American to English Translations.. [Archive]

Sue

05-05-2005, 11:45 AM

As promised in another thread , here are some things we have different words for. Excuse the rude ones but i'm sure you'll see the funny side.:funny:

AMERICAN .............ENGLISH
Get fired
(as in lose a job)... Get the Sack

Gas.... Petrol
Freeway..Motorway
Subway...Tube
Car Trunk.. Boot
Hood...Bonnet
Gear Shift..Gear Lever
Transmission.. Gearbox
Windshield.....Windscreen
Sidewalk..Pavement
Elevator...Lift

Zuchini....Courgette
Eggplant..Aubergine
Snow Peas..Mange Tout
Oatmeal... Porrige
Jelly.........Jam
Candy......Sweets
Cotton Candy...Candyfloss
French Fries...Chips
Cookies......Biscuits

Bangs.... Fringe
Pantyhose...Tights
Drug Store...Chemist
Purse...Handbag
Diaper..Nappy
Closet..Cupboard
Vacation..Holiday
Yard.......Garden

Co Worker...Colleague
Attourney....Solicitor

Here are the rude ones but I hope you'll see the funny side:funny:

Here Fanny is slang for a ladies "front bits" so if you ever come to England, NEVER ask for a Fanny Pack:o (Bum bag in England).

Here's an embarrasing moment I had, when I was at college we had an American exchange student, she was such a sweet kid. Anyway during a pattern cutting class I called out "anyone got a rubber I can borrow??":eek: She went the brightest red:o and looked at me in TOTAL HORROR:eek2: then i realised why.......:roflmao2: Over here it means PENCIL ERASER!!!!!!! :roflmao2: when I explained , we all had a good laugh about it.:rotflmao:

harleybaby

05-05-2005, 11:50 AM

ROFL!!!!!! That is soooooo funny!!!!!:roflmao2: Thanks Sue

Junkzoo

05-05-2005, 12:02 PM

LOL on the "rude" ones also Sue! Thanks!:thumbup:

Shirley

05-05-2005, 12:48 PM

vmtwriter

05-05-2005, 12:53 PM

Too funny. :rotflmao:I was just watching the second Bridget Jones movie last night. Great timing on the translation words! :)

Islandzoo

05-05-2005, 01:02 PM

Hehe I knew about the f word...someone told me before. How bizarre, I couldn't use that word in public!
it's a 'bum bag' over here. a thing of the 80's.

Islandzoo

05-05-2005, 01:03 PM

Oh and I always wondered what 'bangs' meant.

eeer whilst we're on this topic, what's 'chav' mean??? anyone know??

amazing greys

05-05-2005, 02:15 PM

:roflmao2: You guys are funny!!! hehehe :roflmao2:

"You guys" = Northern States comment on a collective group of individuals, not in reference to any particular gender.................roflol ;)

:D

Jean

05-05-2005, 04:57 PM

What a humor post!!! :roflmao2: Ok Sue, if a rubber is an eraser there what is a rubber there?:rofl::doh:

Junkzoo

05-05-2005, 05:08 PM

what is a rubber there?
Oh About 3 pounds, for ten,,,:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Forgive my lack of currency conversion knowledge,,,the joke works anyway,,i hope , LOL

Jean

05-05-2005, 05:15 PM

:roflmao2: :rotflmao: :rofl:

Sue

05-06-2005, 07:33 AM

My former Bro-in-law is married to a Londoner... she explained to me about fanny... I still can't get used to that one!!! as we so often use that for the back side here... so what do you call a "fanny pack"??

:rotflmao:

Also, your term "redundant" I'm not used to at all over here... I don't think we use that term here....for downsizing or laying off or early retirement....

