h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Okay, I guess we can start the dictionary discussion here.

So far we've got:

UK chips = US french fries/steak fries
UK crisps = US chips

We're on a roll now!

I think these are right:

UK handbag = US purse
UK purse = US coin purse (or is it money purse? I forget)
UK jumper = US sweater (though "sweater" would be understood in the UK)
UK petrol(eum) = US gas(oline)
UK Leicester = US Lie-cess-ter

Incidentally, I've no idea what I'm doing here; I clicked on one of the busiest conversations on the front page and ended up somewhere with only one post.

Bookmarking...


(Won't add to the confusion by telling that in Danish "Franske kartofler" (French potatoes) is US chips/UK crisps )

hey, bagpuss! welcome
we're trying to bridge the english/english language barrier.
thanks for you input, feel free to chime in any time.

i think what you're referring to as a coin purse is now called a wallet, or at least in my part of the country it is. coin purse is a somewhat antiquated phrase, at least i haven't heard it in more than 20 years.

now let me see if i have this right:
uk- trousers = us- pants (or slacks)
uk- pants = us- underwear
uk- knickers = us- women's underwear

I think a coin purse could be a change purse ... you won't find a man carrying anything called a purse, though ...

And cars:

UK boot = US trunk
UK windscreen = US windshield
UK bonnet = US hood

Hi Bagpuss!

I think you'll find the busier conversation around here is the one with the jacuzzi and strawberry dacquiris ...

Okay, my starters:

UK Pavement = US Sidewalk
UK Flat = US Apartment
UK Aeroplane = US Airplane (not that that takes much translation)

and what is a 'condominium'?

UK=Garage-US=Car hole sorry, it said so in the Simpsons HEHE
Oh, and Ottox should be moderated for using Danish
Ab

it's a small durex

A condominium is an apartment that you own ...

What's a durex?

oh, and of course:

UK Lift = US Elevator
UK Underground = US Subway
UK Subway = ? (a pedestrian tunnel or underpass)
UK Brake Van = US Caboose

Durex is a brand name for condoms (made until recently by the London Rubber Company) over here at any rate, though I remember the plastic tumblers provided at school were also so-branded, much to our amusement.

I'm sooooo slow, I've only just got that, ab!

UK lorry (sp?) = US truck
UK plaster = US bandaid
UK rubber = US eraser
UK durex = US rubber
UK biscuit = US cookie

Oh, I just remembered, the floors in buildings are numbered different, also ...

UK randy = US horny
UK lager = US beer
UK bitter (a type of beer) = US I don't think you have it there
UK football = US soccer
UK Motorway = US freeway/Interstate
UK toilet = US restroom/bathroom
UK soft drink = US soda
UK promenade = US boardwalk

And I am going to get in so much trouble for this one when PF or ab give Shea a proper translation....

US baseball = UK rounders

*GD runs away and hides*

Your in deep deep smegola now GD

*reads about Durex and decides not to be so coy in his postings...*

UK w*nk (where * means "a") = US jerk off

*runs away again, cos Shea will still kill him for the rounders reference*

US Football = UK (and to be frank the rest of the World) American Football

Rounders is *NOT* baseball!!!!!!!

And soda isn't called soda all over the US ... it's also called pop and tonic ...