There are British words that don't have American equivalents. Then, there are British words which aren't really used in American English, but which Americans readily understand (or vice-versa.) There are British words that Americans THINK they recognize, but they aren't what they think they are.
The following nouns, things, are interesting because most of them don't even mean anything at all to an American - at least they don't mean what they mean to a Brit.
Americans have their own words for all of these common items, though. Can any of you (Americans or non-Americans) list the American versions of these words?
Note: Wikipedia says all these words are in common British usage. I don't always trust Wikipedia, so let me know if they are lying.
drawing pin
flannel
full stop
paraffin
hob
invigilator
jumper
flyover
kitchen roll
ladybird
elastoplast
reel of cotton
counterfoil
nappy
rasher
turn-ups
electric fire
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The answers (American versions of the above words) appear below. Don't look until you've tried to translate on your own first. :)
thumb tack
wash cloth
period (punctuation)
kerosene
kitchen stove burner
proctor
sweater
freeway overpass
paper towels
ladybug
band-aid
spool of thread
megaphone, bullhorn
stub (as in ticket stub or check stub)
diaper
slice (of bacon)
cuffs (on trousers)
space heater
I think the world of words in the "English" language is merging and melding into one. We, of course, down this way are very familiar British words; on the other hand we're also very familiar with American-English...and we just gather up all the letters they leave out - and are storing them away for future use...just in case!! ;)
ReplyDeleteI knew most of these. Can't I win something?
ReplyDeleteFunny story, I asked my son to get me a pen once and he brought me a saftey PIN! AHHHHH! My American son pronounces "pen" and "pin" differently like his English Dad!