Brit Speak Help
 

Does anyone know of a website (or have info they can email me) on the translation of the more common words from American English to British English (ie- cookies vs biscuits, etc.). I thought one of my travel guides would have a section, but they don't and I really don't want to buy another book. I really would like to show my respect to the place I am visiting, by taking the time to learn their lingo. Thanks!

Try this site: <BR> <BR>http://pages.prodigy.com/NY/NYC/britspk/main.html

There's also a very good book which looks at the sociologically differences that lead to the naguage difference. it's called "Brit-speak; Ameri-speak" <BR> <BR>But don't you change a thing about yourself. We think it's cute

The site you need is set up by a Brit living in the US. It is, I think, www.effingham.com and is very comprehensive. <BR>F Y I, many Londoners are slavishly copying North American words and sentence structures, which I find boring. Not because it is North American they are copying, but because they are copying full stop (=period.) <BR>For example, saying 'airplane' rather than 'aeroplane', and 'can I get' rather than 'can I have' in a bar or food shop etc. To me it sounds ridiculous, like a North American using British English phrases and words, like 'bloody' or 'queue'.

There was a dreadful trend about 20 years ago toward what I think was called a "North Atlantic" accent, in which North American and UK syntax, accent, and vocabulary were merged into a David Frost-ian mush/porridge which everybody hated. Ours is too wonderful a language to homogenize/se. Just remember, Dru, that a pint of beer is a is more than half a quart.

"Effingham" jogged my memory but it's actually www.effingpot.com, I remember someone mentioning it a while ago. Effingham seems to be a town in Illinois, nice enough site but nothing to do with britspeak/amerispeak.

It was a "mid-atlantic" accent. It was particlaurly prevalent for a while in Aberdeen because ther were so many Americans here for the oil industry and also because so many of our homegrowns had spent time over seas with Americans. <BR> <BR>Now it's just pretentious

So I guess I'll sound pretty stupid if I say "Bloody Hell" when I pick up the check?

You mean the bill, surely. :) <BR>

Maybe Dru means an inadequate cheque with which the bill is to be paid. OK sentiment, though.

I've moved to the States and these are the main ones I found different- <BR>fanny pack--bum bag <BR>check--bill <BR>bangs--fringe <BR>purse--hand bag <BR>parking lot--car park <BR>trunk(car)--boot <BR>interstate--motorway <BR>swim suit--swimming costume <BR>pants--trousers <BR>side walk--pavement <BR>bathroom--toilet or gents <BR>cell phone--mobile <BR> <BR>

Thanks everyone, I knew you'd point me in the right direction.

Here is partial list I made up for a 5th grader back home in the States for a project he was doing on Scotland. He quizzed his friends about what they thought each British term meant. <BR> <BR>A Cookie is a biscuit <BR>A Potato Chip is a Crisp <BR>A French fry is a chip. <BR>Candy is called Sweets <BR>A Sweater is called a Jumper <BR>Pants are called Trousers <BR>Men's underwear are pants; women's are knickers. <BR>Shopping carts are called Trolleys <BR>Apartments are called Flats <BR>A windbreaker is called a Windcheater or Cagoule (pronounced: Ka-gool) <BR>Rain boots are called Wellies <BR>Diapers are called Nappies <BR>Americans go to the bathroom while the Scottish go to the toilet, the loo or the WC (water closet) <BR>Sneakers are called Trainers <BR>Gasoline is called Petrol <BR>We stand in a line, the Scottish stand in a queue (Pronounced: cue) <BR>A Band-Aid is a Plaster <BR>The Oven is called a Cooker <BR>Churches are Kirks <BR>Your little brother or sister would be your “wee” brother or sister. <BR>A small child is called a “wee bairn” <BR>A parking lot is called a Car Park <BR>A Highway is a Motorway or Carriageway <BR>Soccer is called Football <BR>Our football is called American Football and is starting to get popular here. <BR>Eggs only come with brown shells. There are no white-shelled eggs here. <BR>Math is called Maths <BR>What Americans call Private Schools, the Scottish call Public Schools. These are “fee-paying” schools. The schools that everyone can go to are called State Schools. <BR>The TV is called the Telly. <BR>A Garbage Can is called a Bin. <BR>The game Tag is called Tig and the tagger is a Tigger. <BR>Markers are felt pens. <BR>Yards are called Gardens. <BR>Backpacks are called Rucksacks <BR>A Doctors office is called a Surgery. Having an operation is also called having surgery. The operating room is called an Operating Theater. <BR>A Postman is called a Postie and the mail is called the Post. <BR>Pharmacies are called Chemists <BR>Q-tips are called Cotton Buds <BR>Jello is called Jelly and our Jelly is called Jam here. <BR>A Popsicle is called an Ice-Lolly <BR>A crossing guard is called a Lollipop Man because he holds a round stop sign on a stick! <BR>To call someone on the phone, you would ring them. <BR>A living room is called a lounge. <BR>The trunk of a car is a boot and the hood is a bonnet. <BR>The windshield of a car is a windscreen. <BR>Bangs (hair) are called Fringe. <BR> <BR>Addendum: <BR>Most importantly, do not refer to that thing around your waist as a fanny pack. Very bad to do that! <BR> <BR>But, really, don't worry about changing your vocabulary. People here know that you are American and can understand American vocabulary. They're great sports! <BR>

