British/American Colloquialisms

British/American Colloquialisms

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Posted: 2:14 PM Oct 16, 2007

Replies Posted: 6 comments

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British/American Colloquialisms

Many of you might have spoken to me when you have called KOLO 8 News....

Well, I'm not from New Zealand, i'm not from Austrailia..... 'I'm the British Chap'.

Being British I have had to learn a lot of different phrases since living in Nevada for the past year, ie. Gas = Petrol, Trunk = Boot.

In every county there is a different way of saying something....

The English and Americans luckily speak the same language but with slight differences and there are so many variations of words, saying's and even pronounciations that i had never heard of before i moved to the U.S.

I got a real laugh from the staff here at KOLO 8 when i called the Reno Fire Department the 'Reno Fire Brigade'.......

I want your colloquialisms so I can become a true american!

Posted by: Christa Location: western us
In Texas when you are about to do something we say "Fixin to" ex I am fixin to go the store. This gets a laugh in other parts of the county and they always ask what is broken that needs to be "fixed" so best to only use in Texas. Also coca cola is almost always called coke and all soda's fall under this idea so if you say "I am fixin to go to the store anybody want anything ?"someone might pipe up and say"I want a coke" so you would have to ask what kind and they would most llikely reply Dr Pepper.

Posted by: Sue Location: Winnemucca
If you are English why would you want to become a 'true American'? I'm sure you've learned (maybe the hard way) many of the embarrassing words not to use, you just have to see peoples reactions to know you've said something wrong. There are so many differences, even after 15 years in America I am still learning some of them. Everyone gets a kick out of some sayings like My giddy aunt, or the pronunciation of words such as garage, aluminium and tomato. Enjoy yourself in Reno, life is fun.

Posted by: Tanya Location: Sidmouth, G.B.
We call the reflectors in the middle of the road 'cat's eyes', but I remember a cousin coming over from the states and falling about laughing when he saw a sign saying "cat's eyes removed". Do you call them something different?

Posted by: Norma Location: Reno, NV
When I First Came over I made two big ones. Had an eraser tied to my typewriter(years ago) and stood up in the office and asked everyone "Ok, who stole my rubber! Then I found out that your don't tell people to keep their pecker up.

Posted by: Big Dad "Can you knock me up in the morning". We all know what this means in the US but in the UK it means "can you wake me up in the morning".

Posted by: The British Chap Is this true: My father is a smoke eater - means - My father is a fireman.