#284930 - 31/07/2006 05:45
English vs American
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addict
Registered: 23/12/2002
Posts: 652
Loc: Winston Salem, NC
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I've been to the UK before, but only in short spurts. I am just wrapping up a month-long visit, and during my stay, I have compiled a list of differences between English and American speech. I've had quite a laugh over some of the uses and pronunciations, and so, without further ado... English American- Holiday vs Vacation
- Chips vs Fries
- Crisps vs Chips
- Garden vs Backyard
- Lorry vs Truck
- Trolly vs Cart (as in a shopping cart)
- Knickers/Pants vs Underwear
- Loo/Toilet vs Bathroom/Restroom
- Let vs Rent
- Biscuit vs Cookie
- Torch vs Flashlight
- Vitamin (pronounced with a soft "i" as in "big") vs Vitamin (pronounced with a hard "i", as in "bike")
- Drink Driving vs Drunk Driving
- Boot vs Trunk
- Nappy vs Diaper
- Swimming Costume vs Swimsuit
- Boots vs Shoes (specifically athletic)
- Cling Film vs Saran Wrap/Plastic Wrap
- Sun Cream vs Sunblock/Sunscreen
- Pupil vs Student
- Vest vs Undershirt (specifically the one with no sleeves, ala the "wifebeater" style)
- Queue (how many vowels can we put in succession in a word?) vs Line
- Fillet (ignore the French pronunciation and say it just like it is spelled: Fill-et) vs Filet (pronounce it like the French intended: Fil-lay)
- Jalapeño (ignore the Spanish pronunciation and say it just like it is spelled: Jal-a-pee-no) vs Jalapeño (pronounce it like the Spanish intended: Hal-a-pen-yo)
I'm sure there is more, so feel free to add to the list.
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#284931 - 31/07/2006 08:53
Re: English vs American
[Re: Cybjorg]
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addict
Registered: 24/07/2002
Posts: 618
Loc: South London
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Ok.....
I'd remove Jalapeño because that's obviously just someone being a moron, everybody I know pronounces it correctly.
Pupil vs Student - Pupil specifically means somebody in education up to the age of 16, student means somebody over the age of 16 in higher education.
Let vs Rent - We have letting agents, but rent would be the phrase more commonly used, "I'm renting", "I'm going to pay the rent" etc.
Boots vs Shoes - Never hear that, everybody I know calls them shoes, you buy them from the shoe shop.
Adrian
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#284932 - 31/07/2006 09:39
Re: English vs American
[Re: Cybjorg]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 06/04/2005
Posts: 2026
Loc: Seattle transplant
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That's a 'well good' list there- you should be 'right chuffed'! Bonnet vs Hood (engine cover) Hood vs Top (roadster soft-top) Petrol vs Gas/Gasoline And anyway, I don't like Jal-a-pee-nos on my Que-see-dill-as... and don't get me started on those Faj-ee-tas, either! 
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#284933 - 31/07/2006 10:00
Re: English vs American
[Re: sn00p]
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addict
Registered: 23/12/2002
Posts: 652
Loc: Winston Salem, NC
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I keep seeing "TO LET signs around the city. The other day, my brother spotted one where someone had inserted a capital "I" in between the perfect spacing between the words, making it "TOILET".
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#284934 - 31/07/2006 10:17
Re: English vs American
[Re: Cybjorg]
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old hand
Registered: 14/04/2002
Posts: 1172
Loc: Hants, UK
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Quote:
Swimming Costume vs Swimsuit
"Swimming Costume" is a generic term for all swimwear.
"Swimsuit usually refers to the female apparel.
"Trunks" refers to the male speedo-style apparel.
Quote:
Boots vs Shoes (specifically athletic)
Boots I think are the same, generally any footwear which covers the ankle or higher, shoes being anything lower.
Trainers v Sneakers (running shoes) is probably a more common difference
Also the word "fanny" should not be used in the UK, because it refers to a female's body part on the opposite side.
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#284935 - 31/07/2006 10:46
Re: English vs American
[Re: Robotic]
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addict
Registered: 24/07/2002
Posts: 618
Loc: South London
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Quote:
That's a 'well good' list there- you should be 'right chuffed'!
I think you've watched too much simpsons! 
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#284936 - 31/07/2006 10:57
Re: English vs American
[Re: Cybjorg]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12338
Loc: Sterling, VA
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Quote:
Drink Driving vs Drunk Driving
This is the only one that actually bothers me. Why is it said that way in the UK? "Drunk driving" makes sense: you're driving while drunk. "Drink driving" sounds like you make your living driving a beverage truck...or lorry.
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Matt
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#284937 - 31/07/2006 10:58
Re: English vs American
[Re: Dignan]
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addict
Registered: 24/07/2002
Posts: 618
Loc: South London
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Quote:
Quote:
Drink Driving vs Drunk Driving
This is the only one that actually bothers me. Why is it said that way in the UK? "Drunk driving" makes sense: you're driving while drunk. "Drink driving" sounds like you make your living driving a beverage truck...or lorry.