A couple of others I've run across while visiting and looking for houses/apartments to rent (there's one - to LET): <BR> <BR>Rangetop/burners = hob (anyone know from whence that comes?) <BR> <BR>while = whilst <BR> <BR>napkins = serviettes <BR> <BR>bulkie/water roll = bap (again, where did that originate?) <BR> <BR>And, I have a question: I was eating in a steak house and the waitress asked if I wanted sauce...I said no since I'm a salt-and-pepper kinda gal, but then I thought, what the heck is SAUCE?

Let's not forget "mind the ______" - the favorite being "mind the gap" - if you don't come home from London saying that for awhile you did not spend enough time on the Underground. <BR> <BR>Post (a letter) instead of mail it <BR>Take-away = take out <BR>"Hoover" is used by friends of ours to mean vacuum (not sure if that is commonly used tho) <BR>Stalls = Orchestra (as in seats at the theater) <BR> <BR>My mind is drawing a blank at this moment but what we call the first floor in a bldg. is called something else ... what Americans refer to as the second floor is "the first floor". <BR> <BR>Like Elvira I'd like to know where the term "hob" comes from - anyone know? <BR> <BR>

There's really only one word you absolutely must master before attempting to Britify your speech, and that is..."sorry." Use it whenever possible, and you'll fit right in. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>You think I'm joking, but I'm not.

I feel the need to confuse matters further. <BR> <BR>There is a class issue in the use of words in Britain. It came to mind when I was reading the last few postings. <BR> <BR>There was a 1950s book published here called "U and non-U" (U being understood to mean Upper- as in class) <BR> <BR>A U person would not say toilet or WC they might say loo but proper use is lavatory- and not as in some parts of Glasgow, lavvie. <BR> <BR>One should never saw serviette- always napkin. <BR> <BR>Always living room or drawing room- never lounge. <BR> <BR>The (American) first floor is the (British) ground floor, Lori. And in Scotland a take away is also a kerry oot (Carry out, and it can mean drink from an off-licence which is a liquor store as well as a curry) <BR> <BR>Elvira, sauce is (usually) Ketchup, but it can be brown sauce (also known as HP because that's the best known brand name) <BR> <BR>In my continuing them of being a sad b*****d on this Forum, as well as caln maps and castle maps, I've also bought abook on etymology, but it's at home so I'll check on bap and hob when I get back. <BR> <BR>I come originally from a town 80 miles south of here where a roll is a roll. I've been here 25 years and I still ask for rolls in the shops and am surprised when I'm given a buttery- also known here as a roll or a rowie. <BR>

Also, <BR>trucks=lorries <BR>bus=coach <BR>And (my personal favorite) I don't like him, I "fancy" him. <BR>And yes, at some point some innkeeper may well ask you what time you'd like to be "knocked up" in the morning.

Sheila reminds me that there’s probably a need for a Scottish-English dictionary as well as an American-British one. <BR>Handy Scottish bar/pub = tavern (US) terms (no charge for opinions): <BR>Public bar = where the action is <BR>Lounge bar = quieter, cleaner. (In British Columbia for years the sign said “Ladies with Escorts” over the lounge bar entrance. Otherwise…?) <BR>Whisky = Scotch <BR>Whiskey = Irish whisky <BR>Lemonade = something awful and why would you want THAT with your whisky or beer? <BR>Dram or nip = shot <BR>Quarter gill (a portion of booze) = one fourth of a gill = 1 fluid oz. <BR>Fifth gill = getting more common. Now Euro-fied? <BR>Heavy (Scot.) = bitter (Eng.) (sort of) = ale (US) <BR>Light = undrinkable (IMO). Not to be confused with (US) “Lite” (= equally undrinkable, but for different reasons) <BR>Lager = yellow beer <BR>Wee heavy = look out <BR>Shandy = half beer and half ginger beer or lemonade (see above if you’re not careful) (US - 7-up or ginger ale) <BR>Ginger beer = ginger ale (in your dreams) <BR>Lager & lime = beer and sweetened lime juice (US) <BR>Brown (or “broon”) = Newcastle Brown Ale. Not to be confused with brown sauce, see mince pie (Scot.) = meat pie but NOT pork pie (US) <BR>P*ssed = drunk, not mad (usually) <BR>Scrumpy = where bad apple cider goes to die. <BR>Jimmy = your name, even if it’s really Harold. <BR>Last orders = time to complete the process of getting hammered by ordering several pints then emerging into the night in order to become a traffic menace. <BR> <BR>Oh, and “hoover” is also a verb, like, “I have to hoover the lounge because Jimmy was p*ssed and dropped his packet of crisps when he reached for his fags.” <BR>

My dad used to ask for a spanner (wrench) and preferred to trunk his solicitor (send message to lawyer) occasionally.

