“Didn’t I feel gormless, putting salt in my cuppa this morning instead of sugar!” “It’s absolute tosh that Peter O’Toole never won an Oscar!” Here are just a few of the biting terms you might overhear: The land of Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, and Winston Churchill is known for its dry wit and vicious putdowns. The British are not afraid of hurting your feelings-but their insults are so colorful that you somehow don’t mind. LPG: The pronounceable nickname for the Welsh town of Llanfairpwll-gwyngyllgogerychwyrndrob-wllllantysiliogogogoch.The Scottish capital was famously smoky and stinky in the 17th century, and although it smells much better today, the nickname stuck. Auld Reekie: A term of endearment for Edinburgh.Medieval Ireland had numerous convents and monasteries, home to some of Europe’s most learned men and women. Just nod your head and agree that, aye, The Dubs is beautiful this time of year. You can avoid looking like a bumbling tourist when you hear these words out in the wild. They somewhat resemble jelly sandwiches, particularly if you’re hungry.īritish Nicknames for Cities and Countriesīrits love a good nickname, including places around the UK. Certain British police cars are painted white or grey with a bright orange stripe running down the side. It would mean the Queen was at home, likely dressed in something fabulous paired with pearls and smart yet sensible shoes! (Read Travel Packing Tips) One would be quite chuffed, for example, if they saw the Union Jack flying during their tour of Buckingham Palace. Ring your mates, ring the chip shop, ring your work to tell them you’ve got tickets to the footy match and won’t be in ‘til Monday. The beautiful game is virtually a national religion. Footy: Soccer, known here as football.The forehead sweeping hairstyle favored by Jackie Kennedy, Farrah Fawcett, and Liz Taylor’s fabulous version of Cleopatra. They say Jam Sandwich, we say police car. The UK and America are two nations divided by a common language. Synonyms for British Words Americans Don’t Understand It was blowing a hooley when Hagrid first told Harry Potter he was a wizard. It’s Blowing a Hooley: A storm with intense winds.They have only been used successfully as a flying apparatus by one practically perfect individual, so we suggest relying on them for rain protection only. Wellies: Wellington boots, the tall rubber rain boots used for traipsing through the countryside.Mac: A raincoat, specifically a waterproof Mackintosh.And if it’s sunny, they’ll talk about nothing else! If it’s the normal gray and drizzly, they’ll have plenty of say. Served between breakfast and lunch, around 11 in the morning, elevenses is not brunch.īrits love nothing more than chatting to strangers about the weather. Elevenses: A hobbit-approved light snack break of coffee, tea, and biscuits.Ask for “streaky” if you want the fragrant, crispy breakfast staple. Rashers: Slices of cured ham.If you order rashers, you might or might not get what Americans consider bacon.“Cuppa” is never used for anything but the national drink. One key thing to remember is that you don’t go to the local, you go down the local. The Local: The friendly neighborhood pub that not even the smallest villages are without.From Treacle Tart to Knickerbocker Glory, pudding is the perfect end to a great meal. Cheetos are called “puff snacks,” and Doritos are called “Doritos.” They’re usually thick-cut and served with malt vinegar. This guide will help you keep your wits during mealtimes: Fries are chips, chips are crisps, cookies are biscuits, and cake is pudding. Hungry Americans traveling in Britain might feel a bit like Alice in Wonderland. Learn how to navigate this foreign land with just a few common British English words and phrases:Ĭheck out London and Paris vacation packages for the immersive experience! British Words for Food From insults to compliments, technical talk to slang, there’s plenty to confound those of us from across the pond. While Americans and Brits technically speak the same language, all it takes is five minutes down the local to realize that theirs is a very different form of English.
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