Because you're driving after you've had a drink. You could be convicted of drink-driving without actually being drunk.
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#284938 - 31/07/2006 11:10
Re: English vs American
[Re: sn00p]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 27/02/2004
Posts: 1913
Loc: London
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immigrant / alien
jumper / sweater
trousers / pants
Edited by tahir (31/07/2006 11:12)
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#284939 - 31/07/2006 11:12
Re: English vs American
[Re: sn00p]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14491
Loc: Canada
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Quote:
Because you're driving after you've had a drink.
Yup, more more sensible and truthful than the other way.
Cheers
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#284940 - 31/07/2006 11:44
Re: English vs American
[Re: tahir]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 13/07/2000
Posts: 4180
Loc: Cambridge, England
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There's a lot of food ones, often where US English has borrowed the Italian word: Courgette / zucchini Aubergine / eggplant Spring onion / scallion Coriander leaf / cilantro Pepper / bell-pepper (yes, UK English can't usually distinguish piper nigrum from capsicum annuum except by context) Icing / frosting Jam / jelly http://thefoody.com/glossary/translate.htmlAlso, "entrée" is a first-course in the UK, but a main course in the US. The UK seem to have got hung up on it being the "entrance" to the meal, whereas the US preserves the original meaning of the course that "makes a grand entrance". Peter
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#284941 - 31/07/2006 12:04
Re: English vs American
[Re: peter]
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addict
Registered: 23/12/2002
Posts: 652
Loc: Winston Salem, NC
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Also don't forget...
Telly vs T.V. (as slang for Television)
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#284942 - 31/07/2006 12:09
Re: English vs American
[Re: Cybjorg]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 27/06/1999
Posts: 7058
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Does "flat vs. apartment" qualify?
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#284943 - 31/07/2006 12:15
Re: English vs American
[Re: tonyc]
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old hand
Registered: 16/02/2002
Posts: 867
Loc: Oxford, UK
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Rubbish - Trash
University - College
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#284944 - 31/07/2006 12:20
Re: English vs American
[Re: peter]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 27/06/1999
Posts: 7058
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Quote:
There's a lot of food ones, often where US English has borrowed the Italian word:
Coriander leaf / cilantro
I was aware that coriander is a popular addition to belgian beers, and I was aware that cilantro is an ingredient in many salsas. I was not aware they are the same thing!
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#284945 - 31/07/2006 12:42
Re: English vs American
[Re: tonyc]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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But coriander (the US version, namely the dried "seeds", which are actually fruit) and cilantro (the leaf) taste nothing like each other.
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Bitt Faulk
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#284946 - 31/07/2006 12:43
Re: English vs American
[Re: mlord]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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Quote:
Quote:
Because you're driving after you've had a drink.
Yup, more more sensible and truthful than the other way.
As long as you're willing to ignore the fact that "drink" is not an adjective.
_________________________
Bitt Faulk
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#284947 - 31/07/2006 12:55
Re: English vs American
[Re: AndrewT]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 13/07/2000
Posts: 4180
Loc: Cambridge, England
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Quote:
University - College
I've never quite got my head round the way US English uses "school" to refer to university education -- after all, high schools have "school" in the name, but universities all have "university" in the name. When a US parent says to me, "My son is thinking of going to school in England", is there a way of telling that the son means to attend a university, or is it actually ambiguous?
Peter
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#284948 - 31/07/2006 13:17
Re: English vs American
[Re: peter]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 19/01/2002
Posts: 3584
Loc: Columbus, OH
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Pretty much just by context, or the age of the kid. Kinda like you guys do with pepper.
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~ John
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#284949 - 31/07/2006 13:19
Re: English vs American
[Re: peter]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 2489
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Quote:
Quote:
University - College
I've never quite got my head round the way US English uses "school" to refer to university education -- after all, high schools have "school" in the name, but universities all have "university" in the name. When a US parent says to me, "My son is thinking of going to school in England", is there a way of telling that the son means to attend a university, or is it actually ambiguous?
So what about American universities? 'University of [insert place]' - the US has those, don't they? So when a US person says school would it not translate to our college?
I get mixed up between the US terms Junior High, High School, School, College and University. Someone explain!
Edit: And whle I'm posting...
Mobile phone - Cell Phone
Chocolate - Candy
Shopping Centre - Mall
Cellar - Basement
Also the types of cars - sedan etc.
Edited by Phil. (31/07/2006 13:24)
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#284950 - 31/07/2006 13:29
Re: English vs American
[Re: wfaulk]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12338
Loc: Sterling, VA
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Because you're driving after you've had a drink.
Yup, more more sensible and truthful than the other way.
As long as you're willing to ignore the fact that "drink" is not an adjective.
That's what bugs me about it. sn00p, if it were "drink-driving" as you wrote it, I think it would be a little better.
