Nobby's Easy Translator

[Eichhörnchen]

Divided by a common language? Nonsense: I've concocted this at the suggestion of my transatlantic buddy Joefour, with whom I always correspond easily and amicably.

But differences between UK/European and US English Language usage do occur (Nobby Penfold nearly got thrown overboard in a metal trunk recently by the bilge crew, owing to a misunderstanding).

Could we maybe here create a small resource to which people can contribute or refer when in need of a translation: slang words are most welcome so long as they are distinguished by a (S) and conform to forum rules of propriety (vulgarisms will be subject to the Eichhörnbot but this is scant guarantee of their acceptability). So a faucet becomes a tap, underpants become Y-fronts, trolleys(S), skivvies(S), chodbins(S) or kecks(S). The Editor will arrange entries in alphabetical order until such time as he tires of the whole business...



"Has anybody got a torch?"


NOBBY'S EASY TRANSLATOR
(Disclaimer: the Editor makes no guarantee as to the veracity of any of this rubbish)


US to UK:

absentee ballot: postal vote
absorbent cotton: cotton wool
accommodations: accommodation
acetaminophen: paracetamol
advice columnist: agony aunt
airfoil: aerofoil
airplane: aeroplane
all-purpose flour: plain flour
allen wrench: allen key
alligator clip: crocodile clip
aluminum: aluminium
American plan: full board
anchor(wall): rawlplug
anise: aniseed
apartment: flat
apartment building: block of flats
appetizer: starter
asymmetric bars: uneven bars
automobile: car
baby carriage; stroller: pram
bachelor party: stag night
bachelorette party: hen night
back-up lights: reversing lights
backsplash:splashback
baggage car: luggage van
baseboard: skirting board
basin (wc): sink
bangs : fringe
barrette: hairslide
bathrobe: dressing gown
beet: beetroot
beltway: ring road
bias-ply: cross-ply
bill (cash): note
billboard: hoarding
boxcutter: Stanley knife
bridge loan: bridging loan
broil: grill
broiler: grill
bullhorn: loudhailer
busy (phone): engaged
call collect: reverse the charges
candy: sweets
candy apple: toffee apple
car (train): wagon
carousel: roundabout
carryall: holdall
cell phone: mobile phone
certified mail: recorded delivery
check: bill
check mark: tick
checkers: draughts
checking account: current account
chutes and ladders: snakes and ladders
cinder block: breeze block
clapboard: weatherboard
closet: wardrobe
clothespin: peg
corn: maize
cocktail party: drinks party
coffee with cream: white coffee
common stock: ordinary share
confectioners' sugar: icing sugar
cookie sheet: baking tray
cornstarch: cornflour
cotton candy: candyfloss
cotton swab: cotton bud
counter-clockwise: anti-clockwise
counter top: worktop
court tennis: real tennis
coveralls: boiler suit
cracker: biscuit cookie
crib: cot
crib death: cot death
crossing guard: lollipop lady/man
crosswalk: zebra/pedestrian crossing
cylinder lock: Yale lock
dark chocolate: plain chocolate
defroster: de-mister
dial tone: dialling tone
diaper: nappy
dish towel: tea towel
divided highway: dual carriageway
doghouse: kennel
driver's license: driving licence
dress jumper: pinafore
drop cloth: dust sheet
drugstore: chemist
drunk driving: drink-driving
durable goods: consumer durables
eggplant: aubergine
eighth note: quaver
electrical outlet: power point; wall socket
elementary school: junior school
elevator: lift
Emergency Room (ER): Casualty
eraser: rubber
estimator: quantity surveyor
European plan: room only
expressway: see "freeway"
face card: court card
fanny(S): bum(S)
fanny pack: bum bag
fender: wing
fire company/department: fire service/brigade
fiscal year: financial year
fish stick: fish finger
flashlight: torch
flatbed truck: low loader
flextime: flexitime
freight train: goods train
French fries: chips
freeway: motorway
G.I.: Private Soldier
garbage can: dustbin
gasoline: petrol
gearshift: gear lever (pronounced "leaver")
grab bag: lucky dip
grade crossing: level crossing
green onion: spring onion
green thumb: green fingers
ground (electrical): earth
groundskeeper: groundsman
guardrail: crash barrier
half note: minim
half step: semitone
harbor seal: common seal
hatrack: hatstand
hazard pay: danger money
head of lettuce, a: a lettuce
headcheese: brawn
heavy cream: double cream
homey: homely
hood (automobile): bonnet
hope chest: bottom-drawer
