British English. Could You Get by in the UK?

I have been exposed to American culture, food, American English and TV all my life, which is largely due to the fact that I grew up around a sizable American community where I am from in the UK. I then went on to marry my American husband and since then I have been able to hone my American English even more. My husband even views himself as "bilingual" after living in the UK for 10 years! But there are still times when we both have to be careful of what we say depending on which country we are in at the time. Sometimes I say something that is completely innocent, but has a different meaning in America. For example, if I ask my husband to pass me the rubber, I am asking him to pass me the eraser that is on the table so I can correct some work I have written! Another one is my use of slang. I occasionally greet my friends with "Alright?" I am not asking them for a detailed account of their latest ailments. I am simply saying, "Hello, how are you?" The usual response in the UK, would just be a repetition of what was said. I have devised a list of some useful phrases for those who have decided to visit the UK. As with your travels to any non-English speaking country I would also advise that you familiarize yourself with some British phrases, or you may have a few problems. People will be able to easily understand you most of the time, but you may end up with a few problems!

Slang phrases

Alright?

Now we have already discussed a common, informal greeting among people in the UK. "Alright?" Means "Hello, how are you?" Rather than take it literally, simply repeat what was said and you will be fine! If you will be visiting northern England, some people may say "cheerio" when you leave. This is not alluding to the popular breakfast cereal. It is an informal way of saying "goodbye".

Blinkered

I like the word "blinkered". It is very expressive and bring to mind the "blinkers" that horses wear so that they can only see straight ahead of them. Hence, due to their narrow vision, this is a fitting phrase that refers to a narrow minded sort of person. I would exercise caution with this one if I were you.

Bomb

Other than the obvious meaning of the word, bomb can also refer to an item that is expensive. It will go something like this:" It cost a bomb". So do not be alarmed if you hear this word spoken in this context.

Chin wag

People who like to talk can be referred to as enjoying a good chin wag. It may sound strange, but the words are pretty self explanatory, really. Just listen to how it is said and the context will help you.

C.of E.

On your British travels, you may hear this expression used by your tour guides as you approach a church. It is simply an abbreviation of Church of England, the Anglican church that is headed by Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II. British churches are extremely old and some are very well preserved. Some have been around since Norman times.

Chuffed

If someone tells you they are chuffed the large grin on their face will give away the meaning quite easily. It means someone is pleased about something.

Doddle

Something is a doddle when it is easy to accomplish. The American equivalent would be the word "cinch".

Flog

Flog has the same primary meaning in the UK as it does in the US, and that is to beat. But it also means to sell something. A popular British show is "Flog it", meaning "sell it".

Flutter

To have a flutter means to place a bet in a betting shop or in some other capacity.

Hump

To have the hump is not a rude phrase at all. It means that someone is in a mood about something, perhaps by being quiet and unresponsive.

Knackered

Knackered is an informal way of saying that you are exhausted, perhaps after a long day at work, or in the case of the tourist, after a long day of sightseeing.

Knock up

I do not hear this expression used so much anymore, but it used to primarily mean to wake a person up by knocking on their door. Now it is used more generally to mean being woken up in any capacity.

Not my cup of tea

Rather than expressing concern that the wrong cup of tea was served, this phrase means that whatever is being discussed is not to the person's liking. It is quite interesting how the British national drink is used in this expression. I can't imagine this phrase translating into "not my cup of coffee" in America. It doesn't seem to have the same ring to it somehow!

Sack/sacked

If a person is sacked it means that they have been fired from their place of employment.

Sorted

This is the way some people respond when someone asks them if they have resolved a problem or issue that they were dealing with. Rather than giving the long version, we say "sorted" to explain in one word that it is resolved.

Splash out

Someone who splashes out is spending a lot of money on a purchase, perhaps an expensive gift or a meal in an expensive restaurant. It shows that the person is not just spending money, but is spending more than usual to make the occasion special.

Waffle

This word also means the lovely breakfast item served in America, as well as the completely different kind we serve with baked beans, eggs and so on in the UK. But it has another meaning and that is to talk on and on incessantly.

Wind up

If someone admits that they are "winding you up" they have not mistaken you for a clock that needs to be wound up. They are teasing you!

Zed

"Zed" is how we pronounce the letter "z". Hence, we would say zeb-ra rather than zee-bra, when referring to the stripey animal in question.

People

Barmaid

If you go into a British pub, do not expect to be served by a female bartender. A female who serves you is called a barmaid.

Barman

On the other hand, a male bartender is more commonly known as a barman in the UK.

