Do You Speak Brit?
If you’re traveling to the UK, whether for business or pleasure, you might sometimes wonder if you’ve accidentally landed on another planet. We may all speak English, but it’s true that we’re divided by a common language. The trouble is, Brits just don’t speak American – and why should they? But if we want to make communication easier, there are some key differences you ought to know about.
Emergency Contacts
Let’s start at the beginning. Who do you call in case of emergency? Calling 911 won’t help you at all; if you’re in the UK, it’s 999 and don’t you forget it. Got a headache after your flight and need some Tylenol (officially acetaminophen)? Try asking for paracetamol – you can get it in any corner shop or chemist (which Americans know as a drugstore). That’s also a good place to get lip balm, which we’d call ChapStick. And when you stick your purchases in that case around your waist, don’t call it a fanny pack (fanny is UK slang for female genitals) but a bum bag.
Eating Out
When it comes to food, don’t bother asking for arugula unless you want puzzled stares. Try the more widely used rocket instead. And if you want cilantro, ask for coriander, which in the UK refers to the leaf and not just the seed. Replace that zucchini with a courgette and that eggplant with an aubergine, too. If you want your food to go, it won’t be wrapped in plastic wrap, but in cling film. Those with a sweet tooth can trade candy for sweets, candy apple for toffee apple and cotton candy for candy floss. And at the supermarket, you won’t find any carts – take a shopping trolley instead.
Your Rental Car
Want a stick shift as a rental? Then ask for a manual car and don’t forget to fill up with petrol (not gas). When you hit the road, Jack, you’ll be driving on the tarmac and not the blacktop and if you’re on foot, forget the boardwalk and take the promenade or leave the sidewalk behind in favor of the pavement. If you want to check out the big game, asking about football will get you news of the latest soccer scores. In England, you’ll have to swallow your pride and ask about American football.
Money Talk
Let’s talk money – in notes rather than bills, please. You can swap your dollars for pounds at the bureau de change (and not the currency exchange). Most people in Britain use the word cashpoint for ATM. Turning to the courts, where Americans have lawyers, the Brits have barristers and solicitors, which might come in handy when it’s time for business. Want to send out some business information? You will need the right postcode (not zipcode) and may have to send your packages by recorded delivery instead of certified mail. And don’t forget, if you’re going upstairs to your meeting room, you will be taking the lift and not the elevator.
There are dozens more examples of how Americans differ from the Brits. More on this here or for a quick ready reference check out this British-American translation tool on About.com. (Image: michal818)
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Tags: business travel, language, Travel Fun, uk travel
November 9th, 2011 at 10:03 am
That was fun, Sharon! Especially enjoyed the food references. Now you and I are better equipped to have our long-distance convos!
Tea Silvestre´s last post ..Just Say No to “Fast Food” Marketing: 10 Tips for Healthy Marketing on a Budget
November 9th, 2011 at 10:09 am
Fun to write, too, Tea.
I really am a word nerd, so this stuff fascinates me. And yes, our convos will be fab!
November 9th, 2011 at 11:34 am
Don’t forget the SATNav instead of the GPS! LOL
I live with a man who was schooled in England, so some of this is pretty darned familiar. The one I love is how you pronounce gooseberry.
November 9th, 2011 at 11:37 am
Some great tips you have here! I never knew the double meaning of fanny (yikes)! That would have been embarrassing.
Rachael Sena´s last post ..Police Reports & FBI Agents: A Tuesday in Buenos Aires
November 9th, 2011 at 11:50 am
That was funny Sharon- but I never knew of a “bum bag”!
Marcia
November 9th, 2011 at 11:55 am
What fun… makes me want to go… but I’m also sort of a word nerd.
Anne Wayman´s last post ..Staring Out The Window Is Good For Freelance Writers
November 9th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
Who knew you needed an English to English translation book when traveling?
Enjoyed this, Sharon.
Cathy Miller´s last post ..A Plugin By Any Other Name is Not the Same
November 9th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Must have been later on, Marcia.
November 9th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Thanks for reading, Cathy.
November 9th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Tell me about it, Rachael.
November 9th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Good addition, Lori – and there could be a whole other post around pronunciation.
November 9th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Word nerds of the world, unite, Anne.
November 10th, 2011 at 5:35 am
This would be great for those who just can’t seem to really find the time to keep writing great content or coming up with fresh ideas.
November 10th, 2011 at 7:01 am
[...] on from my last post on Brit-speak, here are some more helpful [...]
November 10th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
When I lived in HK I became great friends (still am!) with a Brit. It amazes me that English can be so different (and yes I fell into the fanny trap myself). I also learned that Brits don’t appreciate the American greeting of “What’s up?”.
Nicole Fende´s last post ..Escape From Land of the Lost (No Time Machine Required)
November 10th, 2011 at 9:58 pm
This made me smile. I love that there are differences. Sally
Sally Brown´s last post ..Let The Writing Begin – My 1st Novel!
November 11th, 2011 at 4:10 am
LOL, Nicole; I bet you soon learned to go for a dignified ‘how are you?’ or a relaxed ‘ok?’
November 11th, 2011 at 4:11 am
Glad you enjoyed it, Sally.
November 15th, 2011 at 11:58 am
Look for “A to Zed…” from Facts on File, a whole Brit-speak dictionary for Americans.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Looks like one I’ll enjoy, thanks, RD.
November 16th, 2011 at 7:27 am
lovely post. Postcode sounds so much more relevant than zipcode!
November 25th, 2011 at 3:22 am
If you hire a car you put your luggage (not baggage) in the boot (rather than trunk).
Alex Bramwell´s last post ..Breaking Gran Canaria news: Gas explosions injure tourists in Mogan
November 28th, 2011 at 5:53 am
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