Re: British v. American Vocabulary (Update)


08 Sep 1995 08:47:36 GMT

jzahn@aol.com (JZahn) writes:

> Anyhow, here is the expanded list I've compiled from your responses:
>
> American British
> -------------- -----------------
>
> raisin sultana

Raisin is a common word in British English too. In the UK a raisin is
a dried red grape, while a sultana is a dried white grape.

> panties knickers
> (Technically, in America, only females usually wear "panties"
> while males wear "undershorts" or "underpants" or "boxer shorts". Is
> there British cognate?)

Underpants (often shortened to pants) is the most widely used term in
the UK. Boxer shorts is also used. I've never heard undershorts over
here.

> diaper nappy (napkin)
> napkin serviette (French?)

No, napkin means the same here as it does in the USA. Serviette, which
is indeed of French in origin, is a (more pretentious) alternative.

> pavement road ?

Yes, or tarmac.

> radio wireless (tranny? maybe your grandparents..;)

I think radio is in fact the most common term in the UK. Wireless
certainly and tranny to a lesser extent have a rather archaic feel.

Geoff Parks