Barrister

A barrister is an attorney that will represent you in a court of law. Let's just hope you won't need one when you travel to the UK.

Bloke

A bloke means the same as guy in America.

Bobby

As well as being a male name, bobby is an informal expression for a police officer. A "bobby on the beat" is a police officer walking around town making sure nothing bad is going on.

Butterfingers

There are no chocolate bars called butterfinger in general circulation in the UK. This is a term that refers to a clumsy person. Think of the word picture it brings to mind. If you were to have butter on your fingers, you would be drop things, making you more clumsy. It might help you remember it.

Cashier

If you visit a British bank to exchange dollars into pounds then you will need to talk to a cashier. Ask for the next available teller and you will probably receive a blank stare.

Christian name

If someone asks you for your Christian name, do not be alarmed. They are just asking what your first name is.

Copper

This is another reference to a police officer. It also means all copper change that you might have in your pocket, such as 1p and 2p coins.

Estate agent

An estate agent is what we call realtors or real estate agents.

Fire brigade

The fire brigade is the same as the fire department in America. In case of an emergency dial 999.

Flat mate

A flat mate is what is known as a room mate in America. If you mention room mate in the UK, people will automatically think that you are referring to a person who shares your bedroom.

Fresher

In the first year of university, students are known as freshers, whereas they are more commonly known as "freshmen" in America. The term "fresher" is only used when talking about university. There are no freshman, sophomore, junior or senior titles in British high schools or university. A final year student at university is simply referred to as a "final year" student.

Lollipop man/lady

These used to be very common when I was young. They are crossing guards that help children, the elderly and disabled cross the road by stopping traffic at busy junctions, such as outside schools.

Shareholder

A person who has shares in the UK is known as a stockholder in America.

Solicitor

This carries the same meaning as in America, but it is also another name for an attorney.

Motoring

AA

If you break down in the UK, you are likely to call the AA. Do not ask for "double AA" otherwise you will be asking for batteries instead of roadside assistance! It is basically the same as AAA.

Aerial

An aerial is also known as an antenna in America.

Amber

When coming to a set of traffic lights, the light will change from green to amber, not yellow. You will find this in the Highway code too. Don't worry about green and red. They are not called dark green and crimson!

Banger

If someone is trying to flog an old banger, they are trying to sell an old car.

Bonnet

As well as being a very old-fashioned hat that ladies used to wear, this is what the hood of the car is also known as.

Boot

The boot is the trunk.

Car park

If you are driving in your hired car around trying to find somewhere to park, keep an eye out for a car park. A parking lot will not get you very far in the UK.

Cat's eyes

These are road reflectors that light up and are visible at nighttime. They can be like slits that resemble cat's eyes.

De-mister

A de-mister is what you will require during the colder months. You would call this a de-froster in America.

Diversion

If you see a sign that mentions there is a diversion, there has probably been an accident and you will need to follow the posted new route. It is the same as a detour.

Dual carriageway

A dual carriageway is the same as a divided highway. I find that both make sense, because they are pretty self explanatory.

Estate car

An estate car in the UK is a station wagon in America.

Fire engine

To help the fire brigade do their job, they require a fire engine. It is known as a fire truck in America.

Flyover

A flyover is the same as an overpass.

Gear stick

The majority of British cars have a manual transmission and therefore require a gear stick, or a stick shift. I can't help but smile when my friends admire my "stick shift" car or comment about how well I can drive a "stick".

Give way

Give way is the same triangular shape, with red and white, as in America and means yield to oncoming traffic.

Glove box

This is a glove compartment.

Hand brake

A hand brake is another name for a parking brake.

Headlamp/light

A headlamp is the same as a headlight although both words are used.

Hire car

You may require a hire car during your stay in the UK. It is the same as a rental car. Remember to drive on the left.

Indicator

When you want to turn left or right, you use your indicator to do so. It is a turn signal.

Lay by

After a long drive (not too likely in the UK) you may need to stop off in a lay by for a rest. It is a rest area.

Lorry

A lorry is a truck

Manual

A manual car would be referred to as a stick shift car in America.

Number plate.

This is the same as a license plate.

Pavement

This is exclusively reserved for pedestrians to walk on. It is a sidewalk.

Pedestrian crossing

A pedestrian crossing is a crosswalk. It is generally a safe place to cross the road. Although not always. I almost got knocked down by a motorist when she ran a red light, smashed into the car in front of her and then almost hit me!

Petrol

Petrol is the word used for gas when filling up your car. It is short for the term petroleum, but it is always known by its shorter form.

