THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

I know the following.

British words = American words

Mate = friend
Lift = elevator
Bonnet = hood of a car
Boot = the trunk of a car
Loo = toilet
Chap=Fellow

What are other British words that would equal American words?

Rubber = eraser
Jumper = sweater

Pavement = sidewalk
barrister = lawyer
flat = apartment
banger = sausage
dust bin = garbage can
pram = baby carriage

This is wonderful Gerald. I do editing and always find this funny. The spelling will invariably be wrong in one country or another too. :)

saloon = sedan
estate = hatch back (or is this Aussie)
film = movie (sign of age)
wireless = radio
pavement = sidewalk
taxi = cab
rubber = eraser (rubber in the UK can also mean something else . . .)
chemist = pharmacy
route (UK is root) = route (US is row-oot)
although root has a similar meaning in both countries, as in the bottom of a tree – wash your mind out!
lamp post = street lamp
tap = faucet
handbag = purse
purse = wallet (I think)
wallet = billfold ? or is this a money clip
biro = ballpoint - although biro is French, not British
shifting spanner = monkey wrench or is this the other way around?

or as Mr Shaw said or was it Mr Churchill or some say Oscar Wilde - the UK & the USA are two countries separated by a common language :-o)

theatre - theater
centre - centre
metre - meter = Many many of these -re endings change to -er in US English
tyre - tire
Now some Australian ones:
Multitudinous words for toilet
Australia pretty much copies UK English, although our slang may differ.
AU footpath = pavement = sidewalk
UK and AU English always doubles the consonant before the ending -ing, e.g. travelling, also as in a noun traveller. In US it's invariably traveling, traveler.
My favourite is Randy - I have to stop myself laughing when and if someone says their name is Randy or Woody ;) Not so much having a dirty mind, just the way it is with slang.
Oh - also AU and UK use colour rather than US color. I think US spelling is easier. (ducks)

Ooh, ooh, I know one!

Headmaster/headmistress = principal (of a school)[I think]

More Differences between UK & American English

1) Legless/pissed = drunk
2) Thick = dumb/not terribly bright
3) Gobsmacked = surprised
4) Snogging = making out (i.e. kissing and embracing)
5) Wicked = cool

biscuit = cookie

Karolina wrote: "theatre - theater
centre - centre
metre - meter = Many many of these -re endings change to -er in US English
tyre - tire
Now some Australian ones:
Multitudinous words for toilet
Australia pre..."

With a name like mine I've been everybody's Woody since I was five years old. :-o)

UK English vis-a-vis American English

1) Shambolic = disorderly, chaotic
2) Shagging = having sex
3) Bird = girlfriend

I just love this thread and had to contribute.

skip - dumpster
pavement - sidewalk
shopping trolley - shopping cart
democracy - whatever suits US foreign policy (okay that one doesn't quite work)

back garden = back yard
front garden = front yard

ground floor = first floor
first floor = second floor

And I don't know if this is still in the vernacular. But my British friend use to say she would knock me up and it meant call me. And trunk call = long distance call.

Sonia wrote: "barrister = lawyer"

Ah, but only if that's the lawyer who is arguing before the bar. The family lawyer who handles will and such is the solicitor. :-)

Some not already mentioned:

Bird - pretty girl
Bint - unattractive girl
Sticking plaster - Band-Aid
Bandage - gauze
Digestive biscuit - Graham cracker
Tights - panty-hose
Petticoat - slip
Jumper - pullover sweater
Trainers (Alternately, plimsoles) - sneakers/tennis shoes
Skivvies - underwear
Loo, jakes, bog - Toilet
Fag - cigarette
Suspenders - garter belt
Braces - suspenders

Sharon wrote: "Some not already mentioned:

Bird - pretty girl
Bint - unattractive girl
Sticking plaster - Band-Aid
Bandage - gauze
Digestive biscuit - Graham cracker
Tights - panty-hose
Petticoat - slip
Jumper -..."

In Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I have heard Spike calling women from time to time, a 'stupid bint'. I knew it was an insult, but I never really knew what he meant. Until now. LOL