Words Brits use that Americans don't?

I was simply responding to a comment made by another contributor.

 

I know, please ignore.

Carry on with words and phrases, please.

 

7. “I’m knackered”
Meaning: I’m tired, exhausted.

8. “Don’t get shirty with me,” “Don’t get your knickers in a twist,” “You’re getting on my goat,” “Wind your neck in”

Meaning: Someone’s getting angry or aggravated with you or you’re getting annoyed or irritated with them.

9. “I was gobsmacked”
Meaning: I was shocked, lost for words.

10. “She was talking nineteen to the dozen”
Meaning: She was talking at a speedy rate.

 

Some thoughts.

This discussion only makes sense because the majority of folks in both the US and UK speak English most of the time.

If you consider people all over the US and UK are speaking other languages, including some indigenous ones. Then there's actually a lot of difference!

But sticking to English. Languages evolve and adopt words from other languages. I guess a lot of the differences might be adopted words as much as invented ones. Often we don't even know words have been taken from another language. UK English is full of Hindi/Urdu words from the 19thC. I suspect most of these aren't so common in the US.

I came across one Australian phrase, "fair dinkum", meaning honest, above board, good. Apparently the 'dinkum' bit is Chinese are refers to gold. Chinese miners introduced the word into Australian English.

 

Fascinating facts. Thank-you.

 

Interesting

 

11. “It’s all gone pear-shaped”
Meaning: Something has gone wrong.

12. “She’s a picnic short of a sandwich,” “She’s a slice short of a loaf”
Meaning: She’s a little dopey, not very clever.

13. “She’s as bright as a button”
Meaning: She’s clever.

14. “He’s as mad as box of frogs,” “He’s crackers”
Meaning: He’s mad. He’s lost it.

15. “Spend a penny,” “Going for a slash”
Meaning: To visit the bathroom.

16. “Well that’s thrown a spanner in the works”
Meaning: Plans have gone awry, a curveball has been thrown.

17. “We’re having a right old knees up,” “Heading out on the tiles,” “Out on the lash”
Meaning: To go out for the night to have a good time. To party.

18. “I’m out on the pull tonight”
Meaning: To go out looking for a lady or man with whom to enjoy a romantic liaison (see #1.). To get ‘laid’.

 

I hear you say straight away. We’d say right away.

 

We do both. lol

 

I’ve watched a couple of shows from Northern England. They have several different words and phrases from other parts of England. Kind of like US A I suppose regional dialects.

 

Oh, that is so true.

 

They call everyone love. Or at least they did in the seventies. Any road. Lol.

 

Pet in Newcastle. lol

 

Sweetie in southern US.

 

I call loads hon or darling.

 

I still laugh at Dang that the Americans say.
What's that all about?

Is it the same as ding dong?

 

It will be an alternative to damn, which they treat as a sweary word

Conservative 'Moms' group slams Burger King for using 'the d-word' in a commercial - CNN

Funnily, I saw that link in a newsfeed and couldn't imagine what the d word was! So that,s why I know.

 

I always think something rude. Lol

 

Just a substitute for swear word. Like gall dang, dad gum, dog gone, durn and darn and my pop’s favorite “dad blamed” and gosh darn. The South is full of “devout” Christians who would not dream of swearing but will spread gossip at every occasion.

 

19. “I’m quids in” / “I’m skint” / “Have you got any dosh?”
Meaning: You’ve come into money / You have no money / You’re asking someone if they have any money.

20. “Sweet Fanny Adams”
Meaning: Nothing, such as when being asked what you did for the day or what you’re currently doing.

21. “It’s just Sod’s law”
Meaning: Same as ‘Murphy’s Law’ — what’s going to happen, will happen.

22. “It’s parky out” or “It’s brass monkeys out”
Meaning: It’s cold outside.

23. “She’s such a curtain twitcher” or “Stop being such a nose ointment”
Meaning: She’s a nosy neighbor, stop being so nosy.

24. “Did you see her? She’s such a chav”
Meaning: A British stereotype for a ‘low class’ person or someone wearing ‘cheap’ clothes.

25. “That’s smashing,” “Super,” “Ace,” “Pucker”
Meaning: That’s “awesome.”