Isn't language fun! I've just been over to visit Terra Garden where she has been giggling over "pootling" and "faffing" both of which words are very familiar this side of the Atlantic but apparently not yon side of it.
I love the richness and diversity of English wherever she is spoke! The classic is of course that a man going out in the USA in vest and pants would, I believe, look quite respectable whereas here he would raise a few eyebrows especially if he were wearing suspenders as well. A President can be called Trump in the USA but the word has a very unfortunate slang meaning here.
I had a batch cooking session last week and I made ratatouille using courgettes from the garden and an aubergine I was given but over the pond I would have had to use zucchini and egg plant for the same dish. Swede and carrot would have involved the use of rutabaga to go with the carrot. Bubble and squeak is commonplace here but when I mentioned it previously a couple of American readers didn't know that it could be eaten.
Come on - can you highlight a few fun differences?
Well "Johnson" has an unfortunate slang meaning over there, for starters! And if an American goes out in his vest and pants, that's his waistcoat and trousers, here it is his underwear. "pie and chips" means meat pie and fried potatoes to me, apple pie and crisps to my friend in Washington...We had a neighbour who came over here with his job, and his wife (mid 50s) had never left Illinois before. She really struggled with the language, and frequently came round to ask for help with translation. Anyway, must stop piffling and get a wriggle on... Lovely post to start my day, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks - didn't know about Johnson! It would appear that currently the names of each head of government give rise to amusement to the other nation!
DeleteThat made me smile, such fun.
ReplyDeleteBiscuits...scones!
ReplyDeleteOh and jelly / jam.
ReplyDeletePants over here (Canada) refers to trousers not underwear. Fanny is just a fun word for your rear end - but it's quite rude over on your side of the pond.
ReplyDeleteThe boot of your car is the trunk of ours - lorry is a girl's name not a truck and using the word faggot is just a really serious NO NO!
Pants are trousers as Margie says, shorts can be men's under garments, or short trousers. Ladies undergarments are called panties, or underwear. The language changes across Canada and from province to province.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I love collecting words, as you know. Someone recently mentioned that the American word sweaters has an unpleasant ring to it, and I see what she means. Wearing a sweater? Doesn't sound nice. I understand they are called jumpers in the UK which is a nicer word, I wonder how they came to be called jumpers. Spotted Dick on menus in the UK made this American blush when she read it and I think aubergine is called eggplant in the US.
ReplyDeleteWe would say sweater or jumper equally. You are right about aubergine/eggplant. And Spotted Dick causes mirth here too!
DeleteJumper comes from old French 'jupe' meaning short coat. Nothing to do with leaping about
ReplyDelete