Besides, I'm not sure I agree with that reasoning. Aren't both terms used to describe when you are legally over the limit to drive? We're talking about an official level of "drunk," not how many drinks you tell people it takes to get you wasted.
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Matt
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#284951 - 31/07/2006 13:35
Re: English vs American
[Re: Dignan]
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addict
Registered: 24/07/2002
Posts: 618
Loc: South London
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Because you're driving after you've had a drink.
Yup, more more sensible and truthful than the other way.
As long as you're willing to ignore the fact that "drink" is not an adjective.
That's what bugs me about it. sn00p, if it were "drink-driving" as you wrote it, I think it would be a little better.
Besides, I'm not sure I agree with that reasoning. Aren't both terms used to describe when you are legally over the limit to drive? We're talking about an official level of "drunk," not how many drinks you tell people it takes to get you wasted.
Maybe you should have indicated that it was the incorrect use of grammar that bugged you, that wasn't how I read your post. I assume Mark also interpreted your post the same way as me.
And yes, it's drink-driving, but you didn't write that in your orginal post, I copied what you wrote verbatim.
I still believe drink-driving is a far more accurate term to describe the offence, but I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.
Edit: This sounds abrupt, sorry, not trying to be - but can't find the words to make it sound less so! Apologies in advance.
Edited by sn00p (31/07/2006 13:39)
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#284952 - 31/07/2006 14:02
Re: English vs American
[Re: wfaulk]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14491
Loc: Canada
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Because you're driving after you've had a drink.
Yup, more more sensible and truthful than the other way.
As long as you're willing to ignore the fact that "drink" is not an adjective.
No difference: drunk [EDIT]was originally not an adjective.
Cheers
Edited by mlord (31/07/2006 14:04)
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#284953 - 31/07/2006 14:13
Re: English vs American
[Re: Cybjorg]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31596
Loc: Seattle, WA
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What about the practice of dropping certain articles? I've always wondered about this:
UK: "He's in hospital" US: "He's in the hospital"
Isn't the latter actually correct English, even in England? When would you use one and not the other?
Speaking of words that start with H... What about the practice of treating H as if it were silent at the start of a word? Even extending to the choice of using "a" or "an" when placing the article before the word:
UK: "The dolphin will jump through an 'oop" US: "The dolphin will jump through a hoop"
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#284954 - 31/07/2006 14:17
Re: English vs American
[Re: sn00p]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12338
Loc: Sterling, VA
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No worries! I understand what you're saying. I guess we'll disagree then  But one last point: Quote:
And yes, it's drink-driving, but you didn't write that in your orginal post, I copied what you wrote verbatim.
I've never seen your version with the hyphen until I read your post. I've read a number of British news reports that have used the term often but never put a hyphen in it. So that's the official way to write it? In the US it's "drunk driving," without a hyphen.
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Matt
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#284955 - 31/07/2006 14:17
Re: English vs American
[Re: tfabris]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 2489
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Quote:
Speaking of words that start with H... What about the practice of treating H as if it were silent at the start of a word? Even extending to the choice of using "a" or "an" when placing the article before the word:
UK: "The dolphin will jump through an 'oop" US: "The dolphin will jump through a hoop"
I've never heard anyone ever do that over here. H's get pronounced just fine (in that example anyway). Edit: Unless its on Eastenders
Of course you're supposed to put an 'an' before a word beginning with H. e.g. 'An hotel' as if it begins with a vowel - but nobody ever does that.
The hospital one I'm unsure of - we've had that discussion on this bbs before though! I would say 'in hospital'.
Edited by Phil. (31/07/2006 14:19)
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#284957 - 31/07/2006 14:49
Re: English vs American
[Re: Robotic]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 14/01/2002
Posts: 2489
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Quote:
Dinner = Lunch
Tea = Dinner (lower class)
(High) Tea = ?? Afternoon cakes? (upper class)
This also varies depending where in the UK you are, and how old you are!
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#284958 - 31/07/2006 14:52
Re: English vs American
[Re: Robotic]
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addict
Registered: 24/07/2002
Posts: 618
Loc: South London
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
That's a 'well good' list there- you should be 'right chuffed'!
I think you've watched too much simpsons!
Eh? Simpsons?
I've been stuck in West Yorkshire for 5 weeks!
I'm 'nackered' and flying home tomorrow- "Chocks away, Ginger!"
It's the way you wrote it, I always read things like that in the style of the simpsons doing an english voice! They crack me up, I'm sure there are plenty of americans (and other people around the world) who think we actually talk like that! Anyway, tally-ho old chap, I'm off up the apples and pears!
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#284959 - 31/07/2006 14:53
Re: English vs American
[Re: CrackersMcCheese]
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old hand
Registered: 14/08/2001
Posts: 886
Loc: London, UK
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Braces = Suspenders
Which makes me wonder what you yanks call those things that girlies use to keep their tights up
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Rio Karma - now on ebay...
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