Separated by a common language - Understanding English

Nothing’s wrong. Ok? Nothing.

SoVeryBritish

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“We’ll agree to disagree” – this means I think you are 100% wrong but I really don’t care enough to argue.

(Brit)

Sarcasmaholics Anonymous

Well, @themagicspanner, since you’re from the island, “that’s an interesting question” :wink:

To add something that is not a passive-aggressive word or phrase, the hang-up I acquired after living in London for a few years is the British (possibly also Scot & Welsh?) use of the term ‘pants.’ In the US, that’s any kind of trouser. In the UK, it’s underwear. So, be careful if you tell a woman ‘nice pants.’ I still have trouble saying ‘pants’ and revert to ‘trousers’ as a result. I just quizzed my 11yo daughter and she called my slacks ‘trousers.’

Ha.

Its easy for things to get lost/misunderstood in translation. Even in the same language.

@mountainrunner
Never mind pants and slacks… Let us not get near our English Bum Bags - you Americans have NO IDEA!!! (and if you do, keep them to yourselves :slight_smile: Please…)

Not about sarcasm but timely:

Yes - generally in UK ‘pants’ is underwear - male usually. HOWEVER to complicate matters I know several people from the North of England (around Manchester) who call trousers - pants like you would in the US!!!

We are being unspecific. Fellow Britons (and Irish friends); where is your dialect on this handy map?: The British-Irish Dialect Quiz - The New York Times

Mine was the entire Midlands. All of it. From the Wash to Wales :rofl:

What are slacks :thinking:

Trews :wink:

That was fun. Pinpointed me to the Midlands too, though it was interesting to see the words my Irish mother has added to my lexicon.

I also enjoyed discovering a “shellakybooky” is what the residents of Co. Waterford will call a snail.

One multi choice answer narrowed me down to an area of about 20 sq miles which was correct.

#1 “I hear you.”

What’s understood. “I’m already thinking about my next thought and completely ignored what you just said. Also, I’m right ALL THE TIME and this meeting is just a formality.”

#2 “I’m sorry??”

What’s understood: “I didn’t hear/understand you can you please repeat?”

What’s actually meant: “Did you even think about the words that just came out of your mouth? . . . cuz you really should!”

#3 “Cooool! (pause). Cool, cool cool…”

What’s understood: “You’re on the right path.”

What’s actually meant: “Holy eff me this is so stupid I don’t know what to say other than cool.”

Here’s a similar one for 'Mericans: :smile:

  • Hey Man, look at this NP from my last ride.
  • Oh, cool… did you remember to calibrate your pwrmeter? :exploding_head:

Born in Texas and have made it my mission to spread “y’all” to Central Europe.