Separated By A Common Language

[Sandstone]

Sometimes I have to stop and think about you mean when you post in American or Aussie English.


The one that gets me every time is "pissed".
When I use it I mean "I'm more than merry, after a vodka or four".
But you foreigners mean "I'm rather cross now"

I had the same trouble on a sailing course with an American. He said "Tie it to that boo-ey", using a word that rhymed with chewy. It took me far too long to realise he meant buoy, to rhyme with toy.

Any more examples of how using one language divides our many nations?

 

[therapybankrupt]

:roflmao:

 

[Britt.f7]

Stenni, it's not just divided among our nations but among our countries. Here in the states(America's), there is a "bubbler" and a "drinking fountain", I'm sure there are other words for it, but those are the two different one's here. We have "soda", "pop", "soft drink", or the exact names of the products, like Coca Cola, Pepsi. Though it is common to have a "brat" here in the Midwest(maybe just Wisconsin, not sure), it isn't common in the Southern states.

I think each country has various dialects. When I was learning Italian, our teacher told us where it was based and that it may not be the same throughout Italy.

Here is something I found interesting on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_words_having_different_meanings_in_British_and_American_English

And this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_words_not_widely_used_in_the_United_Kingdom

Hope you find it interesting too. :)

 

[Sandstone]

"Flaky" is another word that confuses me. I think it relates to pastry, paint or skin conditions, but it has another meaning outside Britain that I'm not really clear about.

 

[Britt.f7]

Flaky is being a bit absent minded or a little bit off. At least around my neck of the woods. Wisconsin, USA

It is also in reference to the things you mentioned.

 

[Abstract]

Hmmm... I think there are some words that can lead to major confusion. For one there is a word that is used in the States for ones bottom that has a very different meaning in the UK! :wideeyed: And "pants" in the States are what we would call trousers rather than underwear. :rolleyes:

And we in the UK wonder why on earth you in the States want to go to the bathroom when you need the loo. :oops:

 

[Sandstone]

But that's also a class thing in the UK. The posh people use a lavatory, not a loo.

 

[Britt.f7]

We have lavatories, restrooms, and bathrooms in the America's. Personally, I do like water closets for what we would call half baths (toilet and sink).

 

[Britt.f7]

Pants and trousers can be the same thing here. Panties are women's underwear. Tighty whities can be men's underwear, briefs, as well as boxers, and a few other things. Women's panties can be hipsters, briefs, bikini, or thongs. I think there are a few more for those too. ;):shy: And "going commando" is if you prefer not to wear underwear.

 

[Smushroom]

Thongs. To us Aussies, this means a pair of shoes ideal for wearing at the beach. In other countries, this could mean a rather cheeky sort of underwear!

 

[Britt.f7]

Yep, thongs are also sandals that go between toes in the America's. I just saw a funny cartoon where a lady slipped a pair of thong underwear onto her feet to wear like shoes.

 

[Abstract]

. The posh people use a lavatory, not a loo.

stenni, I work in the middle of the most salubrious part of London and in all my years of work have almost never had a client ask to use the word lavatory and plenty of times the word "loo" :D But there you go. Toilet yes at times but lavatory rarely. I think it's less used these days. To those of you in the states - sorry to use the word "toilet" as it seems to me it is an offensive one there!;)