Petrol station

Now you know what petrol means, a petrol station is where you fill up on fuel, also known as a gas station.

Roundabout

A roundabout is a traffic circle in the UK. They are very common. If you get lost you can go around the roundabout again until you find your appropriate exit.

Spanner

If you ever hear the word spanner, rest assured, it is a wrench. If someone "throws a spanner in the works" they are creating trouble.

Turn right

Rather than go into detail about our next intentions, we just say "turn right". I've heard "make a right" in America.

Windscreen

A windscreen is the same as a windshield.

Windscreen wipers

Windscreen wipers are also known as windshield wipers.

Write off

If you are unfortunate enough to get into a car accident and the insurance company cannot pay for repairs, your car will be "written off" or totaled.

Food and drink

Aubergine

This would be an eggplant. The "b" actually replaced with a "v". It sounds like "overjeen".

Banger

You've heard me say that banger means an old car. Just to confuse you, it also refers to a sausage. You're likely to hear of the popular dish "bangers and mash", sausages and mashed potatoes.

Beet mat

In a pub, you are more likely to get a beer mat than a coaster for your drink.

Bill

When you have finished your meal in a restaurant, ask for the bill. You may be understood if you say "check", but it is better to say "bill".

Biscuit

A biscuit is the same as a cookie. It is also used to refer to crackers.

Brown bread

When buying bread, you may opt for brown bread, another way of saying wheat bread really.

Candy floss

If you go to a fairground during your stay in the UK, do not ask for cotton candy. People are unlikely to know what you mean. Instead, ask for candy floss.

Chips

When visiting a fast food restaurant, you may want chips with your meal, not the kind you eat with salsa. These are French fries. They are also called fries from time to time in the UK too.

Cling film

This is used to cover food. It is also known as plastic wrap.

Cornflour

Cornflour is used to thicken sauces, in much the same way as corn starch does in America.

Courgette

A courgette is known as a zucchini in America.

Crisps

If you get hungry and you want a bag of crisps to tide you over, you will be buying a bag of potato chips.

Crumpet

A crumpet is the breakfast or snack item we eat in the UK that has been renamed "English muffin" in America.

Double cream

This is the nearest I have seen to the equivalent of heavy cream.

Entree

Appetizer

Gherkin

Also known as a pickle, as in America, but you may hear gherkin too

Golden syrup

Corn syrup

Grill

When you turn the grill on, you are not going outside and getting the barbecue set up. This is the term using to broil food.

Icing sugar

If you are baking a cake and the recipe calls for icing sugar, add confectioner's sugar. It's the same thing.

Jam

Jam is known in America as jelly.

Jelly

The wobbly stuff we used to eat as children with ice cream is known as jell-o in America.

Joint

A joint does have the same meaning as in America, but it also refers to a piece of meat, generally on the bone.

Kipper

A kipper is a smoked herring. It is a dish sometimes served for breakfast.

Liver sausage

This is more commonly known as liverwurst.

Mash

Potatoes are eaten a lot in the UK, so if you come across "mash" on a menu, you are looking at mashed potatoes.

Mince

When cooking a meat dish, mince is often used as a basis, also known as ground beef.

Peckish

Someone who complains that they are feeling peckish is hungry.

Pork scratchings

Pork scratchings is not the most attractive phrase. It makes you wonder how they remove the pork rinds. That is what you will be buying if you put them in your shopping basket.

Pub grub

Before you get too revolted at the idea of eating grubs, the British are not generally in the habit of eating these little creatures. Pub grub simply refers to pub food. The legal drinking age is 18 in the UK.

Spring onions

Spring onions are known as green onions/scallions in America.

Stock cube

If you are adding a stock cube into food to enhance the taste, you will using a bouillon cube.

Take away

If you cannot eat all your meal in the restaurant you may want to take away the rest or call for a "take away" meal. It is the same as take out.

Tin

A tin of beans is the same as a can of beans. Both terms are acceptable and will make you understood in supermarkets.

Now you know what a few words mean, you will be surprised at how a lot of words are spelled differently too. Take for example favour, flavour traveller, centre, and mum (referring to mom). As a general rule, British English tends to make more use of the letter "u" and adds an extra "l" to words, except for the word enrol. So you see, British and American English do contain many differences! Practice before you go and then try your hand at speaking British English while you are in the UK. You are unlikely to come across too many problems on your visit to the UK. You're more likely to receive a big grin and be made to feel very welcome because you have made the effort in using British English!