hose (garden): hosepipe
hot flash: hot flush
housing development: housing estate
housing project: council estate
industrial park: industrial/trading estate
inseam: inside leg
installment plan: hire purchase (HP)
instant replay: action replay
Internal Revenue Service: Inland Revenue
Italian ice: water ice
Joe Blow(S): Joe Bloggs(S)
john(S); loo(S)
jump rope: skipping rope
jumper cable: jump lead
knock on wood: touch wood
labor union: trade union
ladybug: ladybird
lavatory: toilet; wc; bog(S); crapper(S); (bleep)-house(S); rumper-dumper(S)
lawn bowling: bowls
lawyer: solicitor
legal holiday: bank holiday
leverage: gearing
license plate: number plate; registration plate
line (of people): queue
liquor cabinet: drinks cupboard
liquor store; package store: off-licence
lit up(S): (drunk): pissed(S); tanked-up(S); rat-faced(S); blotto(S)
lumber: timber
mailbox: postbox/pillarbox
math: maths
median strip: central reservation
milk can: milk churn
mineral spirits: white spirit
model home/house: show home/house
mom/mommy: mum/mummy
monkeyshines: monkey tricks
movie theatre: cinema
muffler (car): silencer
newscaster: newsreader
odometer: milometer
open-pit mining: open cast mining
oven mitt: oven glove
overpass: flyover
pacifier: dummy
pantyhose: tights
parking lot: car park
parochial school: faith school
part (in hair): parting
paved road: metalled road
pay envelope: pay packet
period: full stop
physical therapy: physiotherapy
pissed(S): (angry); cheesed-off(S); pissed off(S)
pinwale: needlecord
plastic wrap: cling film
Popsicle (Trade Mark): ice lolly; lolly
potato chip: potato crisp
private school: public school
public school: State school
public transportation: public transport
punching bag: punchbag
pushup: press-up
quarter note: crotchet
race car: racing car
railroad: railway
railroad tie: sleeper
railroad yard: marshalling yard
real estate agent, realtor(trade mark): estate agent
refuse truck: dustcart
restroom (see "lavatory")
retread: remould
reverse discrimination: positive discrimination
Romaine: cos lettuce
rhinestone: diamante
right triangle: right-angled triangle
row house: terrace house
rowboat: rowing boat
rubber: condom; Jimmy hats(S)
rummage sale: jumble sale
rump roast: silverside
rutabaga: swede
sailboat: sailing boat
sailplane: glider
sandbox: sandpit
sanitary napkin: sanitary towel
scalper: ticket tout
sedan: saloon
self-rising flour: self-raising flour
semi-trailer: articulated lorry
shade: blind
shopping cart: shopping trolley
shoulder (of road): verge
sidewalk: footpath (town)
silent partner: sleeping partner
skeleton in the closet: skeleton in the cupboard
skim milk: skimmed milk
sled: sledge
slingshot: catapult
slipcover: loose cover
slowpoke: slowcoach
smokestack (ship): funnel
smokestack (loco): chimney
snap: press stud
sneakers: trainers
snow pea: mangetout
soccer: football
solitaire: patience
soy/soybean: soya/soyabean
Spackle: Polyfiller
sponge bath: blanket bath
sprinkles (cake): hundreds and thousands
station wagon: estate car
stock option: share option
stovetop: hob
streetcar: tram
stroller: pushchair; buggy
subway: tube/underground
supertitle: surtitle
suspenders: braces
sweater: jumper
switchblade: flick knife
takeout: takeaway
taxi stand: taxi/cab rank
television: telly(S)
tempest in a teapot: storm in a teacup
thermos bottle: vacuum flsk
thumbtack: drawing pin
tic-tac-toe: noughts & crosses
tidbit: titbit
tow truck: breakdown van
tractor-trailer: see "semi-trailer"
traffic circle: roundabout
train car (see "car")
truck: lorry
truck farm market garden
truck stop: transport cafe
trunk (automobile): boot
tube top: boob-tube(S)
turn signal: indicator
turtleneck: polo neck
twelve-gauge: twelve-bore
umbrella: brolly(S)
underground economy: black economy
underpants: underpants; chodbins(S); kecks(S); skivvies(S); trolleys(S); skids(S); boxers(S)
undershirt: vest
unlike: unalike
unlisted: ex-directory
utility pole: pylon
vacation: holiday
vacationer: holidaymaker
valance: pelmet
vest: waistcoat
veterinarian: veterinary surgeon
wading pool: paddling pool
walker: walking frame
wall-to-wall carpeting: fitted carpet
washcloth: face flannel
whole note: semibreve
wholewheat bread: wholemeal bread
windbreaker: windcheater
windshield: windscreen
wrench: spanner
yard: garden
z (letter): pronounced "zed" in UK
zip code: postcode
zipper: zip
zucchini: courgette



