I am not kidding when I say that the English use completely different words than we do in the US. I find myself saying HUH? or listening very carefully to hopefully understand a word using context clues (glad I learned this skill in elementary school). Interestingly, this happens in EVERY conversation I have.
I have already listed some word differences in previous posts, but am going to keep a running list here:
fortnight = two weeks
abscond = run away (do we use abscond in the US? I have NEVER heard this word and was in a meeting about a client who always "absconding," and thought "what the heck is absconding." This is one example in which my context clues trick prevented me from looking like an idiot).
nappy = diaper
buggy = child's stroller
holiday = vacation (I have 4 pro-rated holiday days to use before the end of the "year," which is March 31st. That means I can either go on a 4 day vacation in the next few weeks or roll them over to for next "year" which starts April 1st. If I do that, I will have 29 holiday days for next year!!!! Thats almost 6 full weeks people!!!!
dairy = schedule/planner
lovely, brilliant = great (I PROMISE one of these words are used as a filler word/response-every other word. Therefore, you hear these two words 8 to 10 thousand times a day)
Cheers! = Thanks! (and its not only used for a goodbye "cheers," but for like opening the door for someone or grabbing someone some tea, etc)
Cheeky = loosely translated to mischievous
ADDED 2/25/10
on a tag = house arrest (you know with the attractive bracelet attached to your leg)
primary school = 5-11 y/o school
secondary school = 12-16 y/o school
college = school a teenager attends after secondary school if he/she wants to. Can either get a technical certificate (ie: mechanics, cosmetology, etc) or take courses needed to transfer to university
"uni"/university = college
more to come as I continue to say HUH? (sideways head tilt) in England....
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