American words

[nic3c]

Does anyone know some useful American words i might need to know for a trip to the US? e.g. cell phone is mobile phone

[vehelpfulguy]

What we call a fizzy drink (coke etc) they call a Soda.

They do not like the phrase toilet and tend to use Bathroom.

A Fag is NOT a cigarette.

[Snowy Owl]

Try ...http://www.scit.wlv.ac.uk/~jphb/american.html .Covers most eventualities!

[JonnoGenie]

Actually toilets are rest-rooms. But don't worry, you're British and they expect you to speak British English, not American English. Any misunderstandings will be worked out.

p.s. For example this weekend in the local 'drugstore' I left the staff totally dumb-founded asking for cotton wool. After giving a lengthy explanation, the two staff members looked at each and went 'Oh, cotton BALLS!' :-D

[NORMANTHEDOG]

AND SUGAR IS splenda

[Clanad]

Well... not actually, Norman ... Splenda is a sugar substitute... low calorie and one of about three popular substitutes. They are all in different colored little paper sacks on dining room tables. Splenda is yellow, Sweet'n Low is Pink and Equal is blue.

Tea, by the way, so important to U.K. citizens is available here in the U.S., but rarely demanded by our populace, so don't expect much in the way of either your quality or selections. We do do coffee though! Starbucks on every other corner, plus some really good smaller chains... my personal favorite is Caribou. By the way your mince is our hamburger, our biscuit is not repeat, not a sweet to be enjoyed at tea (that's a cookie here). A biscuit is primarily a breakfast sort of roll that looks somewhat like a scone, but tastes nothing like one. Try it with sausage gravy, especially in the South if you're there...
Welcome to the U.S., by the way!

[Dee Sa]

Fanny means your bum, hence they say fanny bag.
boot of your car is the trunk, also my husband wanted braces for his trousers and they thought we meant the dentist, they say suspenders.
Clanad I leave for Vegas on 11/4/07--- cant wait to get back there.

[nic3c]

Thanks guys! Can't wait to go!

Dee Sa - i'm in Vegas 9th-12th April!

[Bohne]

Don't let your language be tainted by THESE people!

;o)

This is an constant ongoing argument with my husband.
I accept and ignore his American words, and he picks on my English ones constantly...

sledge, aluminium, dungarees, trousers, sello-tape, flannel, tea-towel, dummy, nappy, ...

Never realised there were so many differences until I started dating an American.

But according to him, American men think that British accents are sexy... so try to use that advantage! ;o)

[jno]

if you make a mistake writing something, ask for an eraser, not a rubber, or you'll get some odd looks.

[Clanad]

For Dee Sa when in Vegas, you might want to take the trip over to the Grand Canyon for this: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/09/glass_ walkway_o.php
Also here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_64700 00/newsid_6470400/6470453.stm

We've friends that came back from walking it and they say it's an unimaginable experience! Suspended in space about 4,000 feet above the bottom of the Canyon! One has to take of one's shoes so as not to scratch the acrylic. It moves slightly, adding to the excitement. it just opened within the last few weeks...

Welcome back, by the way!

[Dee Sa]

nic3c, hope you have a great time, you will find me on the slots- the whacky old lady type, downing freebie vodka., come and say hello.Dont miss the Star Trek ride at the Hilton, its not a roller coaster but you do actually believe you are on the deck of the Star Ship Enterprise [ well I did !].
By the way Clanad, is that real liquor they serve free because I have never seen a drunk in a casino, or is it flavoured syrup ? would love to go to the new Grand Canyon walk , many thanks for the info, but I am escorting a lady in a wheelchair who doesnt like heights, so dont think it will be possible, plus I got vertigo on the top bridge in Porto [Portugal] once and dont want it to happen again, mind you we had been to several wine lodges that afternoon i.e. Sandemans for free tasting sessions.
Dee

[nic3c]

Thanks Dee, hope you have a great time too! I won't be doing much gambling, i'm mainly going to see the sights. Can't wait!

[Dee Sa]

nic3c -- thats what they all say but wait till you get there and you will be staying in a casino wont you ? all the hotels have a casino on the ground floor so you cant get away from it.
I am a bad loser so I only play in "nickel heaven" so you get 20 go's for a dollar !!! so five dollars lasts a long time, sometimes I get daring and up the ante to 25cents a go.
have a great time whatever you do, honestly its like Disney for grown ups, dont miss the free laser show downtown.
Our favourites are shopping and the shows.

[nic3c]

I'll have a go with a tenner but i'm really not a gambler! Yep, i'm definitely going to see the lasers, fountains, rides, etc. Looks like it's gonna be quite warm out there!