10 British Expressions that Americans Find Amusing

I've lived in the US for 12 years and generally consider myself bilingual. I speak American English just as fluently as British English! But there are some American words that I stuggle with and try to avoid using (see my post 10 silly American words) like “bangs” or “rutabaga." I have my pride, after all.

To be fair, there are many British words and sayings which humo(u)r or confuse my fellow Americans.

Just last week, I used the word “slapdash” in a meeting, only to get what I call “the look” from colleagues. Anyone who’s been a traveler in a foreign country trying to make themselves understood knows that look. It infers, “I have absolutely no clue what you are trying to say but I’m going to nod and smile nonetheless.”

Being a communicator at heart, getting “the look” pains me. But at the same time – and with the glass half full – I seize the opportunity to clarify my statement (which can sometimes lead to further hilarity) or, at the very least, educate my audience about the meaning of the expression so that the next time they find themselves in the room with a Brit, they can nod sagely rather than inflicting “the look.”

Here’s a shortlist of some of those British expressions that have caused me to be on the receiving end of “the look”:

• donkey’s years (= a very long time)
• putting a spanner in the works (= throw a wrench)
• and Bob’s your uncle (= and there you have it)
• gone barmy (= gone mad)
• a lotta bottle (= a lot of courage)
• picking up fag ends (= listening to the end of conversations)
• dog’s bollocks (= cat’s meow)
• fancy dress (= costume)
• chuffed to bits (= very pleased)
• gobsmacked (= amazed)

I confess that I also proactively alter the way I pronounce several words here to avoid getting “the look.” For example, I’ll ask for wahder, say tooona (instead of tuna) and ask for tom-ay-to. It pains me but “the look” pains me more.

Meantime, my fellow Americans, here are some useful links to sites to help your English cross the pond: Effingpot – the very best of British, British Sayings/British Words and this great post about 20 British expressions you will never hear in the U.S.

Cheers!

Samantha is a working Mom/Mum, muddling through parenthood, career and life one day at a time with a smile on her face. She also blogs at Keeping The Glass Half Full.