Words to not say in England
Pants.
As in "I need new pants." People will wonder why you are telling them you need new underwear. (The correct word is "trousers".)
Motherf***er
(probably censored by Homeland Security) After extensive comparison, this is the only word that is significantly worse in England than in America. OTOH, you can say piss off with total impunity. Or more commonly, "taking the piss": to make fun of someone. (I'm informed that "taking a slash" is peeing.) Oh, and "cock" seems to be much less offensive here.
Confusing words:
Jacket potatos
This is a baked potato. It doesn't have a jacket, it has something stuffed inside. Like cheese or bizarrely enough baked beans. They're very big on baked beans here. So far I have been scared to order the baked bean version.
Crisps
I think these are potato chips, and chips are actually fries. I'm still confused.
Word that are commonly used here:
posh, piss
Favorite phrase so far:
I can't be arsed.
(In Greater England, what MUST I see? There's lots of "in the family since 1300" houses owned by "their Graces the Duke and Duchess of blah". Shouldn't I go find a nice stone circle or something? Are there any hostels in old castles or abbeys somewhere? Preferably near here.)
As in "I need new pants." People will wonder why you are telling them you need new underwear. (The correct word is "trousers".)
Motherf***er
(probably censored by Homeland Security) After extensive comparison, this is the only word that is significantly worse in England than in America. OTOH, you can say piss off with total impunity. Or more commonly, "taking the piss": to make fun of someone. (I'm informed that "taking a slash" is peeing.) Oh, and "cock" seems to be much less offensive here.
Confusing words:
Jacket potatos
This is a baked potato. It doesn't have a jacket, it has something stuffed inside. Like cheese or bizarrely enough baked beans. They're very big on baked beans here. So far I have been scared to order the baked bean version.
Crisps
I think these are potato chips, and chips are actually fries. I'm still confused.
Word that are commonly used here:
posh, piss
Favorite phrase so far:
I can't be arsed.
(In Greater England, what MUST I see? There's lots of "in the family since 1300" houses owned by "their Graces the Duke and Duchess of blah". Shouldn't I go find a nice stone circle or something? Are there any hostels in old castles or abbeys somewhere? Preferably near here.)