25 English words that mean very different things in Britain and America
As the old adage famously goes: you say tom-MAY-toes, and I say tom-MAH-toes. We should probably call the whole thing off, right?
Ever since the might of the British Empire was expelled from the United States, ordinary folk from both sides of the pond have chuckled at each other's use of the English language and pronunciation.
Here are several important examples you need to remember - simply to make sure no one gives you a weird look when you're off on your holidays (or, um, "vacation").
1. A jumper
UK: A woollen pullover worn in the winter
US: Someone who commits suicide by leaping from a building or bridge
2. A rubber
UK: An eraser for a pencil
US: A condom
3. Nappy
UK: Something a baby wears (noun)
US: Frizzy or hairy (adjective)
4. The first floor
UK: The floor above the ground floor
US: The ground floor of a building
5. Blinkers
UK: Flaps attached to a race horse's face to restrict its vision
US: Indicators on a car
6. A casket
UK: Another word for jewellery box
US: Another word for coffin
7. Fancy dress
UK: Informal party wear, dressing up as a well-known character
US: Formal party wear, including ball gowns and black tie
8. A flapjack
UK: A flat oatmeal snack
US: A type of pancake
9. A geezer
UK: A gang member, tough guy
US: An old man
10. Homely
UK: Used to describe a comfortable, cosy house
US: Used to describe someone who is plain or ugly
11. A hoo-ha
UK: An argument or disagreement
US: Female genitalia
12. A moot point
UK: Something that is up for debate
US: Something that is irrelevant
13. Nervy
UK: Nervous or prone to fidget
US: Bold or confident
14. Peckish
UK: Slightly hungry
US: Irritable or angry
15. A run-in
UK: The end of a race
US: An argument or dispute
16. Shattered
UK: Exhausted
US: Emotionally devastated
17. Solicitor
UK: A legal representative
US: A door-to-door salesman
18. Through
(As in, "The shop is open through lunch")
UK: During (lunch hours)
US: Up until (lunch hours)
19. Trainer(s)
UK: Shoes
US: Person at the gym who trains you to work out
20. Pants
UK: Underwear
US: Trousers
21. Bird
UK: Colloquial term for woman
US: An animal
22. Bog
UK: Toilet
US: Like a swamp
23. Chips
(As in, "Can I have some chips with that burger?")
UK: Thin cut deep fried potato
US: Thinly sliced, deep fried, baked and kettle-cooked crunchy potatoes (crisps in the UK)
24. To give way
UK: To give the right of way (to vehicles, pedestrians)
US: To retreat
25. Shag
UK: Colloquial term for having sex
US: A type of carpet
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