UK to US:

accommodation: accommodations
action replay: instant replay
aerofoil: airfoil
aeroplane: airplane
agony aunt: advice columnist
allen key: allen wrench
aluminium: aluminum
aniseed: anise
anti-clockwise: counter-clockwise
articulated lorry (artic): semi-trailer; tractor-trailer
aubergine: eggplant
baking tray: cookie sheet
bank holiday: legal holiday
beetroot: beet
bill: check
biscuit cookie: cracker
black economy: underground economy
blanket bath: sponge bath
blind (window): shade
block of flats: apartment building
boiler suit: coveralls
bonnet (car): hood
boob-tube(S): tube top
boot (car): trunk
borrow: bum(S)
bottom-drawer: hope chest
bowls: lawn bowling
braces: suspenders
brawn (food): headcheese
breakdown van: tow truck
breeze block: cinder block
bridging loan: bridge loan
bum(S): fanny(S)
bum bag: fanny pack
candyfloss: cotton candy
car: automobile
car park: parking lot
Casualty (hospital): Emergency Room or ER
catapult: slingshot
central reservation: median strip
chemist: drugstore
chimney (loco): smokestack
chips: French fries
cinema: movie theatre
cling film: plastic wrap
common seal: harbor seal
condom: rubber
consumer durables: durable goods
cornflour: cornstarch
cos lettuce: Romaine
cot: crib
cot death: crib death
cotton bud: cotton swab
cotton wool: absorbent cotton
council estate: housing project
courgette: zucchini
court card: face card
crash barrier: guardrail
crisps: potato chips
crocodile clip: alligator clip
cross-ply: bias-ply
crotchet (music): quarter note
current account: checking account
danger money: hazard pay
de-mister: defroster
dialling tone: dial tone
diamante: rhinestone
double cream: heavy cream
draughts (game): checkers
drawing pin: thumbtack
dressing gown: bathrobe
drink-driving: drunk driving
drinks cupboard: liquor cabinet
drinks party: cocktail party
driving licence: driver's license
drunk (being): lit up
dual carriageway: divided highway
dummy (for baby): pacifier
dustbin: garbage can
dustcart: refuse truck; roach coach(S)
dust sheet: drop cloth
earth (electrical): ground
engaged (phone): busy
estate agent: real estate agent, realtor(trade mark)
ex-directory: unlisted
estate car: station wagon
face flannel: washcloth
faith school: parochial school
financial year: fiscal year
fire service/brigade: fire company/department
first floor: second floor
fish finger: fish stick
fitted carpet: wall-to-wall carpeting
flat: apartment
flexitime: flextime
flick knife: switchblade
flyover: overpass
football (game): soccer
footpath (town): sidewalk
fringe (hair): bangs
full board (hotel): American plan
full stop (punctuation): period
funnel (ship): smokestack
garden: yard
gear lever: gearshift
gearing (finance): leverage
glider: sailplane
goods train: freight train
green fingers: green thumb
grill (noun): broiler
grill (verb): broil
groundsman: groundskeeper
ground floor: first floor
gun (street): gat(S); piece(S); heat(S)
hairslide: barrette
hatstand: hatrack
hen night: bachelorette party
hire purchase (HP): installment plan
hoarding: billboard
hob: stovetop
holdall: carryall
holiday: vacation
holidaymaker: vacationer
homely: homey
hosepipe: hose (garden)
hot flush: hot flash
housing estate: housing development
hundreds and thousands: sprinkles
ice lolly: Popsicle (Trade Mark)
icing sugar: confectioners' sugar
industrial estate: industrial park
indicator (car): turn signal
Inland Revenue: Internal Revenue Service
inside leg: inseam
Joe Bloggs(S): Joe Blow(S)
jumble sale: rummage sale
jump lead: jumper cable
jumper: sweater
junior school: elementary school
kennel: doghouse
ladybird: ladybug
leave: split(S)
lettuce, a: a head of lettuce
level crossing: grade crossing
lift: elevator
lollipop lady/man: crossing guard
loo(S): john(S)
loose cover: slipcover
lorry: truck
loudhailer: bullhorn
low loader: flatbed truck
lucky dip: grab bag
luggage van: baggage car
maize: corn
mangetout: snow pea
market garden: truck farm
marshalling yard: railroad yard
