Speaking American

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: we might speak the same language but there are soooo many differences in pronunciation and words/phrases.

Let’s forget the pronunciation because we would be here for days listing all the little (and sometimes huge) differences in how Americans and Brits pronounce the same word.

Instead I’ll just point out a few differences in terminology:

Cell Phone vs. Mobile Phone

Mostly mobile these days – pronounced mo-bile, not mo-bull. At first I felt like a complete tool pronouncing it the way the Brits do but it had to be done. I still slip up sometimes, in the US and in the UK, and get temporarily confused as to how to properly pronounce it. It comes out something like “mo-by-be-uhhh-blah. My phone!”

Call vs. Ring

I use both but probably “call” more. With so many British phrases I feel like a pretentious idiot trying to use them.

Take out vs. Takeaway

I always had this vision of living in an artsy loft in NYC, working as some super creative professional, and on my way home, I would call my boyfriend to suggest we get take out – the kind that came in those little white boxes. Take out will always have a special place in my heart.

Now, “to go” is a different story. Whenever I say this in the staff canteen at work, the lunch ladies get even more confused than they already are and I end up using my hands to gesture towards the door. It would be easier to use “take away,” I’ll admit.

Braids vs. Plaits

They are braids to me and always will be. I understand though that some people in the Deep South say plaits so maybe that’s not a British thing? I think it comes back to the pronunciation thing again though (plates vs. platts) so if you ask me, it’s easier to call ‘em braids.

Pants vs. Trousers

Pants are underwear in the UK. So if you say “Oooh, it’s cold out. I should have worn pants today” you’ll get a lot of funny looks. My Irish friend says pants so sometimes when we’re talking, she’ll say, “I was wearing those grey pants, er, trousers” and I’ll smile and we both understand. We can speak pants freely.

Butt vs. Bum

While bum definitely sounds more polite, I just can’t switch over. No buts about it!
(OMG, you guys! There is a how-to article on “How to do a sarcastic laugh.” This is heartbreaking.)

Sweetie or Honey vs. Darling

I don’t actually use any of these terms of endearment but if I did, I’d use the more American ones – sweetie and honey. In my accent, ‘Darling’ reminds me of the middle child in Roseanne. Not good.

Cash register vs. Till

Till? Never have, never will.

Dishsoap vs. Washing up liquid

I think I use them both. I don’t know. I try not to think about doing the dishes.

Laundry vs. Doing the washing

Laundry. For some reason when I hear “I need to do my washing” or “I have washing to do” I imagine women hunched over washing boards with a bar of soap. Plus scented candles wouldn’t sell as well if they were called “Fresh washing.”

Store vs. Shop

I shop at a store. I might say “go to the shop” if I am actually talking about a little, specialized store but it’s more natural for me to use “store”. In America, I usually just say where I’m going. Target, Giant, Nordstrom, TJ Maxx, Bath & Body Works, the mall. You get the idea. (Can I get a moment of silence while I think about these stores?)

Bathroom vs. Toilet

I can’t stop saying “bathroom.” I realize I’m not actually looking for a bath but I struggle to say toilet. It sounds vulgar. It always surprised me to see a “TOILETS” sign in restaurants. I don’t want to think about a toilet while I’m eating my dinner. Powder room, Ladies’ room, restroom, bathroom. Any of those will do.

“Loo” is a definitely a nicer way to refer to it but it doesn’t sound natural when I say it. I like it though.

There are so many terms for the bathroom that I just can’t bring myself to use. Don’t even get me started on the term “bog roll.”

(Have you ever looked up “toilet” on Wikipedia? They are so specific with what people use toilets for.)

About the word “gotten”

I don’t really get why Brits have such a problem with this. They don’t object to forget/forgot/forgotten, so why get/got/gotten? If it was good enough for Shakespeare, it’s good enough for me. Any Brits reading this? Please explain yourself.

Swear words and name-calling

My swearing is still very American. Bugger and bollocks and shite just sound ridiculous when I say them. But I do love all the different British swear words/insults.

Idioms derived from American baseball

I’ve been known to say a few of these. Cover all bases, ball park figure, step up to the plate, etc. I also say “He dropped the ball” – is that baseball? I never caught the ball when I played so I’m a bit clueless.

At any rate, these idioms may be used occasionally by Brits (and usually always understood) but they are most definitely American phrases. The baseball metaphor I am asked about the most is “bases.” I’ve done my best to explain first, second and third base. Striking out, batting for the other team, the list goes on.

Oh, it’s times like this when I feel most proud to be American.