What is your favourite American-ism?

curleesam

I love the way Americans name things differently to the English. I know we are probably just as funny with our little phrases and sayings but what are your favourite Americanisms? Mine are:

Barf = sick
fanny pack = bum bag

monkeyboy881

balls = bollucks

RainyAM

aluminum = aluminium!!

Fanny pack is a favourite too ... hehehe ;o)

haleighallen

i'm bumping this :P

monkeyboy881

pleas explain the bumping thing

curleesam

bump is so it appears higher on the recent posts but also so that you can track it on your profile and go back to it later.

monkeyboy881

aww i see look at the noob i been bouncing back and fourth trying to reply to my posts never thought bout looking on my profile hehe

CallousMalice

Wow, you're not the only n00bler, I didn't know that either.

I had an English roommate for a while that used to call his rolling suitcase a "trolley". Also, I just learned what lergy means, similar to cooties... lol

whiskey9890

ahhhhh so are cooties germs? cos i've always wondered this

curleesam

Wow, you're not the only n00bler, I didn't know that either.

I had an English roommate for a while that used to call his rolling suitcase a "trolley". Also, I just learned what lergy means, similar to cooties... lol

Yes lergy's is a bit of a weird phrase! I have no idea where it came from!!

netty1983

I love the shock on americans faces when british people keep saying they are going for a *kitten* hehehehe

I also like Pacifier = Dummy, funny they call it something the intended users will never be able to say hehehe

halobender

I think this actually works both ways, so ...

Trunk = boot
Hood = bonnet
Hello/ Goodbye/ Thanks/ Sincerely/ Best wishes = Cheers (at least, I've heard it used to mean all those things)
Tired = knackered
Underwear = Pants
Ladies' underwear = knickers
Drunk = pissed

... There are tons of idioms that I don't remember. These are ones I like which come to mind.

McKayMachina

I love the shock on americans faces when british people keep saying they are going for a *kitten* hehehehe

I also like Pacifier = Dummy, funny they call it something the intended users will never be able to say hehehe

We also have a nickname for it, though: Binky

katnz17

Petrol = Gas.

The ltitle kid in me always wants to giggle when American's talk about the price of gas, getting gas or pumping gas. lol

DanL66712

*kitten* = cigarette - that one always makes me laugh. If you asked for a *kitten* in the states, you'd sound really bad!

Especially if you asked if you could bum a *kitten*....as in to take a cigarette for free from one of your mates...

BerryH

"The tap's stuck"
"The what?"
"The tap, you know the thing the water comes out of"
"Oh, faucet!"

So I tried forcing it and it came off in my hand.

Lyadeia

Petrol = Gas.

The ltitle kid in me always wants to giggle when American's talk about the price of gas, getting gas or pumping gas. lol

I still laugh at my mom because when I was around 8 years old or so, we nearly ran out...and she had to put the car in neutral to coast into the station. And then afterwards, she exclaimed with great joy "It feels so good to have gas!!!" :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

WhiteStar2351

bump is so it appears higher on the recent posts but also so that you can track it on your profile and go back to it later.

Alternatively you could click on 'Community' -> 'My Topics' and there's a full list of all the forum boards you've posted on - no need for 'bumping'!

bahrainbel

i like all of them......i find myself saying "for sure" a lot.......calling my mobile my "cell"..........on mfp i am paticularly fond of "wtg" "great burn" and "good job".

the last guy I dated was an American......he used to make me say the word taboo over and over, as he liked how it sounded in a british accent, lol.

netty1983

Petrol = Gas.

The ltitle kid in me always wants to giggle when American's talk about the price of gas, getting gas or pumping gas. lol

We are supposed to call it gas now, when you learn to drive they tell you thats what it is now and the accelerater is now the gas pedal

Lyadeia

*kitten* = cigarette - that one always makes me laugh. If you asked for a *kitten* in the states, you'd sound really bad!

Especially if you asked if you could bum a *kitten*....as in to take a cigarette for free from one of your mates...

Bum a *kitten*??? Oh...My...GAWD. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I can see a Facebook status message forming in my head...

halobender

Alternatively you could click on 'Community' -> 'My Topics' and there's a full list of all the forum boards you've posted on - no need for 'bumping'!

Still gotta post into it for it to appear in "My Topics". As such, if you don't have an idiom to add then you'd have to bump so as to follow it.

curleesam

*kitten* = cigarette - that one always makes me laugh. If you asked for a *kitten* in the states, you'd sound really bad!

Especially if you asked if you could bum a *kitten*....as in to take a cigarette for free from one of your mates...

Bum a *kitten*??? Oh...My...GAWD. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I can see a Facebook status message forming in my head...

Only just realised how awful that must sound to the non-UK'ers! LOL

Justibone

In American, "queue" is only a verb when playing pool, also known as billiards. We also prefer to form "lines" instead of "queues", but we use queues (queue sticks) to hit billiard balls. There's something so odd about that word, I'm not even certain I spelled it correctly.

"Telly" = television (I'm not sure whether Brits still use that one), which Americans just call "TV"
"Lorrie" = truck, or the American "semi", "18-wheeler", "tractor-trailer" or even "rig". Lorries are smaller than "semis".
"Knackered" = sounds filthy, but isn't.
"Chips" = fries
"Crisps" = chips
"Biscuit" = cookie
"Tea" = a snack or small meal between lunch and dinner -- not literally just hot water and herbs

My boss is British, we love to tease him about his mother's kidney pie. He nearly drools thinking of it. Then again, British food is an entirely different thread.

Cheers!

Justibone

Oh, yeah!

"Tube" = subway

Cheers!

netty1983

In American, "queue" is only a verb when playing pool, also known as billiards. We also prefer to form "lines" instead of "queues", but we use queues (queue sticks) to hit billiard balls. There's something so odd about that word, I'm not even certain I spelled it correctly.

"Telly" = television (I'm not sure whether Brits still use that one), which Americans just call "TV"
"Lorrie" = truck, or the American "semi", "18-wheeler", "tractor-trailer" or even "rig". Lorries are smaller than "semis".
"Knackered" = sounds filthy, but isn't.
"Chips" = fries
"Crisps" = chips
"Biscuit" = cookie
"Tea" = a snack or small meal between lunch and dinner -- not literally just hot water and herbs

My boss is British, we love to tease him about his mother's kidney pie. He nearly drools thinking of it. Then again, British food is an entirely different thread.

Cheers!

If your standing in a line its queue, if your playing a game with a stick its a cue

BerryH

"Bangs" for fringe makes me giggle.

zeeeb

Sneakers - Trainers - Runners - Joggers - Depending on where in the world you are

Bathers, Swimmers, Swimming Costume, togs etc...

WhiteStar2351

Alternatively you could click on 'Community' -> 'My Topics' and there's a full list of all the forum boards you've posted on - no need for 'bumping'!

Still gotta post into it for it to appear in "My Topics". As such, if you don't have an idiom to add then you'd have to bump so as to follow it.

Good point! It's too early in the week for my brain to be fully functional yet!

curleesam

"Bangs" for fringe makes me giggle.

I did not know that!!! I've heard the phrase before and wondered what on earth it meant!! That is too funny

Breckgirl

Was dating a Brit and I needed him to call me to wake me up for an important meeting. He asked, "What time do you want me to knock you up?" I nearly peed my pants on that one.