Friday, September 23, 2005

Exciting differences in language.

Well, we were excited for a while because Josh was able to register to use the wireless services at New College. Since we are so close to the buildings we can pick up their signal in our room. The last 2 days the signal has been so weak we could not even get on the internet. Supposedly, though, we are finally set up to connect to the intranet. Ummm...That hasn't really happened yet.

So, here I am again stuck in the computer lab...

I am just going to do a quick list of some of the differences I have seen so far in the language. Yes, they do speak English here, though sometimes it is hard to tell!!

American British

bathroom.......................................toilet or WC (water closet)
oven/stove..................................cooker
vaccum......................................hoover (would you like me to hoover your room)
elevator.....................................lift
garbage...................................rubbish ("please bin your rubbish")
apartment...................................flat
vegetables....................................veg (fruits and veg)
eggplant......................................aubergine
zuccini........................................courgette
cookie........................................biscuit
chips...........................................crisps
french fries..................................chips
ground beef.................................mince meat
sharp cheddar................................mature cheddar
doctor's office...............................surgery
pharmacist....................................chemist
gas..............................................petrol
thank you.....................................sometimes 'cheers' or 'alright'
college.........................................University or Uni (NEVER school)
write a paper.................................write an essay
nursery (church).............................creche (pronounced cresh)
baby carriage.................................pram
diaper.........................................nappie
line............................................queue ("are you in the queue?")
thrift store....................................charity shop
sidewalk.......................................footpath
resume.........................................CV (curriculum vitae)
greasy spoon..................................chipper (fish and chips)
pants...........................................trousers
underwear.....................................pants (don't confuse the two!)
"Are you hiring?"............................"Have you got any vacancies?"
(Be careful saying that at the hotel!)

I kept this list over the last couple of days as I thought of things. I wanted to share it with you before the list got lost or too long.

I will try to get pics on here soon!

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