My first week in London has gone pretty smoothly. Other than the cool accents, there are millions of things to love in England. I've gotten use to the tube (the London version of the subway), I've accommodated myself to the accent, and I have even gotten use to seeing a pub every time I turn a corner. The one thing I haven't adapted myself to yet is the language. So here is a list of eight things they say differently in London than they do in America.
1. Cheers.
Unlike the cheers in America, slamming your glass into another's at a bar, cheers in London has numerous different meanings. One of the most common meanings for cheers used in London is the English version of "Thank you" or "Bye." So, next time you buy some shampoo at the convenience store and are told "cheers" at the end of your purchase just remember they aren't congratulating you they are merely saying thank you and have a nice day.
2. You alright?
Next time you are asked "You alright" don't answer it in the sense that Americans would. Furthermore, don't respond saying "Yeah I'm Okay why?" because in England they are probably meaning to say "Whats Up" or "How've you been."
3. Lift.
This is one most of us Americans have probably heard at least once or twice throughout our lifetime. If you aren't familiar with the term lift you may be familiar with the term elevator. Both of them are the same concept just two completely different terms.
4. Pub.
If you are unfamiliar with the term pub, or have never been to one, a pub is summed up as a casual laid back place to hang out and chat with your friends. Unlike in America where the main purpose of drinking is to get drunk, many people who live in London love to hang out at the local pubs throw back a beer and chat about their days with their friends, getting drunk is not a requirement here.
5. Rubbish.
Now this term is probably my favorite of them all and used quite frequently around Britain. Rubbish is most commonly used to describe trash or the garbage can but can also be used as an adjective to describe something you dislike or find unfair.
6. Telly.
Just like rubbish, I have found myself commonly using the word telly instead of television or T.V. now. I enjoy this word because it kind of just rolls off your tongue and it's always funny hearing a large angry British man during the Euro Cup refer to the T.V. as a telly.
7. Crisps and Chips.
Now, being an avid lover of french fries these words took me a little longer to get used to. In Britain, crisps are the term used for American chips while chips are the term used for American fries. The saddest part of it all for me though is the fact that I can't wear my favorite "Fries Before Guys" shirt in London because the British term is chips. The only idea I've heard so far as to fixing my shirt so I can wear it in London is if we decided to make a new shirt with the statement "Chips before..", well I think you get the point.
8. Trolley.
After being in London for two months I'm going to head to the Jersey shore and when I hear the tram car on the board walk announce "watch the trolley please," I'll probably start dodging grocery carts, or at least that's what I think I'll be doing. While the term trolley in America is usually some type of train or rail car, in Britain it simply means cart, like the things we use in the grocery stores (which I have yet to even actually see in a grocery store).
Overall, even with the actual language being the same there are still many language barriers. Before you decide to head out to Britain make sure to read up on the different types of vocabulary words used around here. You don't want to offend a local by using the wrong terms or by using terms that may have a completely different meaning. Be polite and don't forget always make sure to refer to the bathroom as the loo.
