I’ve been sitting on this for a while and adding to it slowly, but I figure it’s about time to post it: a list of British phrases translated to American terms, heh. Enjoy:
pants = underwear (underpants)
trousers = pants
trainers = sneakers
boots = cleats (usually soccer)
wellingtons/wellies = mud boots
boot = trunk of a car
football = soccer
engaged = busy (as in a telephone line) or occupied (as in a restroom)
to ring someone = to call someone
loo/W.C./toilet = restroom/bathroom
tube/underground = subway
chips = french fries
crisps = chips
cheers = mostly used for “thanks,” they just say it a lot in general
ta = thanks
it’s alright = you’re welcome
you alright? = how are you?
plaster = band-aid
dodgy = sketchy
torch = flashlight
bacon = canadian bacon? sort of? dunno…
streaky bacon = real bacon
petrol = gasoline
match = game (i.e. soccer game)
well + adjective = very + adjective
lie in = sleep in
fit = cute
bird = chick
bloke = guy
mobile (phone) = cell (phone)
rubbish = garbage/trash
bollocks = crap
thick = dense/stupid
hoover = vacuum
zed = z (i.e. how they pronounce the letter)
trolley = shopping cart
lorrey = truck/tractor trailer
car park = parking lot
poof = a gay guy
camp = effeminate
knackered = tired
to take the piss/mick (out of someone or something) = to mock/make fun (of someone or something)
wicked = awesome/cool/etc
mint = sweet/cool/etc
post = mail
to skive = to skip/cut (i.e. class, work)
everything’s gone pear-shaped = everything’s gone downhill/gone to pot
dinner = lunch
tea = dinner
to blag = to BS
parcel = package
to nick something = to swipe/steal something
to whinge = to whine/complain
to get/be pissed = to get/be drunk
take-away = delivery (food)
a brew = a cup of tea
queue = line (of people)
Some things, like the pants = underwear and dinner/tea = lunch/dinner, aren’t true for everyone, but they are for a lot of people — it depends where they come from and what they call those things at home. The pants thing still throws me off — I keep forgetting to say trousers for pants and keep having people think I mean underwear. Just imagine someone constantly saying “underwear” when they really mean pants. The results are amusing.
Tags: Heavy Things, Life
lorry = truck (lorrey is a misspelling)
bonnet = hood (of a car)
bonnet = fancy hat (usually on a woman)
hood = loose head covering attached to a cloak
hood = gangster
car = automobile
carriage = car (railway)
rubber = pencil eraser (ie not a condom)
poof = a gay guy (as you listed)
pouf/pouffe = big cushion used as seat on the floor (pronounced poof)
poof = gone (verbalisation of the action of vanishing)
policeman = cop
fuzz/the fuzz = cop
pig/the pigs = cop (derogatory)
bill/old bill = cop
bill = check (as in restaurants)
bumper = fender (automobile)
Fender = guitar (trademark)
sloshed = to get or be drunk
hooker = player at the centre of a rugby scrum (not a prostitute)
yard = an Imperial unit of measure
chokey = prison
banged up = to be put into prison
bang to rights = caught red-handed
bank holiday = national holiday
char = tea (as in cup of tea)
char = houseworker (usually a female term as in charwoman)
Wicked, thanks! We do say quite a few of those in the U.S., though, like hood (both meanings), car, policeman, fuzz, bill (check), bumper, Fender, and yard.
you forgot to mention bogroll! no i will not forget it, its too funny! ;P “what’s bogroll?” lol!
very important lesson, you dont wanna be sittin at dinner with us and ask what bogroll is! heh, better off askin someone when they by themselves.
…then again, it took me a minute to remember what a diaper was.
Doh, you’re right, I did forget! There are a few others that I just keep forgetting because I’ll hear them and think “I need to write that down,” but then when I finally get back to my room I’ve forgotten. :(
you forget because you’re trashed…