Mistakes between the 2 "Englishes"

[EngTeach]

Someone in another post used the word hamper in the English sense meaning gift basket. I am familar with the word being used this way even though I speak the "American English". We use the word hamper to most commonly mean a recepticle for dirty clothes. iIhad a student from England who was greatly confused when reading a book that mentioned taking items from the hamper and putting them in the washing machine.

We then had a great class about the different meanings of the words and names of common things. (flat/apartment, lift/elevator) of course my students found cigarette/fag the funniest thing they ever heard.

In corresponding with Americans have you ever had misunderstanding b/c of the language variations??

[saxy_jag]

A joint in the UK can either be a waccy-baccy cigarette or, more acceptably, a piece of meat. My cousin (American) thinks it's hilarious that we have joints for Sunday lunch.

I think one of the most confusing things is in higher education. Whereas we go to university, they go to college and then school (ie. 'graduate school'). Oh, the times I have been greeted with disbelief when I talk of sixteen year olds going to college here.

[dot.hawkes]

garlic mushrooms, estie didn;t know what they were.

[chitchat]

Here in New Zealand we to have misunderstandings with variants of the English language. Sweets are called lollies, flip-flops are jandals and a skivvy is a polo neck shirt. And you dont send an email you flick it!!

[Jugglering]

Fanny - girl's name or front bottom in UK (look shurrup, I'm trying to be polite here) but it means back bottom in US.

Jam and Jelly have different meanings in the US. In the UK, a jam is a preserve, whilst jelly is a wobbly critter served up with ice cream at kids parties. However in the US, jelly is a preserve and their wobbly stuff is called jello. Oh, and they eat cake and ice cream at kids parties.

[EngTeach]

Thanks for your resonses. The language could cause some quite humorous moments. I heard a comedian do a bit about the phrase "Knock you up", in the US that means to get someone pregnant, but I don't remember the other meaning.

Anyone else have any English mix ups or can think of any double meaning words or phrases?

[AllyLally]

Pours
Paws
Pause
Pores

try explaining that to someone learning English!

[Ethel]

Durex isn't sticky tape in the UK like it is in the US.

[dot.hawkes]

to knock someone up here means to call round to their house early doors and get them out of bed.

[jno]

I remember an American English teacher explaining to me that an American who was mad about his flat was annoyed because he had a puncture, whereas an Englishman was happy about his apartment.

For an Englishman a rubber is something you rub out words with (ie an eraser, perhaps on the end of a pencil ). For an American it isn't.

Chitchat, as you probably know a jandal is short for a Japanese sandal, based on the ones the Japanese team wore at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

[MissMischief]

Chips UK = Fries US
Chips US = Crisps UK

[jno]

that's right, MissMischief - I once ordered a steak and chips in the USA and was quite surprised when it turned up.

[MissMischief]

I'll bet the kitchen staff were a little surprised at the order too!

[Kleiber]

Braces hold your English (UK) trousers up, but suspenders do in America. Suspenders in Britain hold up something quite different!

[jno]

no, it was actually on the menu, MissMischief. This was a roadside diner, not the Waldorf-Astoria of course. I guess it's intended for kids... maybe!

[Jugglering]

Well, he got really pi$$ed at the weekend and had a great time with his mates.............

In the UK that would mean "he had a brilliant time with his friends, getting drunk ....." in the US though, they would be so baffled at him being angry AND enjoying himself - crazy brits eh ?

He ordered a jacket potato with his dinner would mean one thing (a baked potato) in the UK whilst our 'merican friends would be wondering why the potato needed a coat.....