I had to do my fair share of adjusting when I moved to England. I survived the culture shock and the beans for breakfast, but it was the whole “You say tomAAAto , I say tomAHto” thing that took a while. If I’m honest, it’s still taking. (Last week I asked a concierge for directions to the rest room. He sent me to the lobby.)
So here we go. For the American novice (i.e., tourist, holidayer, vacationer) traveling to the motherland, a few pointers—because our English, isn’t always that of the Queen.
Bangers (n.) Sausages. As in “Bangers and Mash.” An English meal.
Biscuit (n.) Cookie or Cracker.
Brolly (n.) Umbrella.
Bum (n.) A humorous term for a person’s backside. (Not vagrant.)
Butty (n.) Sandwich.
Cheers (phrase) Drinking toast. Also means goodbye and/or thanks.
Chemist (n.) Pharmacist/Pharmacy.
Chippie (n.) Fish and chip shop. (Chips equals fries.)
Cupaa (n.) A cup of tea.
Football (n.) Soccer.
Gob (slang) Slang for “mouth.”
