by Brian I on March 12th, 2007

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What expressions can you think of that, if you're American a British person would find strange or if you're British an American would find strange. Australians & New Zealanders join in in either direction.

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by fruityloop on March 13th, 2007
The British use the term "going out for a fag" when they mean they are going outside for a cigarette.

An American might raise their eyebrows at you if you said that in America!

Also, being pi55ed to the British means being drunk, but to an American it means something totally different.
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- They'd be even more distressed if you asked whether you could "bum a fag"
  
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  by Anonymous on August 22nd, 2007
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by Halskiisaklink on August 22nd, 2007
I'm Australian, but some Devon residents use the phrase 'having a wazz' to describe the sacred art of urination.
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- I've heard of having a wizz for the same thing, but not wazz.
  
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  by Brian I on August 22nd, 2007
- Have you ever heard someone from the Moors speak? Then you'd understand.
  
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  by Halskiisaklink on August 22nd, 2007
- I think I heard Patsy say this on AbFab
  
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  by Grandma Roses - my avatar is my real dog on August 22nd, 2007
- Lol. I'm from Devon and I go for a wazz. My friend in Cardiff also uses this expression too.
  
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  by Debris - the new slimline version. on August 22nd, 2007
- Where I come from in England we say "having a whizz"
  
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  by Gone. on March 4th, 2008
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by Anonymous on August 22nd, 2007
My favorites so far have been "not the full whack" (As in, a couple of cans short of a six pack - confused Stableboy) and "well chuffed" (which I use a lot, and means "very pleased")
I also love the confusion over the different British and American uses of the word "fanny".
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- True, fanny pack conjures up a rather strange image.
  
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  by Brian I on August 22nd, 2007
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by tgwt7yi on August 22nd, 2007
"friggin"...my brit friends thot that was a trip..."trip"...my brit friends thought that was amusing...one i thought was interesting was being called a "lamb" by an irish-brit...he said that it meant i looked great/hot/good (i guess) where as here in the states, my understanding of being called a "lamb" means a weak/vulnerable thing....
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- Being called a "lamb" means (to me, at least) nice, kind, helpful rather than great or hot. Complimentary, but not in the way you have taken it. Though why such attributes are associated with lambs, I cannot imagine: your interpretation is more sensible.
  
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  by Im Alec has abandoned this account on August 22nd, 2007
- Yes, I would have thought that being called a lamb was being called sweet, helpful, etc. as well.
  
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  by Brian I on August 22nd, 2007
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by kitty loves you on August 22nd, 2007
"Its a bit black over Bills' Mothas'" meaning its about to rain... (and must be pronounced M-o-th-as, not mothers even tho it has the same meaning) Confused? Thats the english for you!
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- Well, I'm English and I've never heard that one. Maybe it's an East Midlands thing, like one man calling another man 'duck'.
  
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  by Brian I on August 22nd, 2007
- Yes I think it is, and the 'duck' thing has always irritated me, "ey up me duck how ya doin?" AAARRGGGHHH!!!
  
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  by kitty loves you on August 22nd, 2007
- You're not from Derby are you? Ducks are virtually punctuation there. I take it you're familiar with the word "mardy" as well?
  
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  by Anonymous on August 22nd, 2007
- Oh my god you really made me howl, you wouldn,t believe how many times I get asked what 'mardy' means!! And yes, I am from Derby though living in Nottingham now. (It has a better class of criminal you know me duck!)
  
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  by kitty loves you on August 22nd, 2007
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by Cowboy-Matter of Fact on August 22nd, 2007
"Shittin' in high cotton" - in the U.S., especially the southern U.S. this has long meant doing well, being prosperous. I doubt many Brits or Aussies have used the phrase often.
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- Thanks for the explanation, I wouldn't have understood at all but for that.
  
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  by Brian I on August 22nd, 2007
- I'm sure you can imagine it comes from the days when cotton was the crop out in the field that paid the bills and there were no indoor toilets. LOL.
  
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  by Cowboy-Matter of Fact on August 22nd, 2007
- Yes, it makes sense when you realise that.
  
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  by Brian I on August 22nd, 2007
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Question

What expressions can you think of that, if you're American a British person would find strange or if you're British an American would find strange. Australians & New Zealanders join in in either direction.

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What expressions can you think of that, if you're American a British person would find strange or if you're British an American would find strange. Australians & New Zealanders join in in either direction.

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