US: Snickers Bar
UK: Marathon Bar

At least that was the name 20+ years ago but I'll reconfirm in two weeks.

Nope, they re-branded in the UK a few years ago.

Bummer, I still have an old Marathon wrapper though...hmmm...I want another turn then...

US: Exit
UK: Way Out

How's that one?

UK: Tramp

US: Bum

Ricardo

UK: Bum

US: Fanny

Ricardo

US: Tramp

UK: Slut

Ricard

Nah Ricardo, we call them sluts here too, or "hos" to my kids.

UK: chat up
US: hit on

UK: Windscreen
US: Windshield

And of course, the various spelling differences (e.g., US tires, UK tyres), and pronunciation differences:
"Basil" = "Bay-sihl" in the US, "Bah-sehl" in the UK,
"Herbs" = "Erbs" in the US (H is silent), but "Herbs" in the UK (H is pronounced).

This is fun!

quote:

Teachick - I think the semantics, the explanations and the discussions are part of the fun.

To each his or her own. And I use "whilst" all the time (I'm sure I picked it up from my very English mother)! And as Diana has pointed out, so does Tony Blair.

Here's another go then:


UK: Snog
US: Kiss

"Suss" it out - UK
"Figure it out - US

"snog" is a slang word for a serious kiss (with tongue). Is there an American equivalent for snog?

UK: tap

US: fawcet

Where does "fawcet" come from? It isn't used at all over here.

Ricardo

It is "faucet".

That would be French kiss, Ricardo, or possibly "making out", as a process rather than an individual kiss.

Kiss just sounds better and it covers all kinds of kissing.

quote:

Originally posted by TimW:
Teachick - I think the semantics, the explanations and the discussions are part of the fun.

I agree with Tim! This way we can take a wild guess, and then find out if we are correct.

The 12 hour wait thing was stupid (my idea) - let's just post!! We will end up with a great list!!

quote:

Originally posted by Ricardo:
"snog" is a slang word for a serious kiss (with tongue). Is there an American equivalent for snog?
Ricardo

Some call it "mashing" here...

US: Vacation
UK: Holiday

quote:

That would be French kiss, Ricardo,

We use that too Maureen.

As for "snogging" and "mashing", why do we use such ugly terms for such a nice activity?

Ricardo

Okay, if part of the game is having things explained, then I need some help with this term.

UK: Bullocks
US: Balls (?)

or

UK: Bullocks
Us: **** (!)

I hear this all the time and in many different ways. I know the literal definition of the word bullock, but what does it really mean when you say it in the UK?

quote:

Originally posted by teachick:
Okay, if part of the game is having things explained, then I need some help with this term.

UK: Bullocks
US: Balls (?)

or

UK: Bullocks
Us: **** (!)

I hear this all the time and in many different ways. I know the literal definition of the word bullock, but what does it really mean when you say it in the UK?

When somebody says " thats a load of bullocks"! it mean bulls**t! Or you can call somebody a bullocks. Like A**hole.

We are moving into the slightly rude here.

The word "bullocks" is not used like this at all in the UK. But replace the U with an O and you have it. It then has the various meanings ascribed to it above.

It also has the useful purpose of expressing general annoyance as in "Oh B_____________"!

Not very rude really, you will often hear it on the TV after 9.30pm.

Ricardo

UK: Lemonade
US: Lemon-lime soda (i.e. 7-Up or Sprite)

The converse, according to Wikipedia:

US: Lemonade
UK: Bitter lemon is the closest thing, although it's carbonated.

In Britain, can you get what in French is a citron pressé, where you sit at a café and mix lemon juice, water, and sugar yourself?

About the toilet words, is it correct that the British likely won't understand "men's room" and "ladies' room"?

UK: Gutted
US: Heart broken

UK: Post a letter
US: Mail a Letter

UK: Gobsmacked
US: Speechless