101 different ways to say the same thing.

[Thomzo]

Given the international nature of this forum, confusion can sometimes crop up in the use of English. I thought it might be useful to have simple translations of any words or phrases that might have different meanings in different countries.

I'll start off with one that cropped up on the thread about recycled clothing (translation courtesy of Annpan - thanks Annpan).

Fanny packs (Canadian) = Bum bags (UK)

Others I'm aware of (and correct me if I get these wrong):

Thongs (Aus) = flip flops (UK)
Fawcet (US) = tap (UK)
Diaper (US) = nappy (UK)


Zoe

[Annpan]

oh shucks

heres some more

Wet back (Aus/NZ) - Backboiler (UK)
Sneakers(US) - Trainers (UK)

I'll be back when I think of more (though I am moving tommorrow so probably should get busy doing something else )

[Annpan]

Back already

Pantyhoes (US) - Tights (UK)
Pants (US) - Trousers (UK)
Pantys (US) - Pants (UK)

[Thomzo]

Good luck with the move.

I always keep a box specially for essential items, like kettle, tea bags, tea spoons, mugs, milk, loo rolls, spare light bulbs, a pair of scissors and the two most important items... a bottle of wine and a cork screw!

Zoe

[Annpan]

Thank-you

done already, I just have all the junk left to pack... you know the difficult "where does this actually belong" stuff, we are doing the move ourselves over a few days, so fingers crossed it will all run smoothly. I may not be on here for a while and I am missing it already

[the.fee.fairy]

Back already

Pantyhoes (US) - Tights (UK)
Pants (US) - Trousers (UK)
Pantys (US) - Pants (UK)

To expand -

Panties (US) - knickers (UK)

[Millymollymandy]

Yard (Aus, NZ, US, prob Canada?) = Garden (UK)
Garden (ditto) = Flower bed (UK)

Good idea of yours Thomzo!

[Muddypause]

Thongs (Aus) = flip flops (UK)

I had a most alarming discussion with Boots a while back that involved just this misunderstanding.

[the.fee.fairy]

Dirt (US, don't know whether this is AUS and NZ as well?) - soil (UK)

[Thomzo]

Car Boot (UK) - Trunk (US)

[the.fee.fairy]

that one reminds me -
Charity shop (UK) - thrift store (US)
boot sale (UK) - garage/yard sale (US) *i know that technically they're slightly different, in that we will travel with our junk to a boot sale, but in essence, its the same thng - people selling their old rubbish!*

[Annpan]

Turnip (Scotland) - Swede (England, and everywhere else I think) big purple and yellow skinned root with yellow/orange flesh... incase we were still all confused.

[Wombat]

Dirt (US, don't know whether this is AUS and NZ as well?) - soil (UK)

Actually both are accepted here.

Probably a symptom of the erosion of what little culture we have by US TV and Corporate giants (you want fries with that? No you moron, we call them CHIPS!)

Nev

[Millymollymandy]

That reminds me......

French Fries (US) = Chips (UK) = Hot Chips (NZ) = Pomme Frites (France)

Chips (NZ) = Crisps (UK)

Don't you call them Hot Chips Nev?

[Milims]

Thanks for clearing up the turnip thing - its confused me for years - I'd always called it turnip and thought that the purple topped thing that you buy in the supermarket was something entirely different!!!! But then this is me who thought that "vashkiri" was a special french cheese until I discovered that its only laughing cow and my mother was speaking french!!!
From the great Japer Carrott....
Durex (Auz) - Sellotape (UK) - great way to smuggle it into Ireland tho!! lol.