Shirley, if you said fanny pack here you would get some very strange looks:funny: :roflmao2: They are bum bags here but are a bygone fashion here as Kristie said from the 80's

OK Redundancy/Being made redundant means your job no longer exists but as you've done nothing wrong you have to be paid compensation, there is a legal minimum set by the government but a lot of companies, Dave's included pay a lot more for loyalty, goodwill etc. This is called a "redundancy package"
and can often be a LOT of money, great if you get another job straight away:highfive:

Here early retirement just means you retire before the normal pension date but you don't get any extra payment other than you wages.

Being laid off, means the company doesn't have enough work for you but instead of you leaving, they lay you off with no pay until there is work and then you go back. This usually happens if it's a short term problem.
I would assume if they downsized the staff not required would get redundancy.

Sue

05-06-2005, 07:35 AM

Too funny. :rotflmao:I was just watching the second Bridget Jones movie last night. Great timing on the translation words! :)

I loved BJ, haven't seen the second one yet:foot-tap:

Shirley

05-06-2005, 02:56 PM

The 2nd one's even better!

Sue

05-07-2005, 10:18 AM

What a humor post!!! :roflmao2: Ok Sue, if a rubber is an eraser there what is a rubber there?:rofl::doh:

A Condom:funny:

Sue

05-07-2005, 10:19 AM

Oh About 3 pounds, for ten,,,:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Forgive my lack of currency conversion knowledge,,,the joke works anyway,,i hope , LOL

:roflmao2: :roflmao2: :roflmao2: :roflmao2: :rotflmao:

Jean

05-07-2005, 01:14 PM

Sue, We share that name here too. :roflmao2: :rofl: When I said rubber I could of meant rubber band? :roflmao2: :roflmao2: :rofl:

Sue

05-08-2005, 05:43 AM

Sue, We share that name here too. :roflmao2: :rofl: When I said rubber I could of meant rubber band? :roflmao2: :roflmao2: :rofl:

Oh no, you would have said rubber band:roflmao2: :roflmao2: :roflmao2:

Islandzoo

05-09-2005, 03:39 PM

Isn't that an elastic band?

Do you guys drink tea, with milk? or is that an english thing too?

Jean

05-09-2005, 04:21 PM

Kristi, it is not customary to drink our tea with milk here. It is either plain, sugar, artificial sweetener, lemon, or mint added. We drink it mostly iced, hot is a secondary choice because of the billions of coffee drinkers.

Majj

05-09-2005, 10:21 PM

AMERICAN .............ENGLISH......Oz...
Get fired
(as in lose a job)... Get the Sack...same as U.K

Gas.... Petrol....same U.K
Freeway..Motorway...EXPRESSWAY
Subway...Tube.......Train
Car Trunk.. Boot.....same as U.K
Hood...Bonnet..........Hood or Bonnet
Gear Shift..Gear Lever.....Gear Stick
Transmission.. Gearbox...same U.K
Windshield.....Windscreen...either
Sidewalk..Pavement..FOOT PATH
Elevator...Lift....either

Zuchini....Courgette......same USA
Eggplant..Aubergine......Same USA
Snow Peas..Mange Tout..Same USA
Oatmeal... Porrige.......same U.K
Jelly.........Jam........same U.K
Candy......Sweets......Lollies
Cotton Candy...Candyfloss...FAIRY FLOSS
French Fries...Chips....CHIPS
Cookies......Biscuits...Same as Uk

Bangs.... Fringe....same as U.K
Pantyhose...Tights....Same USA
Drug Store...Chemist..Same U.K
Purse...Handbag....Same USA
Diaper..Nappy...same U.K
Closet..Cupboard...same U.K
Vacation..Holiday....same Uk
Yard.......Garden...same UK

Co Worker...Colleague....either
Attourney....Solicitor....either

I have others but have to go will be back tonight.....:wavey:

Majj

05-10-2005, 08:25 AM

MMMmmmmmmmm I was going to edit my previous post but can`t find an edit button...I must be tired or crazy or a bit of both I was sure we could edit ....
any way...
we also call our ; Ozzie Talk..

Co-Workers .............Work mates...

