Lost in Translation--US vs UK English words

[northernkilter]

UK = Yellow teeth US = white teeth

..our dental health care isnt as good.

Nice one Cessna, you really nailed the terms, I though much prefer railway to railroad

[EagleJCS]

UK = US
prostitute = solicitor
(This is one I need to be particularly careful with - in Scotland I am designated as a retired solicitor, when visiting Canada or USA I need to remember to describe myself as a retired attorney!!!)

Actually, most places 'round here (Midwest US) call a common prostitute a 'hooker' or 'streetwalker'. There are also 'escorts', which is a higher-class - or at least more expensive - type of prostitute. Hookers are arrested/charged with 'solicitation'. (In the UK, a 'hooker' is one of the players in rugby, no?)

'Solicitors' in this area, on the other hand, are door-to-door salespeople offering a variety of goods and/or services. "No soliciting" is a commonly posted sign in areas where these kinds of salespeople are not wanted.


Another one:
(UK) fancy dress = (US) costume - as in Halloween or costume party

[Drac]

One that got one of our sailors in trouble back in the 80's in Scotland

UK=US
fag=cigarette

Though I got all sorts of interesting results when looking up something online here that is a simple term turned out to be not the politest term in England

Jim

[dfmacliam]

I grew up in a British home, in the States. It was almost like knowing two languages.. translating what mom said to my American friends.. we were not alone.. in the military, it was not uncommon to know a couple other families from the UK.

We would play baseball one day, go to another friends home the next day, and play cricket.

Food we thought was normal, was not always appreciated by the American kids.. chip butti's, cuke butti's and such..

Knowing what a page three girl was, and enjoying sharing them, with the American kids..

and so on...LOL

[Cavebear58]

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[Cavebear58]

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[dfmacliam]

pissed has a double meaning too

[Cavebear58]

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[RB51]

With a nod to the KiltedKnome's post, when I was just out of high school I worked for a large company, one employee of whom was a very proper middle-aged (to my young eyes) English lady. She needed a ride to work one morning, and having determined that she was pretty much on the route I took, asked if I could knock her up in the morning. Being hormonally driven in those days, I recall spewing my mouthfull of coffee, and great hilarity ensuing in the lunch room.

[Drac]

Knowing what a page three girl was,

Forgot all about that quaint tradition. Reminds me of Samantha Fox.

Jim