maths: math
metalled road: paved road
milk churn: milk can
milometer: odometer
minim (music): half note
mobile phone: cell phone
money: cheese(S)
monkey tricks: monkeyshines
motorway: freeway; expressway
mum/mummy: mom/mommy
nappy: diaper
needlecord: pinwale
newsreader: newscaster
note (cash): bill
noughts & crosses: tic-tac-toe
number plate: license plate
off-licence: liquor store; package store
ordinary share: common stock
open cast mining: open-pit mining
oven glove: oven mitt
paddling pool: wading pool
paracetamol: acetaminophen
parting (in hair): part
patience (cards): solitaire
pay packet: pay envelope
pedestrian crossing: crosswalk
peg: clothespin
pelmet: valance
petrol: gasoline; gas(S)
physiotherapy: physical therapy
pinafore: dress jumper
pissed(S): (drunk); lit-up(S)
plain chocolate: dark chocolate
plain flour: all-purpose flour
polo neck: turtleneck
Polyfiller: Spackle
positive discrimination: reverse discrimination
post box: mailbox
postcode: zip code
postal vote: absentee ballot
potato crisp: potato chip
pram: baby carriage; stroller
press stud: snap
press-up: pushup
Private Soldier: G.I.
public school: private school
public transport: public transportation
punchbag: punching bag
pushchair; buggy: stroller
pylon: utility pole
quantity surveyor: estimator
quaver (music): eighth note
queue: line
racing car: race car
railway: railroad
rawlplug: anchor
real tennis: court tennis
recorded delivery: certified mail
registration plate: license plate
remould (tyre): retread
reverse the charges: call collect
reversing lights: back-ip lights
right-angled triangle: right triangle
ring road: beltway
room only (hotel): European plan
roundabout (road): traffic circle
roundabout (fairground): carousel
rowing boat: rowboat
rubber: eraser
sailing boat: sailboat
saloon (car): sedan
sandpit: sandbox
sanitary towel: sanitary napkin
self-raising flour: self-rising flour
semibreve: whole note
semitone: half step
share option: stock option
shopping trolley: shopping cart
show home/house: model home/house
silencer (car): muffler
silverside: rump roast
sink (wc): basin
skeleton in the cupboard: skeleton in the closet
skimmed milk: skim milk
skipping rope: jump rope
skirting board: baseboard
sledge: sled
sleeper: railroad tie
sleeping partner: silent partner
slowcoach: slowpoke
snakes and ladders: chutes and ladders
solicitor: lawyer
soya/soyabean: soy/soybean
spanner: wrench
splashback: backsplash
spring onion: green onion
stag night: bachelor party
Stanley knife: boxcutter; utility knife
starter (meal): appetizer
State school: public school
storm in a teacup: tempest in a teapot
surtitle: supertitle
swede: rutabaga
sweets: candy
takeaway food: takeout; to go
tap: faucet
taxi rank: taxi stand
tea towel: dish towel
television: boob-tube(S); idiot box(S); tube(S)
terrace house: row house
tick (writing): check mark
ticket tout: scalper
tights: pantyhose
timber: lumber
titbit: tidbit
toffee apple: candy apple
toilet: lavatory; restroom
torch: flashlight
touch wood: knock on wood
trade union: labor union
trading estate (see industrial estate)
trainers (footwear): sneakers
transport café: truck stop
tram: streetcar
tube/underground: subway
twelve-bore: twelve-gauge
umbrella: umbrella
unalike: unlike
underground/tube: subway
underpants: shorts(S); tighty-whities(S)
uneven bars: asymmetric bars
vacuum flask: thermos bottle
verge (of road): shoulder
vest: undershirt
veterinary surgeon: veterinarian
wagon (on train): car
waistcoat: vest
walking frame: walker
wall socket; power point: electrical outlet
wallet (for money): billfold
wardrobe: closet
water ice: Italian ice
weatherboard: clapboard
white coffee: coffee with cream
white spirit: mineral spirits
wholemeal bread: wholewheat bread
windcheater: windbreaker
windscreen: windshield
wing (of car): fender
work top: counter top
Yale lock: cylinder lock
z (letter): pronounced "zee" in US
zebra crossing: crosswalk
zip: zipper

