Re: Differences between US and UK English (and others....)
[quote author=Eryx_UK link=topic=758.msg14893#msg14893 date=1290172392]
I was incredibly surprised by Buffy the Vampire Slayers use of the term wanker on a prime time show. Over here its a swear word, though a minor one but not something you would hear on a early/mid evening TV. American friends told me that it's not considered a swear word over in the US. I find that rather odd.
Another one that got me was a friend went over to the states a few years ago and got some very odd looks for asking "can I bum a fag?" Which means over here, if you have a spare cigarette can I have one? The term meant somethig very different to his American friends. :-[
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You should watch Married With Children some time. Katey Segal's character, Peg Bundy, was born Peggy Wanker and was originally from Wanker County. In high school they would say, "Peggy Wanker, don't bother to thank her!"
What I find amusing is that just the sound of the word "wanker" can give one a clue as to what it means, but we don't consider it vulgar at all. What we're not allowed to say in polite company or on daytime tv is "jerk-off" or "jack-off." And yet, the popular phrase on Happy Days was "sit on it." :
A recent discovery on my part: US: Bathrobe = UK: Dressing gown
There's a mix around here of "soda" and "pop," but I'd say the greater population, in this area, says pop. It gets on my nerves when people argue about it. They both came from the term "soda pop," so they're both technically "correct." I grew up saying pop, but I use both.
[quote author=Eryx_UK link=topic=758.msg14893#msg14893 date=1290172392]
I was incredibly surprised by Buffy the Vampire Slayers use of the term wanker on a prime time show. Over here its a swear word, though a minor one but not something you would hear on a early/mid evening TV. American friends told me that it's not considered a swear word over in the US. I find that rather odd.
Another one that got me was a friend went over to the states a few years ago and got some very odd looks for asking "can I bum a fag?" Which means over here, if you have a spare cigarette can I have one? The term meant somethig very different to his American friends. :-[
[/quote]
You should watch Married With Children some time. Katey Segal's character, Peg Bundy, was born Peggy Wanker and was originally from Wanker County. In high school they would say, "Peggy Wanker, don't bother to thank her!"
What I find amusing is that just the sound of the word "wanker" can give one a clue as to what it means, but we don't consider it vulgar at all. What we're not allowed to say in polite company or on daytime tv is "jerk-off" or "jack-off." And yet, the popular phrase on Happy Days was "sit on it." :
A recent discovery on my part: US: Bathrobe = UK: Dressing gown
There's a mix around here of "soda" and "pop," but I'd say the greater population, in this area, says pop. It gets on my nerves when people argue about it. They both came from the term "soda pop," so they're both technically "correct." I grew up saying pop, but I use both.
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