John, you made me laugh out loud right here at my work desk. A more practical (and succinct) dictionary has never been published. <BR> <BR>Bless your pea-pickin' heart....

As usual, you guys are TOO funny. John, even I've seen enough British films to know a fag is a cigarette. Soooo, whilst I'm at the pub, I'll queue to get a pint, pick up the bill, over indulge & get p*ssed, and then head for the loo. How am I doing?

oops

See, now you think that's funny, Dru; I just think it's ordinary!! <BR> <BR>just got back from the funny farm (and yes it is 1am our time) <BR> <BR>Folwer's Modern English usage was useless nut my dictionary tells me that a bap is an elliptical Scottish roll (Ety uncertain), so that didn't help <BR> <BR>It also didn't give etymology for hob, but remined me that it's an old word just meaning hot flat surface; like on a stove? <BR> <BR>And yes, John, there are whole Scots Language dictionaries.

Don't forget "call box" (telephone booth). Here's a cute one. Years ago in Scotland I saw two little girls trying to make an elevator operational. I got in and said "did you girls figure out what was wrong with the elevator?" One looked at the other and said "what did she say??" Then I remembered "britspeak" and rephrased "Have you lassies sorted out the problem with the lift". The light went on and they answered me politely. It's fun to live and learn. <BR>

P.S. Don't forget "quaffing a pint" or "don't get your knickers in a twist" or "shall I give you a knock up in the morning". Translation: "lets have a beer" "don't get all upset" and "shall I knock on your door to wake you" . Now if you really want to have fun with the language, go to Yorkshire and spend some time there. We visited friends their and could hardly understand the children. Apparently they are very proud of their accent, and can turn it on and off at will...they had a great deal of fun with un confounding us with "Yorkshire" speak.

Dear Dru, <BR>You think you may have problems with translation... <BR>1.Can anyone tell me how / what a block is ? When travelling in the US we would envariably ask directions & be told "Oh two blocks back & then do a right". How far is that ? What will I pass on the way ? (Inevaribly it was the person providing the re-direction) ! <BR>2. How is it you can overtake on both inside & outside lanes of a motorway/freeway, How do you know whose winning ? <BR> <BR>I am certain we made many mistakes albeit unknowingly, but we were never made to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome. <BR>

Lots of problems in the food department. Courgettes (sp.?) for zucchini. Aubergine for eggplant. Joint for roast (noun). Griddlecakes for pancakes. I believe it was Dr. Samuel Johnson who defined oatmeal as something the Scots eat and the English use to feed their horses.

For Anna: <BR> <BR>1. A block is the length of street (or sidewalk [pavement to you?]) between one intersection and the next. So if someone says, "two blocks up and make a left," she means, advance two intersections (you're on 1st St., go to 3d St.) and turn left. What is the British term? <BR>2. Yikes, someone gave you wrong (and dangerous) driving info. Passing (passing is American for overtaking) on the right is illegal. When you picture it, remember to turn it around in your head, since we drive on the right :-). <BR> <BR>Another good book for Americans is British English from A to Zed (zed not zee, right?). It coversa idiom as well as vocabulary. Without it, I'd never have figured out "and Bob's your uncle!"

Don't all Brits Hoover and Vim? Maybe it's been said here somewhere but on the show Coronation St. they say "stopping" for "staying" and "chuffed" for ... "happy"(?). And I think they use the term "punters" but I haven't figured that out yet. Years ago my husband took an English family cobs of corn and they thought he was odd for bringing them cattle fodder.

Dear Caitlin <BR>1. Many thanks for clarifying the position. We normally say " Go to 'The Dukes Head' & turn left, on to 'The Six Bells'on the right & go right, & just passed the 'The Fox Revived' etc. We provide directions via Pubs. <BR>2. Thank you for pointing out the driving requirements. It was just that cars seemed to pass us from all directions. It didn't help that we always appeared to be facing on-coming traffic !!! <BR>

Caitlin, <BR> <BR>due to the irregular layout of our towns/cities to use directions such as 'two blocks' would be pointless - you have to say 'second right turn by the Kings Head' (the plethora of pubs are v useful for directions)

What about "flannel" for face cloth or wash cloth?

