Bed Head. North America vs The Commonwealth

[gsdx]

^^ Indeed, it is very real.

 

[just_mills]

Nice. Got to admit, that's a pretty funny title. My friends would prolly buy that just cos its called "homo".
Yes, they/we are immature..

I dont think I could ever see that being sold over here!

 

[gsdx]

It comes in bags, too. Three plastic bags in each large bag, totally 4 litres.

 

[just_mills]

Sorry gsdx, dont mean to sound offensive with my previous posts! (if I have been)
It really is facinating, how words can be used in such different ways across the world!

 

[numerobis]

I think that the commonwealth is not an unify linguistic group of nations, Jamaica, Australia, South Africa, etc… Each one has his own variation of English regarding its accent, use of words and regionalism. So I think it would not be proper to say The USA vs. the commonwealth, as they are many variations of English as English speaking nations exist.

 

[gsdx]

Sorry gsdx, dont mean to sound offensive with my previous posts! (if I have been)

I hadn't noticed anything offensive. Your reaction was pretty normal whenever I show that photo to people who have never seen it before.

 

[_AJ_]

I think that the commonwealth is not an unify linguistic group of nations, Jamaica, Australia, South Africa, etc… Each one has his own variation of English regarding its accent, use of words and regionalism. So I think it would not be proper to say The USA vs. the commonwealth, as they are many variations of English as English speaking nations exist.

i think that australia south africa and NZ tend to talk more like the poms than the yanks

americans spell car tyre tire
and aluminium aluminum which leads them to say it wrong

 

[theFallenGod]

ok as a newly arrived Canadian I have to admit to not being all that confused with the way things are said up here...its the spelling that gets me... such as neighbourhood, colour, and flavour... that added u... but i have to admit... for a country thats doesn't use the imperial measurement system ( which only americans use) why is a 25 cent piece still called a quarter?

 

[NedNickerson]

What about biscuits and cookies:

Biscuits in North America, light puffy unsweetened scone-like bun, often served with gravy, regionally popular, ‘biscuits and gravy’...

Biscuits in England, I'm not sure if they're like cookies, or shortbread, or crackers... or all three...?

Jam, jelly, preserves, and marmalade...? Is there any other flavor of marmalade other than orange?

And I don't think I've ever seen lemon curd for sale in any grocery store in the United States...

North America: Bathroom

England: Loo, WC (water closet)

 

[just_mills]

England: Loo, WC (water closet)[/SIZE]

Bathroom, Toilet, Bog also ^

Infact, Ive never called it the loo or a WC.
WC is french really..

 

[slobone]

I know what you mean, but these are different words for the same thing. I was thinking more along the lines of different things for the same words, like the cigarette 'fag' and the homosexual 'fag'.

Even here in Canada, when someone says the word 'homo', chances are they're talking about milk.

Are you sure that isn't just what they tell you when they realize you've overheard them?

Although, I remember now, we have one brand of milk sold here locally that has the type printed on the top of the cap. SKIM and, you guessed it, HOMO. I feel a little awkward buying it.

OK then, same word, different things:

chips
vest
pants
bonnet
boot
public school
prep school
college
pint (if you want to be technical)
first floor
mate
shag
knickers
yard
garden
rubber

that should be enough for now...

 

[slobone]

Jam, jelly, preserves, and marmalade...? Is there any other flavor of marmalade other than orange?

And I don't think I've ever seen lemon curd for sale in any grocery store in the United States...

Sure, I've seen lemon curd here many times. Only tried it once though, that was enough. Ginger marmalade & I think even lime marmalade. Usually Brit imports, though from -- Fortnum & Mason? Can't remember the brand. Not Callard & Browser, that's candy.

Not to mention Walker's Scotch Shortbread, yum yum, & Twining's tea. You can even find vegemite & Bovril if you look hard enough (I'm told).

 

[gsdx]

for a country thats doesn't use the imperial measurement system ( which only americans use) why is a 25 cent piece still called a quarter?

Going metric didn't make the 25¢ piece any less a 'quarter of a dollar'.

 

[blackbeltninja]

What about biscuits and cookies:

Biscuits in North America, light puffy unsweetened scone-like bun, often served with gravy, regionally popular, ‘biscuits and gravy’...

Biscuits in England, I'm not sure if they're like cookies, or shortbread, or crackers... or all three...?

Jam, jelly, preserves, and marmalade...? Is there any other flavor of marmalade other than orange?

Here in .za we use biscuit to describe any small hard baked item (hard as in unlike a muffin or cake) which you guys would call a cookie (sweet) or cracker (savoury). And in Cape Town back in the day, "biscuit" also was the highest word of praise you could receive from a friend, although I'm not sure why and you rarely here it these days... used as in:
"Here, I made you some coffee." "You biscuit! Thanks a lot." et cetera

As for marmalade, I always assumed it to be orange jam. These days, though, it's used for just about anything preservey - onion and chilli marmalade is a rather tasty example.

-d-

 

[dynk]

Sure, I've seen lemon curd here many times. Only tried it once though, that was enough. Ginger marmalade & I think even lime marmalade. Usually Brit imports, though from -- Fortnum & Mason? Can't remember the brand. Not Callard & Browser, that's candy.

Not to mention Walker's Scotch Shortbread, yum yum, & Twining's tea. You can even find vegemite & Bovril if you look hard enough (I'm told).

We have pineapple, orange, appricot marmalade here.

 

[TriBi]

Americans don't speak English - they speak American.

Australians don't speak English - they speak Australian.

Canadians don't speak English - they speak Canadian.

They all have their different (and interesting) nuances.

It's all good!

 

[trawler69]

I recall having an American over for training in the uk. He cut his finger and was horrified when we offerd him a plaster (Band Aid), he thought we were going to cement his figer, then we asked him if he wanted to come out for a Fag (cigatette) "You're joking right? I'm married and not like that". What must have been going through his mind? The sign that said "mind the step" prompted "what's wrong with it?"
Just a few I recall

 

[trawler69]

North America: Bathroom

England: Loo, WC (water closet)

So in UK toilet, loo bog etc. But how do Americans differentiate from a room with just a toilet bowl and sink and one with a bath / shower as well? Just curious.

Also amuses me when I hear a phrase such as "I'm going to fix some hamburgers" My instant thought is "why? what's wrong with them?"

 

[dpnice]

In American, the vest is the item in the three piece suit that is worn under the suit jacket and above the dress shirt; buttons up the front; has no sleeves

And in English it is called a "waistcoat".

 

[dpnice]

We all know what "faggots" are in America.

But in England they are juicy meat balls floating in thick gravy.