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Words With Different Meanings Depending On Country

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June 26, 2023, 09:51 AM
Johnny 3eagles
Words With Different Meanings Depending On Country
Canada: Hydro
USA: Electricity





If you're goin' through hell, keep on going.
Don't slow down. If you're scared don't show it.
You might get out before the devil even knows you're there.


NRA ENDOWMENT LIFE MEMBER
June 26, 2023, 10:59 AM
John Steed
I liked the British tv show "Wheeler Dealers". It was easy to understand that "wings" were "fenders" and similar just from context.

A couple that took me a little time:

"Hood" - no not the US meaning (to them that's the "bonnet") - the Brits call the soft top on a convertible "the hood".

"Sorted" - we say "fixed" or "repaired".

"Tickety-Boo", as in "Now it's all tickety-boo". - That I had to look up. Basically it means "Everything is fine".

One other one I picked up elsewhere
"A full stop" to us, "period".



... stirred anti-clockwise.
June 26, 2023, 11:07 AM
RogueJSK
quote:
Originally posted by John Steed:
"Sorted" - we say "fixed" or "repaired".


"Sorted" is used to designate any task being completed, not just repairs.
June 26, 2023, 11:31 AM
slosig
Rubber - in the UK an eraser, in the US a condom.
“I’ll knock you up in the morning.” - in the UK “I’ll swing by and knock on your door in the morning.” In the US I’ll impregnate you in the morning.
June 26, 2023, 01:29 PM
Pyker
quote:
Originally posted by snwghst:
Add to the UK

Scrubber- prostitute


Strictly speaking a 'scrubber' in the UK is a 'skank' in the US. Not necessarily a prostitute, but just a lady of loose morals. See also 'A bike', sometimes prefaced by 'The Town/Village/Company'. A female that 'everyone has ridden'
June 26, 2023, 01:58 PM
Schmelby
I've always wondered how the term "Gobsmacked" came about.
June 26, 2023, 02:06 PM
RogueJSK
quote:
Originally posted by Schmelby:
I've always wondered how the term "Gobsmacked" came about.


Gobsmacked means shocked/stunned/surprised.

Gob is a northern English and Scottish term for mouth, originally from Gaelic. (Also commonly seen with the phrase "Shut your gob!")

So basically, being gobsmacked is acting surprised and stunned like you've just been unexpectedly smacked in the mouth.
June 26, 2023, 02:13 PM
jhe888
Like Steve Martin observed; "It's like those French have a different word for everything."




The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
June 26, 2023, 02:16 PM
jhe888
quote:
Originally posted by Schmelby:
I've always wondered how the term "Gobsmacked" came about.


See also "gobstopper." A candy that stops you from talking.




The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
June 26, 2023, 02:57 PM
HRK
quote:
See also "gobstopper." A candy that stops you from talking.


They can be everlasting....
June 26, 2023, 03:06 PM
rtquig
When I was young I lived for a year in Hollywood Fla. I worked nights painting department stores. One of the guys I worked with from Indiana said we should go out that night and get some cock. I was dumbfounded until he told me it meant women.


Living the Dream
June 26, 2023, 03:36 PM
Chris42
OK, let’s try “gift”

US - a present for someone.
German - poison.

Not something to get confused when visiting overseas and you wish to leave something for the Fraulein.
June 26, 2023, 03:41 PM
CQB60
Just be careful when asking a waitress for a napkin down under Smile


______________________________________________
Life is short. It’s shorter with the wrong gun…
June 26, 2023, 03:43 PM
PASig
Was watching Bluey with my children yesterday and the dad is cooking up Pikelets, I'm like "WTH is a Pikelet?"

Turns out that's what the Aussies call pancakes.

Who knew?


June 26, 2023, 03:52 PM
architect
Of course, what you and I know as a cake, is called a "pudding" in the UK. Stick that in your gob!
June 26, 2023, 08:22 PM
MelissaDallas
My sister taught alternative high school. One day her Mexican kids were eating leche quemada candy, which is kind of like caramel milk candy. She, being a good Southern girl, was telling them about her mom’s penuche fudge. Their eyes all got huge and they gasped. She asked them “what did I say”? Apparently they thought she said “panoche.” In Spanish properly it means “vulva” but in the vernacular means something more like “nasty filthy c***.”
June 26, 2023, 08:35 PM
PR64
Parking lot here is a car park in the UK.


-----------------------------------
Get your guns b4 the Dems take them away
Sig P-229
Sig P-220 Combat
June 26, 2023, 10:20 PM
flashguy
UK "biscuit", US "cookie"
US "biscuit", UK "scone" (sort of)

flashguy




Texan by choice, not accident of birth
June 27, 2023, 09:31 AM
jhe888
quote:
Originally posted by architect:
Of course, what you and I know as a cake, is called a "pudding" in the UK. Stick that in your gob!


I think "pudding" is dessert generally, and not cake, per se. Although they use the word dessert, too and I don't think I understand the distinction, if there is one.




The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
June 27, 2023, 09:42 AM
vinnybass
quote:
Originally posted by Pyker:
quote:
Originally posted by snwghst:
Add to the UK

Scrubber- prostitute


Strictly speaking a 'scrubber' in the UK is a 'skank' in the US. Not necessarily a prostitute, but just a lady of loose morals. See also 'A bike', sometimes prefaced by 'The Town/Village/Company'. A female that 'everyone has ridden'


Also known as a slapper.



"We're all travelers in this world. From the sweet grass to the packing house. Birth 'til death. We travel between the eternities."