Wanna be UK'er

[Salasm]

Anybody know of any websites that provide American words or sayings translated into their UK equivalents?

I know there's quite a few UK mac members here after lurking for quite some time, and I always find some of the UK terminologies interesting.

What are some common UK phrases?

 

[UKnjb]

'ere yer are, guv'. Not the best maybe, but a bit of a start. An' good luck to yer - yer and yer fine lady, if she's there.

Linky

 

[Peterkro]

There's quite a few out there but I don't know one with a search function:

http://www.effingpot.com/slang.shtml

http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/

Googles your friend.

I should coco.
Well I'll go and stand at the bottom of our stairs
Up the wooden hill to bedfordshire,etc, etc, etc

 

[gwuMACaddict]

brilliant

 

[clayj]

There's quite a few out there but I don't know one with a search function:

http://www.effingpot.com/slang.shtml

http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/

Googles your friend.

I should coco.

And Bob's your uncle.

 

[Black&Tan]

I never liked the English equivalent of cigarette - a fag. After being raised in the US, I can't separate the derogatory nature of the word. Disquieting.

The English equivalent of eraser always produced a smile - a rubber.

Then there's snog and shag, referring to relations between consenting adults.

 

[XIII]

I never liked the English equivalent of cigarette - a fag. After being raised in the US, I can't separate the derogatory nature of the word. Disquieting.

The English equivalent of eraser always produced a smile - a rubber.

Then there's snog and shag, referring to relations between consenting adults.

It's just funny how you guys don't use those words.

 

[Black&Tan]

More...

Spot of tea luv = cup of tea
Brolly = umbrella
Bumbershoot = umbrella
Ta = thanks
Cheers = thanks
Washing up liquid = dishwashing detergent
Sultana = raisins (I really like this one)'
Uni = university
Boot = trunk
Jumper = sweater
Qeue = line
Tube = underground, subway

 

[UKnjb]

Never mind the word "bush"

In the US, I understand it means a President. Over here, well it is .....

 

[Black&Tan]

After understanding what a shag was, I always thought it was funny that we have shag carpets.

Hmmm...alternate meaning? I wonder....

Never mind the word "bush"

In the US, I understand it means a President. Over here, well it is .....

It can also mean the same thing over here. We also have the phrase, "beat the bushes" meaning to look for something.

 

[Kernow]

More...
Sultana = raisins (I really like this one)'

I always thought these were different things - sultana=dried white grape, raisin=dried red grape.

 

[Black&Tan]

I always thought these were different things - sultana=dried white grape, raisin=dried red grape.

Maybe. I didn't know there was a difference. I remember seeing Sultana Bran in the grocery store in Preston, but here in the US, its referred to as Raisin Bran.

Here's another website I have in my bookmarks...

http://english2american.com/

 

[UKnjb]

Not a website, but I have a good book. light-hearted AND informative.
"British Self-taught: With Comments in American"
Norman W. Schur
publisher Macmillan, Library of Congress Catalog Car No: 70-127941

 

[iGary]

It's just funny how you guys don't use those words.

Shag?

We just say ****.

 

[XIII]

Shag?

We just say ****.

Clearly this shows the Brits superior intellect (yah, right) in that we use both words!

 

[Black&Tan]

Never mind the word "bush"

In the US, I understand it means a President. Over here, well it is .....

And here's yet another meaning for the word "bush."

 

[skunk]

We just say ****.

Much too often, you foul-mouthed shower.

 

[bumpy]

That's due to the richness of british slang, we have an amazing amount of words for anythng rude. Where as the Eskimos have 200 words for snow, we have 200 words for masturbation.

Just shows what's most important to a nation.

 

[idea_hamster]

Also keep in mind:

"spotted dick" -- in the U.S., you should probably take some penecilin

"fanny" -- major difference between U.S./U.K. meanings

 

[quigleybc]

'ere yer are, guv'. Not the best maybe, but a bit of a start. Linky

What's the origin of the "guv'ner" or Guv, that i hear a lot? Bart Simpson would say that when mimicking a British accent...

 

[clayj]

Well, Oscar Wilde said, "Britain and America are two countries separated by the Atlantic Ocean," and he was right.

 

[skunk]

What's the origin of the "guv'ner" or Guv, that i hear a lot? Bart Simpson would say that when mimicking a British accent...

Governor, the person who governs you, foreman, boss or simply your social better...
There's a touch of irony in there, too, as in country people addressing strangers as "squire".
Both terms to be accompanied by a tip of the hat or, if short of a hat, a tug of the forelock.

 

[x86]

What's the origin of the "guv'ner" or Guv, that i hear a lot? Bart Simpson would say that when mimicking a British accent...

I'm curious about that as well. I first heard it while playing Dragon Quest on my PS2...

 

[Peterkro]

Was it Oscar Wilde is was it George Bernard Shaw I'm now my memory doesn't work too well anymore.Mind you they were both Irish so offer a independent view.

I think I need a lie down I was thinking of " two nations separated by a common language"

 

[Jaffa Cake]

What's the origin of the "guv'ner" or Guv, that i hear a lot? Bart Simpson would say that when mimicking a British accent...

It's just a way of saying 'governor' – someone in charge, or in a position of authority. Generally, you might say it in an effort to show a bit of respect, guv.

EDIT: Me ol' mucker skunk got in there first, I see. *tugs forlock by way of deference*