[oakapple]

HollyDolly! I have never heard that expression used in the US way here.Maybe I need to get out more.

 

[oakapple]

Yes, here we call it the boot of the car, but it seems to be trunk elsewhere.

 

[oakapple]

A small alleyway to me is a snicket [a Yorkshire word] in Lancashire it's a ginnel.What does a narrow shortcut/alley mean to you, are there differing words for it in US/Canada/Australia?

 

[Sunny]

Hollydolly, thanks for the list. As an American leaving for a visit to England in a few days, I found it very helpful.

You know what they say, that we are two countries separated by a common language!

 

[oakapple]

Wow, hollydolly, that's an amazing list, thanks. So many words! I had no idea.

 

[oakapple]

There will be variations in all the States in the US as well, and also Canada and Australia and NZ. Would be nice to hear them all.

 

[oakapple]

Babies wear nappies here

 

[hollydolly]

Hollydolly, thanks for the list. As an American leaving for a visit to England in a few days, I found it very helpful.

You know what they say, that we are two countries separated by a common language!

Oh your are so right Sunny... and whereabouts are you coming to over here? I wish you a wonderful trip...

 

[hollydolly]

Wow, hollydolly, that's an amazing list, thanks. So many words! I had no idea.

I am lucky Oak...many Scottish words and pronunciations were adopted by the Americans, so I grew up with many similar ways of saying things, and also I have many American friends so I am very au fait with the different meaning for words..

 

[QuickSilver]

A small alleyway to me is a snicket [a Yorkshire word] in Lancashire it's a ginnel.What does a narrow shortcut/alley mean to you, are there differing words for it in US/Canada/Australia?

here we call that a gangway.. It's the small sidewalk between buildings and houses

 

[QuickSilver]

Yes, here we call it the boot of the car, but it seems to be trunk elsewhere.

carwise.... your bonnet is our hood.

 

[hollydolly]

A small alleyway to me is a snicket [a Yorkshire word] in Lancashire it's a ginnel.What does a narrow shortcut/alley mean to you, are there differing words for it in US/Canada/Australia?

For those on this forum who don't know..Yorkshire is in the North of England, and London is in the sunnier south. The dialect is very different and most often a southerner cannot understand a Yorkshireman when talking face to face .

Here in the London area we call a small alleyway a Twitchell or even an alleyway, LOL

 

[Pam]

...and pants are underwear and not what we call trousers...

Ah... but here in my little corner of northwest England we do the same as Americans and refer to trousers as ... pants. The undergarments would be underpants.

Just thought I'd add a little more confusion.

 

[QuickSilver]

Ah... but here in my little corner of northwest England we do the same as Americans and refer to trousers as ... pants. The undergarments would be underpants.

Just thought I'd add a little more confusion.

I do love the British word.. Knickers.. One having their knickers in a knot.. makes me giggle.


here's another... Bathroom... Restroom, Ladies' room, Mens' room....... American for Loo

 

[Bee]

For those on this forum who don't know..Yorkshire is in the North of England, and London is in the sunnier south. The dialect is very different and most often a southerner cannot understand a Yorkshireman when talking face to face .

Here in the London area we call a small alleyway a Twitchell or even an alleyway, LOL

probably how I come to marry my ex-husband (he is a Yorkshireman)............I said 'yes' when I should have said 'no' ..........if you know what I mean. :bigwink:

 

[Bee]

Ah... but here in my little corner of northwest England we do the same as Americans and refer to trousers as ... pants. The undergarments would be underpants.

Just thought I'd add a little more confusion.

I call both trousers and knickers....pants.......no wonder I get confused when I am getting dressed to go out.:lofl: