English to USA Translations

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Pengi81
Pengi81 Posts: 336 Member
in Chit-Chat
These just really amuse/interest me.

I love how you call Porridge - Oatmeal, makes it sound much more appealing
A pavement is a sidewalk
Rubbish is Trash

Anyone got any others? Likes or pet hates?

I made a bunch of friends in Florida once so we were taking it in turns to speak in each other's accents - hearing them trying to be English and saying the word "bottle" was too funny! :laugh:
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  • saturnine15
    saturnine15 Posts: 140
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    We say "tons"
    You say "loads"
    I always notice that. I kind of like it.
  • PapaverSomniferum
    PapaverSomniferum Posts: 2,677 Member
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    "lorry" vs "semi"

    "biscuit" vs "cookie"
  • Jules2Be
    Jules2Be Posts: 2,267 Member
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    i love when you guys say BOLLOCKS!
  • the_journeyman
    the_journeyman Posts: 1,877 Member
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    Potato chips = Crisps
    Candy (like hard candy & similar = Lollies

    JM
  • AnninStPaul
    AnninStPaul Posts: 1,372 Member
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    car park = parking lot
    gateaux = cake
    prawns = shrimp
    lemonade = lemon lime soda (7up, Sprite)
    chips = fries
    cossie = swimsuit
  • doorki
    doorki Posts: 2,611 Member
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    I once saw a daycare called "Little Bugger's PreSchool."
  • BrionyTallis
    BrionyTallis Posts: 90 Member
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    spanner = wrench
    boot = trunk (car)
    windscreen = windshield (car)
    mate = buddy, friend
    *kitten* = cigarette
    cheers = goodbye

    My favorite story is from a male friend that was stationed there and was told by a woman at the end of the evening to "OK knock me up in the morning." A discussion took place as to what the woman meant as in USA "knock up" means to make make pregnant not to wake up by knocking on the door.

    I know more but I can't think of them now and someone will probably post them later.
  • DalexD
    DalexD Posts: 236 Member
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    Potato chips = Crisps
    Candy (like hard candy & similar = Lollies

    JM

    We call lolly pops lollies, hard candy would just be called sweets I think :laugh: or hard boiled sweets :tongue:
  • lorforde
    lorforde Posts: 68 Member
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    They are called lollies in Australia and New Zealand.
    Irish(me) and English call them sweets :smile:
  • roachhaley
    roachhaley Posts: 978 Member
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    Pavement = sidewalk
    Crisps = chips
    Chips = french fries
    Biscuits = cookies
    "It was quite good" = i didn't like it ;)
    prawns = shrimp
    baps = buns

    ugh cant think of any more atm but my boyfriend and i are constantly hearing eachother say words we've never heard of :s
  • freder1ck
    freder1ck Posts: 44 Member
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    fortnight. I worked on a project once with an Australian, and he used fortnight as a timeframe, and I had to look it up to see that it means 14 days (not 4).
  • charliedavisxxx
    charliedavisxxx Posts: 53 Member
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    haha we don't say 'knock me up' or 'gataux'
    love that Americans think we do though.

    you say 'pissed' to mean angry.... i keep thinking you're describing yourself as 'so drunk' not 'so angry'...

    xxx
  • EmmaM2211
    EmmaM2211 Posts: 536 Member
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    spanner = wrench
    boot = trunk (car)
    windscreen = windshield (car)
    mate = buddy, friend
    *kitten* = cigarette
    cheers = goodbye

    Good try but Cheers = Thank you :-D
  • thrld
    thrld Posts: 610 Member
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    sneakers = trainers
    briefs = v-fronts
    costumed = fancy dress
  • the_journeyman
    the_journeyman Posts: 1,877 Member
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    I loved being in Australia and comparing the words. Maybe I just like linguistics..

    Que = Line
    Pissed = Drunk

    JM
  • JTH11706
    JTH11706 Posts: 2,918 Member
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    This one can be amusing:

    trousers = pants
    pants = underpants
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
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    "smart" vs. "nice"
    "carry on" vs. "go past"

    I should have a ton. The boyfriend and I spend every Saturday night watching British sitcoms, but my brain shuts down when I actually try to think of anything!

    I wish I could speak British instead of American, but I can't do accents (other than the one I have) and I would just sound silly.
  • charliedavisxxx
    charliedavisxxx Posts: 53 Member
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    oh yeh... the 'candy' 'chocolate' thing confuses me. to me candy is old style hard boiled sweets x
  • _Elemenopee_
    _Elemenopee_ Posts: 2,665 Member
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    spanner = wrench
    boot = trunk (car)
    windscreen = windshield (car)
    mate = buddy, friend
    *kitten* = cigarette
    cheers = goodbye

    My favorite story is from a male friend that was stationed there and was told by a woman at the end of the evening to "OK knock me up in the morning." A discussion took place as to what the woman meant as in USA "knock up" means to make make pregnant not to wake up by knocking on the door.

    I know more but I can't think of them now and someone will probably post them later.

    knock me up in the morning....ARE YOU SERIOUS? I'm laughing hysterically at this as I type!!!!!!
  • ZugTheMegasaurus
    ZugTheMegasaurus Posts: 801 Member
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    My junior year of college, I watched only British TV and listened to only British bands. I had to start re-Americanizing myself when people stopped being able to understand me!

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