Comments on: Lost in translation?

By: GLENNE

GLENNE — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:15:48 +0000

Im canadian and many of the ‘british’ terms you said we use as variations of the american words. they are a different thing not the same thing

By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:50:36 +0000

As a Canadian raised in British schools, now living in the US, I have the worst time with my son’s teachers. The spelling differences drive me bonkers. And even after a few years here, most people think I’m British, Irish, or Scottish. Back in Canada, no one ever thought I was any of those! Of course, I use many Canadian phrases too, and my poor son is only finally getting around to speaking “American” and spelling “American” too.

By: Yvonne

Yvonne — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 23:00:04 +0000

I agree! Winkle pickers is hilarious. I grew up in Colorado and we wore “thongs” on our feet in the summer–now called flip flops. I remember jumpers being also called pinafores when I was young. It is amusing to find the language differences.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 19:39:47 +0000

What fun! Not so fun: with my background in menswear, the confusion about the term "button-down" is particular irritant. Button-down does not mean the front of the shirt has buttons down it, it means a particular collar style where the tips of the collar button onto the body of the shirt. I am wearing one here. If we think it is necessary to specify that the front of a shirt closes with buttons, how about we use the term "button-front" or "button-up"?

By: Icy

Icy — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 06:18:21 +0000

Cozzies is very Australian actually.
Winkle pickers – hilarious. We call them high heels. (BTW a winkle is a small shell fish, a bit like a snail. You need something pointed to pull them out of the shell to eat, so I support Winkle pickers probably refer to heels with a pointed toe).
Thongs in Australia you wear on your feet! You might call them flip-flops.

By: Chic and Charming

Chic and Charming — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 20:14:12 +0000

Thats great! From a personal and slightly embarrassing experience in the UK:
US panties= UK pants
US pants= UK trousers

I studied abroad in the UK and told my flatmates the first night I was there that I had to go change my pants before going out the pub. So, they all though I was running upstairs to put on some sexy panties….when I came down in new “trousers” they corrected my mistake and told me they were happy I was not that kind of girl.

By: pam munro

pam munro — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 18:27:57 +0000

FYI – In California – I hear both “jeans jacket” (which means a traditionally cut short jacket a la Levi Strauss) and “denim jacket” (which means any jacket cut our of denim – in a blazer patter, say…) And boots up to the knees are “knee-length boots” to me. And to me “gauchos” are the long loose pants, whereas “culottes” are shorter, and more skirt-like. And a “g-string”used to be what was worn by strippers!

By: Therese

Therese — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 04:49:53 +0000

“Schedule” pronounced in the British fashion is found in varying places in the US as well, amongst older speakers. I got a lot of flack for being rasied by my grandparents with my “odd pronunciations” — all of which are completely valid here in Hong Kong. : )

I’ve no idea what either “gear” or “togs” are. A search brings up that it’s a bathing suit/outfit? Help?

By: Angie

Angie — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 00:29:40 +0000

It sounds like we can share war stories Marianna! I still say words like “zed”, “loo”, “lift”, “flat”, “pudding” and “pukka”. I continue to crack people up with the way I pronounce “water”, “status”, and “schedule”. And I seem to get the most reaction when I say “Bob’s your uncle”…which is often accompanied with a “who’s Bob?”

From to time I have to admit that I accidently drive on the wrong side of the road…but I’m relieved to say that has improved significantly.

By: Meg

Meg — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:15:20 +0000

Yeah! Dialect fun! As a former linguistics student, I can’t help but give a report on the usage here in Florida.

G-string and thong are both words used here, but with different meanings. A g-string is considerably thinner in the back than a thong. Polo neck and turtle neck are also used here, but to describe different things. Same thing with gauchos and culottes. Culottes are shorter and of stiffer material.

I believe hairclip has become more popular than barrette, unless talking about those cutsey plastic clips that little girls wear. Undies vs. panties is a toss-up. I will say that brooch is rarely heard, but the connotation is that it’s more expensive or older than just “a pin’. I rarely if ever hear just “hose” here. They’re pantyhose or stockings. It’s I’d also say that denim jacket is more popular than jeans jacket, though I would say either jean skirt or denim skirt.