Our Common Language

[dclor]

(*smile*) I told Brian what a ditz was. (Uh, Willy, he didst not protest.... hmmmm..)

What do Brits do with the following URLs?
http://rehmi.www.media.mit.edu/peopl...ackMan0.4.html http://www.creativems.com/shop/fannypk.html http://babysupermall.com/main/produc.../pky07100.html

- Diane

[This message has been edited by dclor (edited 04 January 2000).]

[scottishprincess]

The british equivalent of the Fanny pack is called the Bum bag and diapers are called nappies. Speaking of Fanny's and I hope I dont offend anyone but depending on your take on fanny depends on how rude this song would be to you.
To the tune of "Oh m'darlin Clementine"

Fanny Morgan plays the organ
and she plays it very well
and her sisters'
got a blister
in the middle of her....
repeat from start

Im sorry - a childhood memory that just popped into my head!

Princess

[Texus]

Lets not forget the wonderfull saying 'Big willie style' which caused much tension towards will smith in the uk!

[ScottishLass]

How about Chips .... Crisps. Imagine to my surprise when I first arrived in the US, went into a MacDonald's and asked for a Cheeseburger with Chips. Well of course when she put a bag of crisps on my tray I was horrified. I said excuse me, I ordered chips not crisps, she said what on earth are crisps I've never heard of those. Needless to say my husband is standing right beside me in absolute fits of laughter. Then he took the time to explain to me what I needed to ask for. That was the first of many experiences.

I can relate to the "fanny episode".
I was shopping in a mall here and a mother with 2 small children were walking in front of me. The children started running off and misbehaving, that's when I heard her tell her children she was going to spank their fannies so hard they wouldn't be able to sit down for a week. I was horrified!!!!! I approached the mother and told her in no uncertain terms that she couldn't do that to her children or I would have her arrested. The mother was not pleased at my comments of course and proceeded to call the mall security on me!!!, when he got there I told him exactly what I had said, and he asked me what my problem was. I was astounded, how could he not see the abuse that was about to be perpetrated on these children. At this point, you guessed it my husband appeared, and once again I was truly embarrassed.

I have many other instances but won't bore you with details.



[This message has been edited by ScottishLass (edited 05 January 2000).]

[dferg]

Also, no Brit would ever call themselves "Puff Daddy" or "Puffy" (except maybe Graham Norton!). This is not a good way to get a hardman image.

I understand that in the US "belly" is, if not exactly rude, at least taboo in polite company? Not so over here.

Actually, anyone who is interested in this should read Bill Bryson's "Made in America", excellent book.

Other words which only exist in Scots include "thrawn", all the Merkins, try and guess what this means. (no helping them now!)

CV stands for Ciriculum Vitae, and is indeed your resume.

Another thing to watch out for, which can prove embarassing, in the UK "pants" are underwear, what you call pants are trousers here.

[Peteman]

US- vacation
UK- holiday

[Willy]

...and a vest is what we call an undershirt and a waistcoat what we call a vest...
You have me stumped with thrawn.