Sweaters................Jumpers

Mall........................Shops or Shopping Centers

Jello........................ Jelly

Sofa....................... Lounge

Soda......................Soft Drink

Sweats...................Track-Suits

Yams......................Sweet Potato`s

I am sure there are more but can`t think of them right now .....Nighty Night from Oz , Have a Good Day all........:wavey:

P.S I found the edit button on this message but not on the previous one:scratchch ..is some-one playing a trick on me..????:shrug2: :rotflmao:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v373/Maj/Gifs%20and%20siggys/HardDay-LMG3.gif

Islandzoo

05-10-2005, 08:37 AM

oh oh, if I ever get to go to the states - I can't do with cups of tea - with milk!
I suppose you get weird looks if you ask for milk - i take it the tea is the same tea though!

Sorry Kristi, I replied to your post by error and hitting edit. Will reply again in the proper place.

Majj

05-10-2005, 08:43 AM

Me too kristie ..I drink herbal tea (green) black naturally but my normal tea is with milk.....:shrug2:

I thought of another word we differ in too..:wavey:
.........................OZZIE LINGO
DUVET.....................Doona

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v373/Maj/Gifs%20and%20siggys/Somebunnys-LMG3.gif

Sue

05-10-2005, 08:48 AM

Majj, how interesting that there is about the same split of UK & US words in yuor country. We use a lot of the same words too as we have different words for the same thing, i.e sweater, jumper, pullover, jersey all the same thing.
One strange one you mentioned.... sofa/lounge:confused:

Here a sofa can also be a setee, as in something to sit on but a lounge is the ACTUAL ROOM you would put it in:roflmao2:

Majj

05-10-2005, 09:10 PM

Strange isn`t it ...well we can call our Lounge /sofa or settee or Divan also but the commonly used word is Lounge ...which we also keep in the Lounge-room...:shrug2: :rotflmao:I think another used in the USA is SHOP...don`t they use that instead of our GARAGE....I have heard someone talk about having ashop out the back of their house when I questioned this they discribed a shed or Garage where the men kept their toys .....:shrug2: :roflmao2: STRANGE....

I am going to the SHOP now to get some groceries....:p we can call it the grocery store or supermarket but most everyones says we are off to the shops for any sort of shopping guess its the lazy way ...:scratchch :wavey:

Sue

05-11-2005, 05:23 AM

We say "off to the shops" here too Majj.
I just thought of another one...

English, Toilet Aus... Dunny:roflmao2:

Majj

05-11-2005, 08:20 AM

:roflmao2: :roflmao2: No wrong Sue ...I say I`m off to the " LOO "..:rotflmao: Its just the Bushmen that say DUNNY....:beerchug:

Sue

05-11-2005, 10:47 AM

OOPPS!!! sorry Majj:roflmao2:

I say Loo too:funny:

What do you call mobile phones?, the US say cell phone:foot-tap:

Majj

05-12-2005, 02:36 AM

:funny: WELL............. MOBILE PHONES SILLY....:roflmao2: :woot: :wavey:

Islandzoo

05-12-2005, 03:26 AM

Majj maybe they mean shop short for workshop -

Now In Tesco they sell Yams - and sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are orange in the middle and yams are white like normal potatoes. they're both the same shape.

Sue

05-12-2005, 06:27 AM

:funny: WELL............. MOBILE PHONES SILLY....:roflmao2: :woot: :wavey:

:roflmao2: :roflmao2: :roflmao2: :roflmao2: :roflmao2:

Majj

05-18-2005, 08:54 AM

I just thought of another ...

Diaper ( I think American) ............Nappy Down Under...

Have a good day ..Nighty Night from meeeeeeeeeeeeee

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v373/Maj/Gifs%20and%20siggys/GetWellCard-DolphinFantasies.jpg

Sue

05-18-2005, 10:32 AM

That was in the original list... nappy, same as here. Both silly words imo:rotflmao: :roflmao2:

Islandzoo

05-18-2005, 10:53 AM

yes what about calling them piddle pants :rofl:

Majj

05-19-2005, 12:31 AM

:ohmy: Piddle pants..ROFLMBO....:funny: :rotflmao: :roflmao2: I love it...:wavey:

Jean

05-19-2005, 01:05 AM

Now In Tesco they sell Yams - and sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are orange in the middle and yams are white like normal potatoes. they're both the same shape.

