Proper English to Lazy American English dictionary

[RichardA]

We buy petrol in litres but measure fuel consumption in mpg.

Some more UK->US (general):

Spanner -> wrench
Trousers -> pants (pants in the UK would normally mean underwear)
Nappy -> diaper
Sliproad -> exit/entrance ramp
B road -> rural road
car park -> parking lot
silencer -> muffler
dual carriageway -> divided highway
motorway -> highway or freeway

[guest3312]

more general differences

waste basket/trash can
flat/apartment
flat mate/room mate
banger/sausage(or old beat up car)
biscuit/cookie
poofter/mx-5 miata driver
 
and, lets not forget "table" and how to "table a proposal" means the total opposite here than it does there.

[chrisc]

Your poofter definition is not quite right

In SA, a poofter would be called a "moffie"

(Not to be disparaging to our trans-sexual members or colleagues)

[guest3312]

i was under the impression that "poofter" was a derogatory term for a man who was either homosexual OR acted in less-than masculine ways. Hmm. Figure you watch Priscilla Queen of the desert enough times, you start understanding these things.
Well, either way, it was meant to be a joke and in no way meant to put down any one(other than miata drivers((actually, i do quite like that car myself but know i'd never hear the end of it here in the states)).
Dropping subject now.

[guest2765]

i was under the impression that "poofter" was a derogatory term for a man who was either homosexual OR acted in less-than masculine ways.

that is true, havent heard anyone use the word in a while now, since people are much more civilised and less homophobic now it seems cant stand those who arent accepting of others for who they are (unless there is damn good reason...aka the people who shouldnt be in society because its not safe with them - murderers, rapists, peadophiles, etc)


although "poof" was used more than "poofter" tbh.

[guest3312]

right. over here in the states the word "gay" is still used as is "fag" however they do not have any relation to homosexuality any more.
basically if some one says "hey guy, stop being gay" it more or less means stop being dumb/annoying
and "fag" simply refers to inconsiderate jerks. there was recently an episode of the Comedy Central show 'Southpark' that explains this further.
so, want to clarify again. I was merely trying to poke fun at miata owners, not insult anyone based on sexual preferences.

[guest2765]

the words "gay" and "faggot" are not really used in relation to speaking to a homosexual in 99% of cases they refer to dislike of things or people or situations instead

[RichardA]

Regarding the use of American English in the forums I take the same view as with spelling and grammar, in that as long as the intended message is clear and not misleading than I'm quite relaxed over the issue.

[chrisc]

Says he, flopping his limp wrist about...