US - UK Dictionary

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

To start us off:

sidewalk = pavement
restrooms = toilets
trunk = boot
hood = bonnett
faucet = tap
soda = pop
tot lot = childrens playground
fender = bumper
shingles = roof tiles (not sure how much use this is)
chips = cripss
french fries = chips
jelly = jam
zucchini = courgette
semi = articulated lorry
rv = mini van (recreational vehicle)
wrench = spanner
trash = rubbish
trashcan = rubbish bin
hot tub = jacuzzi
tub = bath

country = K92FM (Orlando radio station - you'll get the joke if you have ever listened to the station).

John & Sarah Rooke
Orlando Villas

[esprit]

OK here goes
crib- cot
diaper- nappy
closet- cupboard
panties - knickers
pants- trousers
sneakers-trainers
panti-hose -tights
butt- bum
fanny- bottom
jocks - Y-fronts
server-waiter/waitress
gratuity- tip
jello-jelly
swap meet- car boot sale
yard- garden/lawn
Any more for any more???


Julie Carty

[orlandobabe]

I do know if you offer to 'knock someone up' in the morning-they take a very dim view of it-as their interpretation of it is you'll get them pregnant!

Some hope!



Orlandobabe

[esprit]

And making out and fooling around mean a bit more than they do in the UK also!!

Julie Carty

[esprit]

I got three americanisms in a row in one villa rental enquiry. They asked what community the villa is in ( estate is it on), whether it had a sleeper sofa( bed settee) and a grill ( barbeque).

Julie Carty

[MMFAN]

I always try to reply to the UK enquiries (as opposed to inquiries) in British English instead of my native American. I am sure I mix things up though. I didn't know that sleeper-sofa didn't translate. But I'm OK on the boot and bonnet stuff. Now could you get everyone to drive on the right (as in correct) side of the road? I've had more than one late night surprise coming at me on 192.

[esprit]

Nice to meet an American on the forum which is dominated by us Brits. I answer my US inquiries in American so perhaps we should swap. By the way I thought you were Welsh because your user name looks like a Welsh name. I clicked on your profile and now I understand it. I also love your email address!!!

Julie Carty

[greenhalgh]

MMFAN I sympathise with you I am a lancashire lass Living in Florida
I get totally confused when answering enquiries -inquiries and asking for a check-cheque even my e mail`s spelling checker is confused !!

sue greenhalgh

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

Going off topic slightly, but we always have great fun when we are at out villa using our US computer as certain keys are in a different place or just do not exist on a US keyboard (e.g. try getting the £ symbol - we have to use the words 'pounds' in any enquiries for the villa we reply to from the US).

John & Sarah

John & Sarah Rooke
Orlando Villas

[orlandobabe]

For me the big American-English language problem is not so much the odd words that we use that are different


-it's the way we both phrase things.

I think the English say things in a very long winded kind of way-and the Americans use a shorter version-so that if you get into a shop and say to someone-who quite possibly doesn't have English as their first language-american or otherwise
'Excuse me-can you tell me where you keep your travel cots please?
for example.

This caused huge mayhem at KMart on one occasion-and I left feeling quite frustrated and with no travel cot!

I now try to keep it short and snappy-but old habits die hard.

Orlandobabe