We also have yams here and sweet potatoes here they look and taste a little similar excepy, the lighter center. I believe they are of the same vegetable family. Do you have yams there?

Sue

05-19-2005, 08:43 AM

Piddle Pants:roflmao2: :roflmao2: :roflmao2: :roflmao2: Kristie you're so funny.:funny:

:agree: Yes Jean we do have Yams here but they're not widely available.

Do you have Parsnips and Turnips??

Jean

05-19-2005, 10:16 PM

Piddle Pants:roflmao2: :roflmao2: :roflmao2: :roflmao2: Kristie you're so funny.:funny:

:agree: Yes Jean we do have Yams here but they're not widely available.

Do you have Parsnips and Turnips??

Yes Sue, we have Parsnips and Turnips both here in our larger supermarkets. Just think, one more, for common wording. :rotflmao:

Jean

05-19-2005, 10:22 PM

Majj maybe they mean shop short for workshop -

A workshop here is usually referred to as a shop an individual has in their back yard or attached to (or) a room within their garage that they set up as a workshop (AKA) as a small business workshop.

Sue

05-20-2005, 06:26 AM

Do you have garden sheds:confused:

Islandzoo

05-20-2005, 08:13 AM

sure they must do! everyone has garden sheds...don't they?
what else could you possibly call it?

Jean

05-20-2005, 02:47 PM

:scratchch , It is not as commonly called a GARDEN SHED. We have many sizes of sheds small, maybe a 6ftX6ft to medium sized shed maybe, an 8ft X10 ft. Some even have a larger size then that. Some are portable, meaning movable and some are built stable. It's most common name is a STORAGE SHED, I have also heard it called a SHED. It may house garden equipment, bicycles, or spare household or storage items. We often view it a more versatile shed.:shrug2:

suzyque

12-22-2005, 03:55 PM

This is the Gospel Truth

Hi.............just found this thread..............We have some friends that are South African. We were at their house talking computers some time back and Dave (the man of the house) started talking about a stiffie. Jeff and I nearly fell on the floor laughing:roflmao2: but poor old Dave had no idea what we were laughing about. When we picked ourselves we explained to him. He then went very red in the face:o and showed us what HE was talking about. A floppy disk would you believe. Apparently when they were first used in S.A they didn't have the outer casing on that they have now and that was what they were refered to as. Anyway we got it sorted out in the end but I still have a giggle when I think about it :rotflmao:

Liz

12-22-2005, 05:32 PM

:funny: I'm an American woman married to an Australian man... so I "live there" every day. I have learned what the "bonnet" and "boot" of a car are, and never, ever to "root for my team" when we are in AU.

Peace reigns in our house UNTIL we discuss the correct pronunciation of:
basil
:roflmao2:

Sue

12-23-2005, 05:33 AM

parrotgirl

12-23-2005, 02:41 PM

This is even funnier the second time round.
This is the Gospel Truth

Hi.............just found this thread..............We have some friends that are South African. We were at their house talking computers some time back and Dave (the man of the house) started talking about a stiffie. Jeff and I nearly fell on the floor laughing:roflmao2: but poor old Dave had no idea what we were laughing about. When we picked ourselves we explained to him. He then went very red in the face:o and showed us what HE was talking about. A floppy disk would you believe. Apparently when they were first used in S.A they didn't have the outer casing on that they have now and that was what they were refered to as. Anyway we got it sorted out in the end but I still have a giggle when I think about it :rotflmao:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: OMG that is just tooooooooo funny.
I think we are going to have to find out more of these different meanings from across the seas, What a laugh.