Dear Lara <BR>Flannel can also be used in a more cockney term to indicate that someone is making up a story ie "What a load of flannel" or alternatively "Are you telling pork pies" (Lies). It just depends what part of the UK your from !

Anna, <BR> <BR>Just to clarify about driving: If you're on a multi-lane highway/freeway/turnpike. etc. (what they're called usually depends on what part of the country you're in), that is, two or more lanes in each direction, you may chnage lanes at will, safety permitting. So if you were in a middle lane, people would shift ahead of you to move toward an exit, to move to a faster lane (the further left you go, the faster the traffic; the "fast lane" is the farthest left one), or simply to get into the least crowded lane. Lane changing is frequent and common, and you might have got an extra dose if you were driving on the slow side because you weren't used to right-side driving. 5-10 mph above the posted speed limit is standard, and will rarelyt get you a speeding ticket. On two lane streets and highways, the no-passing-on-the-right laws are pretty universal; sometimes a passing lane (on the left) will crop up occasionally on a two-lane highway. Traffic regulations, such as right turn on red, the rights of pedestrians, and speed limits, are made at the state, not federal, level, and so vary from place to place. Quite confusing for foreign visitors!

Dear Caitlin, <BR>Thank you so much for your advise. I think what threw us was the different names given for a motorway/dual carriageway ie turnpike/freeway etc. <BR>We stayed at a villa in Florida for a week on our first visit & our neighbours were from all over the US, hense the different names used. It took us 2 hours to leave the airport & we passed through the same toll both at least 3 times, the sign above stated "adopt a highway " or similar, adopt one .. I think we bought it. The toll collector asked if we were filming something for 'Monty Python '. oh! oh ! We only had a small amount of coins the rest being travellers cheques & I envisaged using them all to get away from the airport. What a nightmare. <BR>My sister & I left Florida & drove up to Williamsburg Virginia & really it was a breeze highly enjoyable & fun stopping off when the mood took us. <BR>I don't think we drove too slowly as my sister kept up with the traffic albeit we stayed in the inside lane ( or at least what we perceived to be the inside lane) for the most part. It was just we could have done with a compass as every sign indicated either East / West etc. Although on occasions we unknowingly took the wrong road, it didn't seem to matter a jot, as we met some of the nicest people who went out of their way to redirect us. We had a great time & are currently planning our next US adventure. Be Scared...Be Very Scared... <BR>

This is a really interesting thread. <BR> <BR>In the north west of England, around the Manchester area, there are some wonderful words and phrases that have the power to make me almost choke at the power of language to communicate ideas effectively, as well as to entertain. <BR>My very favourite is 'Ann Twacky', as in ' Eee, Beulah, look (pron. 'lewk') at that sideboard. It's proper Ann Twacky.' It means 'old-fashioned' and as far as I know, it is a corruption of the word 'antique', the 'Twacky' possibly being a misreading of the 'tique' bit of the word. <BR>My family has loads of expressions like that. When I went to university, my friends and I would often talk about local words and how they differed. My friend Sarah still maintains I am lying when I say we called bleach 'lanry' and a swelling in the eye a 'powk' (instead of a stye.) <BR> <BR>Any more for any more? (Another peculiarly northern English <BR>phrase there.) <BR> <BR>Si' thee. (Goodbye.)

Wonderful, interesting and FUNNY thread - so much better than the numerous backbiting, snotty posts going on at the U.S. forum lately. I've never been to Europe, but am enjoying reading these very much. Are there any words/phrases that are unique to Scotland, Ireland or Wales?

The first time I went to London, I was trying to leave the airport building and looked everywhere for an "exit" sign---not one in sight. finally I saw a sign "Way Out" with an arrow pointing the way! I loved that one. But now I think the "Exit" signs have taken over.

Anna, <BR> <BR>I myself am sometimes confused by the road terminology (highway/turnpike/freeway, etc.). I can tell you that you will find turnpikes only in the east, and that freeway is a western US term, so coined to differentiate from the toll roads common in the east (i.e., freeways are free). Highway is used to cover just about everything (except turnpikes, for some reason); cf interstate highway system, which roads are referred to as, e.g., US 101 or I-5. <BR> <BR>BTW, Adopt-a-Highway is a program where organizations (or individuals) "adopt" a stretch of roadway and are then in theory responsible for keeping it free of litter. You may have noticed the signs that crop up every few miles on some roads saying who "owns" that stretch of road, usually an organization, but occasionally a celebrity name will pop up. (Though I don't see them going out and picking up trash [rubbish!] from the side of the road...) <BR> <BR>Now a question for you: OK, I undestand "Bob's yopur uncle!" but does anyone use this expression in "real" life?