Here are some more British words that we are trying to incorporate into our everyday vocabulary so that we can fit in a little better... have you heard of these before?
Post - the mail. Even in the English "Blue's Clues" TV show they do not sing the "Here's the Mail" song, they sing their own song about the post!
Hen Party/Hen Night - Bachelorette party
Cloakroom- Hall bathroom, normally near the front door of a house
Pram - stroller
Chat show - talk show
Nappy - diaper. This isn't just a slang term, when I buy British diapers they say Nappy on the box.
Cot - crib
Rocket - lettuce. At restaurants you will see sandwich descriptions like this : turkey, tomato, rocket, and cheese. Interesting!
Hoover - vacuum. Yes, even the ones that are not actually Hoover brand are called Hoovers. I went into a local store (similar to a Home Depot) and asked if they carried vacuums. The employee looked a little confused and said, "umm, vacuums? Like, to vacuum?" I said Yes... He still looked confused and then he said, "You mean, hoovers?" yes....lol. Funny how much of a language barrier you find even in an English speaking country!
Press up - push up
pavement or footpath - sidewalk
anti clockwise - counter clockwise.
Mexican wave - the wave, like when you are in a croud and then section by section people will stand up and wave their arms. For some reason they call it the Mexican wave here, though I don't know what it has to do with Mexico.
Goodie/Baddie - the hero and villain of a story, respectively.
coving - crown molding in a house
cold calling - soliciting, you will see signs in neighborhoods that say "NO COLD CALLING"
trolley - shopping cart, or as I like to call it a buggy.
petrol - gas
to nick something - take it
lorries - big trucks, i.e. 18 wheelers.
Hope you enjoy these!
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