[Buddahaid]

Shorts (S), Tighty-whities (S), and I only have a flashlight. Will that do?

[Wolferz]

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

Shorts (S), Tighty-whities (S), and I only have a flashlight. Will that do?

You might wish to get a torch(S) and a brolly(S) to keep in your lorrie.

[Lionclaw]

Originally Posted by Eichhornchen

fawcett becomes a tap

I'm pretty sure it's "faucet", or are you reffering to "Farrah Fawcett"?


Or maybe I'm missing something and everyone is laughing.

[Eichhörnchen]

Thank you for that, Lionclaw. This nicely points up the need for just such a Translator: since faucet is a foreign word to me, I immediately spelled it incorrectly. (Editorial adjustment to follow)

[Schroeder]

US - UK
Cell Phone - Mobile Phone
Lavatory - Sink
Toilet - Lavatory
Freeway - Motorway
Subway - Tube / Underground

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by Eichhornchen

Thanks for that: I will presume that for "sink" (UK) you intended "basin" (US)...

Yep.

[Sailor Steve]

Also on your car/auto, we Yanks call the part that goes over your head the "roof". I'm told you Brits call it the "hood", which can get a little confusing.

One word of advice, though. It you are a British man visiting the USofA never, ever, EVER tell a woman you'll come 'round tomorrow and knock her up.

[Tango589]

US/UK

Spackle/Polyfiller
Anchors/Rawlplugs
Boxcutter/Stanley Knife

[Sailor Steve]

U-Crank just posted an embarrassing moment in that thread involving a train. He used the word "chimney" in that context. I've learned that on a British ship the big exhaust thingy is called a "funnel". Here in 'Murka I've always referred to both as a "smokestack".

[U-15]

Black Country to Rest of World

Bostin (S) has two meanings

As a verb or adverb (my English aye that good), it means an immediate urge for; as in "Bostin for a pint"
As an adjective it means great etc; as in "That was a bostin pint"

[STEED]

Originally Posted by Eichhornchen

US to UK:

gentleman's magazine: bongo mag(S); grumble mag(S)
lavatory: toilet
umbrella: brolly(S)
underpants: underpants; chodbins(S); kecks(S); skivvies(S); trolleys(S)

gentleman's magazine: Porno or Porn Mag
lavatory: toilet; bog; crapper; sh(BLEEP) house; rumper dumper
umbrella: brolly(S) only if your upper class, plain old umbrella for the rest of us
underpants: skivies; skids; boxers

[Rockstar]

Originally Posted by Lionclaw

I'm pretty sure it's "faucet", or are you reffering to "Farrah Fawcett"?


Or maybe I'm missing something and everyone is laughing.

I knew many a teenager who dreamed of wanting to tap fawcett.

[Eichhörnchen]

@ Sailor Steve: noted. I'm not sure what it's called on a loco but it certainly is called a funnel on a ship, as you say. Perhaps August or someone knowledgeable about railways (railroads... there's another one) could set us straight. I've a funny feeling, however, that it is called a chimney. I'll go and check out that thread now myself...

@ Tango: good ones, although I've an idea that the word "spackle" can have a rather less savoury meaning (let's just say you wouldn't want it on your walls).

[StdDev]

In the US: If I went to a bar (pub) and the bar tender refused to serve me I would be pissed!
In the UK, if I went to the pub and they did serve me I would probably get pissed!