Here, just for fun, is my definitive guide to Aussie/American translations. Some are obvious and well known from years of exposure to American TV and films; some are minor... and some can just be downright awkward.
I wasn't sure how to classify it on my list, but let's just say that while fanny can be innocent enough amongst Americans, in Australia, we'll think you're referring to your vagina. True. The word fanny pack will still make us double over in laughter.
I had to learn some of these the hard way - cornflour in the US (strictly for baking use) is entirely different to cornflour in Australia. I had a few failed stove-top sauces and soups before I worked that out. I mean, it looked different in the packet (I should have realised then) but so do a lot of things here. Turned out cornstarch is what I needed to thicken things. Thank you, Google and Chowhound.
Then there was the time I spoke to the staff at the leasing office of our apartment complex. We'd been having issues with the kitchen tap, and you should have seen the blank looks I received when I asked for the tap to be fixed. Yes, I knew the word faucet, but I'd completely forgotten about it - this was in the first few weeks here, when I was still getting by on the broken sleep of a newborn.
More recently, every time the Faery's teacher talks about trimesters, I keep glancing at her belly. It's a word I've only ever associated with pregnancy.
Anyhow, the language teacher in me felt the need to compile a list. It's by no means complete - feel free to suggest words that I can add - and I'm not even touching phrases, spelling or pronunciation. Not yet.
(My Australian vocabulary may be Sydney-centric in some examples, as things can vary from state to state - likewise, some of my American examples may be more Californian-speak than general)
I am such a language nerd at times.
A-K
arse - ass
autumn - fall
bill (restaurant) - check
bin - trash
biscuit - cookie
breastfeeding - nursing
bonnet (of car) - hood
boot (of car) - trunk
bubbler - drinking fountain
bum - butt
bum bag - fanny pack
CBD (central business district) - downtown
capsicum - bell pepper
caster sugar - baker's sugar
car park - parking lot
chickpeas - garbanzo beans
cinema - (movie) theater
cornflour - cornstarch
cot - crib
cutlery - flatware
doona (quilt) - comforter
dummy - pacifier
fairy floss - cotton candy
flat/unit - apartment
fringe (hair) - bangs
footpath - sidewalk
g-string - thong
give way (driving) - yield
grill (cooking) - broil
holiday - vacation
hoodie - sweatshirt
ice block - popsicle, ice pop
icing sugar - confectioner's sugar
indicator (car) - signal
jam - jelly
jumper - sweater
kebab (skewer) - kabob
L-Z
lemonade (such as Sprite) - lemon-lime soda
letter box - mail box
lift - elevator
lolly - candy
lollypop person - crossing guard
minced meat - ground meat
mobile (phone) - cell phone
nappy - diaper
notes (dollars) - bills
old-fashioned lemonade - lemonade
overtake (driving) - pass
pedestrian crossing - cross walk
petrol - gas
plain flour - all purpose flour
poo - poop
porridge - oatmeal
postcode - zipcode
pram - stroller
queue - line
rocket (lettuce) - arugula
rockmelon - cantaloupe
rubbish - garbage
sultana - raisin
scone - biscuit
soft drink - soda drink
tap - faucet
teat (on baby bottles) - nipple
term (school) - trimester
thongs - flip-flops
thrush - yeast infection
timber - lumber
tinned (food) - canned
toilet (public) - restroom
toilet training - potty training
tomato sauce (condiment) - ketchup
torch - flashlight
travel cot - playard
trolley (shopping) - cart
tunic - jumper
ute (utility truck) - pickup truck
zed (alphabet) - zee
4WD (4 wheel drive) - SUV
Flatware? Really? Never heard that one.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have always wondered what 'biscuits' were because I think it's a Southern thing that they make 'biscuits and gravy' - in which case, ewww. Scones are to jam and cream, man!
And broiling is actually grilling? I did not know that. Grilled steak = yum! Broiled steak? Not so much.
Love it. Nerd apples don't fall far from nerd trees, it seems...... xxxx
Flatware is an odd one, isn't it? I learnt that one early, in those frequent trips I had to make to IKEA when we were still in the hotel and I needed to stock up and have the basics ready for our move into the apartment.
ReplyDeleteI've only been in KFC once (it's so different and I can't understand the menu, plus their fries sucked - no 'chicken' salt!)... and was baffled when I saw 'biscuits' on the menu. Okay, they're not exactly the same as our scones but they're very similar. One ingredient's difference, I believe. Something to do with yeast? They are intended to be savoury rather than sweet. Quite yummy with gravy.
And I know, 'broiled' hardly sounds appealing, does it? I see it on menus everywhere. It's grilled, as in flame-above type of grilled (think cheese on toast), as opposed to sitting on top of a BBQ grill being cooked from beneath. I just think boiled, though, when I see 'broiled'. Ick.
Bisquick is the scone making thing over there I gather. I know the MIL uses it a fair bit.
ReplyDeleteI have J calling them scones now and he says there is definitely a taste difference. He's very fond of the jam and cream way of things though.
Love that list - very comprehensive.
Bisquik have a range of various mixes. We're big fans of their gluten free pancake mix - it's the best one I've ever had, and you wouldn't even know it's gluten free!
ReplyDeleteOh, thongs = flip flops (I might have missed this somewhere but just thought of it now).
ReplyDeleteWow, they call a teat a nipple? Yet "breastfeeding" is just too out there. Amazing.
How could I forget thongs and that confusion? Brilliant, thanks for reminding me.
ReplyDeleteI know, the irony of being okay with the word 'nipple', but not 'breastfeeding' has not been lost on me. I mean, if you had to choose a word that makes you giggle like a school kid...