US - UK Dictionary

[MMFAN]

That would be the same then. I can't really justify the word "bangs", but "fringe" sounds only marginally more logical.

[MMFAN]

From a recent posting I see a new entry:

"Takes the biscuit" ====> "Takes the cake" (at least the US one rhymes)

[wendy]

Well with all these "mistakes" being made, never ask for a rubber to rub them out. You'll get something very different, and probably some very funny looks. I'll leave you to work that one out!

[brianthebare]

I must remember to tell my daughter Sarah about the bum-bag translation. She will surely giggle if she is asked for it to be checked out!!

Thanks all for this v useful information.

Regards,
Brian.

[Rushton50]

more important ones here.

chips = crisps
silverware = cutlery
billfold = wallet
pocket book = handbag
cash register = till

[Anabella]

hi!
My main lenguage is spanish so I dont know if I am making a mistake here but dont you brits use lift for what americans use elevator?

Anabella

[blott]

We certainly do Anabella.

[Kissyme]

Once had a very strange 10 minutes in a shop when I asked for some napkins (serviettes) the shop assistant (young man about 17)looked very shy and with head down took me to the feminine hygene Isle !!! I thanked him and then decided to look for myself Its easy to forget that we all have different ways of saying the same thing.

[sjd]

Oh - I just had to say how much I loved reading this page. I laughed out loud. The same language with so many differences. I love it.
My dear friend just moved back to Australia after living in England two years and then upstate New York for two years. She was in one of our stores, and her three year old needed to urinate. She asked the clerk where the toilets were. And he gave her directions to the toilets. Right there in the middle of the aisle. Ready for purchase. She went to ask another clerk and they escorted her right back to the same place. Finally she was trying not to get upset, her son had to go *BAD* and she said "where can he pee!" The clerk was embarrassed. Oh, the bathroom. She was so flustered. They escorted her to our bathrooms. You'd NEVER bathe in those places. Why DO we call them that[:I]

[mikewj]

Returning, briefly, to the....erm....delicate predicament of the fanny/bum bag, we took my mother-in-law (presumabley translates correctly whichever side of the Atlantic you hale from) to Florida last November.

Whilst strapping her bum bag around her waist, I warned her that with heightened security levels, the guards would want to perform searches of bags and things.

Imagine her face (she's 68) when a security guard approached her with a baton in his hand asking if he could take a look in her fanny ! [:I]