Common words and phrases the British say that the average American doesn’t.
My family and I moved from the mid-western State of Indiana all the way across the ocean to the United Kingdom. As most Americans find out when they travel overseas, our ears were not used to certain words and phrases we were hearing.
The United Kingdom speaks English, which is what we thought we spoke too. We soon discovered that we spoke fluently in American, but not British English. Since then, we’ve learned to adapt and use more British words and phrases. We are still learning but here are some of the top ones.
Americans have heard most of these words before but they don’t commonly use them. Not unless they are trying to be eccentric or just showing off. These words are almost a dead give away that you are in the presence of a British citizen.
Posh- The first time I heard this word was from the movie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The grandfather served in the British military and was singing about a posh life. I remember thinking I had no idea what he was talking about. American’s would say fancy, expensive, or nice.
Fabulous- when you’re an American you would only think to use this word if something was literally the best thing that’s happened to you all year. It would be used in the most exuberant moment of happiness. But for the British it’s used as common as an American saying, “great” or “awesome.”
Well done- Americans would just say “great job.” Well done, just doesn’t roll off naturally on an American’s tongue, unless they’re referring to how they’d like their steak cooked.
Lovely- an American might use this word if they’re looking at a delicate flowery ornament, but the British use this word for things from the weather to how their cup of tea tastes. Americans would say beautiful, cute, or nice.
Darling- the first time I heard this word was from the movie Peter Pan and Wendy’s father called his wife Darling. Other than that I never heard it in the real world. In the U.K. darling is a very common term for endearment towards children and your significant other.
Tomato,tomato- the British also say other words differently. The spelling may be the same but the pronunciation is as if there never was an “exception” to the rule. Everything is pronounced exactly how it is spelled. Tomato is pronounced “toe-mah-toe” not “toe-may-toe.” Vitamins is said with a short I sound instead of the long I sound. Fillèt is pronounced fill-it, not fill-ay.
Rubbish- Americans have garbage cans, garbage trucks, trash cans and occasionally recycling cans. The average American has all of their trash taken every week. The U.K. has rubbish bins and recycling bins, and they do very well in keeping them separated. Their bins are only taken every other week and they are half the size of the trash cans in America.
Whilst- the average American would be surprised this word is still being used today. The last time they would’ve used it was from reading a Shakespeare book out loud from their high school literature book.
Queue- if you’ve been to Disney world where a British person might be on holiday, you might have been asked, “are you in queue?” (pronounced like the letter Q) This, simply put, means “are you in line?” Some have joked that the British love to be in queue. If there is a queue they will join in because there might be a good thing at the end of it.
Quite- this is an added adjective the British like to use. You are quite right. That is quite all right. I don’t quite like that. Americans would use really. “I don’t really like that.”
Toilet- “I need to use the toilet.” The first time I heard this, I actually thought the person was being crude. But I soon found out that the toilet is what Americans call the bathroom. The British don’t say bathroom at all, because most toilets don’t even have a bath. Nor do they call it a restroom, because you hardly get any rest there.
Fancy- Americans would use this for something that is exquisite or rich. The British use it in place of like. “I’d fancy a piece of pie.”
As well- the British take the word too, and replace it with as well. “I’d like to go to the park as well.”
Cheers- Americans use this word when making a toast, but the British use this word commonly just to say a general thank you.
Cheers for taking the time to read this article whilst you were scrolling through Facebook or our website page. I hope you quite liked it and didn’t think it was complete rubbish. It’s been lovely learning a new culture and I’d love to hear any comparisons you’ve learned between the British and American English as well!