What is your favourite American-ism?

curleesam
curleesam Posts: 462 Member
edited September 24 in Chit-Chat
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
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Replies

  • monkeyboy881
    monkeyboy881 Posts: 287
    balls = bollucks
  • RainyAM
    RainyAM Posts: 18 Member
    aluminum = aluminium!!

    Fanny pack is a favourite too ... hehehe ;o)
  • haleighallen
    haleighallen Posts: 209 Member
    i'm bumping this :P
  • monkeyboy881
    monkeyboy881 Posts: 287
    pleas explain the bumping thing
  • curleesam
    curleesam Posts: 462 Member
    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
    monkeyboy881 Posts: 287
    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
    CallousMalice Posts: 32
    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
    whiskey9890 Posts: 652 Member
    ahhhhh so are cooties germs? cos i've always wondered this
  • curleesam
    curleesam Posts: 462 Member
    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
    netty1983 Posts: 15 Member
    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
    halobender Posts: 780 Member
    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
    McKayMachina Posts: 2,670 Member
    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
    katnz17 Posts: 45
    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
    DanL66712 Posts: 135
    *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
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    "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
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    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
    WhiteStar2351 Posts: 87
    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'! :smile:
  • bahrainbel
    bahrainbel Posts: 194
    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
    netty1983 Posts: 15 Member
    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
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    *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
    halobender Posts: 780 Member
    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'! :smile:
    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
    curleesam Posts: 462 Member
    *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
    Justibone Posts: 4
    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
    Justibone Posts: 4
    Oh, yeah!

    "Tube" = subway

    Cheers!
  • netty1983
    netty1983 Posts: 15 Member
    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
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    "Bangs" for fringe makes me giggle.
  • zeeeb
    zeeeb Posts: 805 Member
    Sneakers - Trainers - Runners - Joggers - Depending on where in the world you are

    Bathers, Swimmers, Swimming Costume, togs etc...
  • WhiteStar2351
    WhiteStar2351 Posts: 87
    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'! :smile:
    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! :wink:
  • curleesam
    curleesam Posts: 462 Member
    "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 :smile:
  • Breckgirl
    Breckgirl Posts: 606 Member
    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.
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