I write naturally in British English having spent my childhood and much of my adult life in London, England. Why do I state London, England? Because when I left the USA, after a two year stay, for the UK, I had letters addresses to me in London, which were sent to London in Canada. I had an embarrassing moment in the USA asking for a rubber. And buffalo wings were nothing to do with Buffalos.
If you have readers in the USA and Canada, you must specify London, England, or London, Canada, York England, or New York, USA, Paris, France, or Paris, Texas. Georgia could be the country in Europe, or in the USA. Washington could be Washington D>C on the East side of the USA, or Washington State in the West.
For Americans and Asians I need to explain elevenses and High tea.
Elevenses
mid-morning tea or coffee break, around 11 a.m.
High Tea
In the north of England including savoury, usually not just sandwiches sut something warming such as a mixed grill, followed by sweet or dessert such as cakes, pancakes, often when the daylight ended and work ended in the North of England and Scotland, which is after 4 pm or 5 pm in winter
Other words I amplify, correct or explain include autumn and fall, films and movies and several more. Here is a quick reminder.
American - British English
bellhop - porter
Buffalo wings - chicken wings (with a sauce, a dish created in Buffalo, nothing to do with buffalos)
check - bill (for food in restaurant)
comforter - duvet
cookies - biscuits
diaper - nappy
fall - autumn
faucet - tap
figure out - guess, work out, deduce
go see - go and see/go to see
gratuity - tip
hack (noun) - tip, trick (smart suggestion for action such as cleaning stains)
hood (of car) - bonnet
Kleenex/ tissues - paper hanky (short for paper handkerchief)
make a right - turn right
Mom - Mum
Mom and Pop store - family owned shop
momentarily - shortly, soon
movie - film
Movie star - film star
parking lot - car park
Pop - Dad
purse - handbag, clutch bag
regular (size between small and large) - standard
rubber - Durex (brand name of contraceptive for men)
store - shop
sure - definitely
rubber boots (pull on) - Wellingtons
take out - take away
truck - lorry
trunk (of car) - boot
British English - American
autumn - fall
bill (for food in restaurant) - check
biscuits - cookies
bonnet (of car) - hood
boot (of car) - trunk
definitely - sure
Durex - rubber (contraceptive)
car park - parking lot
duvet - comforter
elevenses - mid-morning tea or coffee break, around 11 a.m.
family business/shop/motel - mom and pop store
film - movie
film star - movie star
go and see - go see
Hoover - vacuum cleaner
momentarily - briefly
Mum - Mom
take away - take out
tap - faucet
tea time - mid-afternoon break for tea or coffee and food, around 4 pm
High tea - late afternoon meal
lorry - truck
movie - film
movie star - film star
nappy - diaper
porter - bellhop
purse - coin purse
rubber - eraser
shop - store
standard - regular
store - department store
tip (advice, suggestion) - hack
tip (money, donation) - gratuity
turn right - make a right
wallet - billfold
Wellingtons - pull on rubber boots
About The Author
Angela Lansbury is a travel writer, photographer and speaker.
Please see my other blogs and share links with your friends
travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com
dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment