English-Language Usage Differences (2010, condo, law)

[f1000]

I just came back from a trip to Hong Kong, I know it's now back with China, but when there are English words, its formalities, street signs, etc. still retain many British-style phrases that interest me, as an American:

* the word "alight." I'm by no means uneducated but I've never heard that word used in North America. It means, to "disembark." It was used in the Hong Kong subway as in "please alight to your left." I didn't know what it meant until I asked my Commonwealth-educated companions!
* the usage of "mind" as in, "mind the gap between subway cars" or "mind the paintwork", as in "watch out!" Of course I understood this one, but it was just used in a context I'd usually not word in such a way.
* the word "overtake" in a driving context, as in "no overtaking allowed on XXX lane"- in the U.S, "to pass" is the equivalent.
* the question "stay here?" when posed after ordering a meal at a fast-food outlet, instead of "eating-in?" or "for here?"". I'm not sure if it's because many Hong Kongers speak English as a second language & so it's word choice, or if I'm overthinking things, overly eager to look for linguistic differences?

There are many other more widely-known differences such as toilet (UK, Australia) vs. washroom (Canada) vs. restroom (US); or trolley (UK) vs. cart (US)....

What are some other, not so obvious English-language words/ phrases that differ from usage & in meaning between the US, Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa & other countries where the English language is prominent?
Out of curiosity, is the addressing word, "Ma'am" widely used elsewhere? I've never heard "ma'am" outside US or Canada (not counting expats or other tourists).

[RH1]

Originally Posted by f1000

I just came back from a trip to Hong Kong, I know it's now back with China, but when there are English words, its formalities, street signs, etc. still retain many British-style phrases that interest me, as an American:

* the word "alight." I'm by no means uneducated but I've never heard that word used in North America. It means, to "disembark." It was used in the Hong Kong subway as in "please alight to your left." I didn't know what it meant until I asked my Commonwealth-educated companions!
* the usage of "mind" as in, "mind the gap between subway cars" or "mind the paintwork", as in "watch out!" Of course I understood this one, but it was just used in a context I'd usually not word in such a way.
* the word "overtake" in a driving context, as in "no overtaking allowed on XXX lane"- in the U.S, "to pass" is the equivalent.
* the question "stay here?" when posed after ordering a meal at a fast-food outlet, instead of "eating-in?" or "for here?"". I'm not sure if it's because many Hong Kongers speak English as a second language & so it's word choice, or if I'm overthinking things, overly eager to look for linguistic differences?

There are many other more widely-known differences such as toilet (UK, Australia) vs. washroom (Canada) vs. restroom (US); or trolley (UK) vs. cart (US)....

What are some other, not so obvious English-language words/ phrases that differ from usage & in meaning between the US, Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa & other countries where the English language is prominent?
Out of curiosity, is the addressing word, "Ma'am" widely used elsewhere? I've never heard "ma'am" outside US or Canada (not counting expats or other tourists).

This sort of thing is being covered quite a bit in this thread: http://www.city-data.com/forum/world...english-7.html

I've never been to Hong Kong so I was interested by your post. The language you've noticed on the tube there, and also terminology like overtaking, is identical to that used here (UK). On the tube you'll here things like "This is Baker st... alight for Madame Tussauds and the Planetarium". You'll also hear "Mind the gap" and it woudln't have occurred to me for a second that "mind" wasn't used in that context everywhere English-speaking!

You would also come across signs on low doorways saying "Mind your head."

Eating in is a funny one. I most often come hear "Are you eating in?" but sometimes also "are you sitting in?" I suspect "Stay here?" may have started as an easier, shorter version overe there and evolved into common usage bubt that's a total guess.

Ma'am - in my experience that's only used to address the Queen, or by foreign waiters.

[f1000]

Thanks for your clarifications, RH1.
Haha, when you referred to the "tube" as in the subway I first thought you meant the television!

[jskc]

i love the differences how we adapt and modernise the english language! i had a look at the link above....we do not call aiports aerodromes!!! lmao i've never even heard of it!! they are AIRPORTS!! lol and we spell it right too!! :P
my partner is from Az and we often get crossed wires wondering what the heck the other is talking about...its so funny!!!

[Sweden]

Oh, the differences... Can you guys understand what you put us who are not brought up speaking English through, trying to learn the differences between American and British English?! As if learning a new language wasn't enough, different words mean different things in different countries and parts of a country, plus there are different words for the same things depending on where you are... Sigh... English-talking people... Sigh...

[TimoMc]

Originally Posted by Sweden

Oh, the differences... Can you guys understand what you put us who are not brought up speaking English through, trying to learn the differences between American and British English?! As if learning a new language wasn't enough, different words mean different things in different countries and parts of a country, plus there are different words for the same things depending on where you are... Sigh... English-talking people... Sigh...

Heres a rule of thumb or a Murphy law sort of speak with the English language. There about 2 - 3 meanings to about every word

[TimoMc]

Originally Posted by RH1

This sort of thing is being covered quite a bit in this thread: http://www.city-data.com/forum/world...english-7.html

I've never been to Hong Kong so I was interested by your post. The language you've noticed on the tube there, and also terminology like overtaking, is identical to that used here (UK). On the tube you'll here things like "This is Baker st... alight for Madame Tussauds and the Planetarium". You'll also hear "Mind the gap" and it woudln't have occurred to me for a second that "mind" wasn't used in that context everywhere English-speaking!

You would also come across signs on low doorways saying "Mind your head."

Eating in is a funny one. I most often come hear "Are you eating in?" but sometimes also "are you sitting in?" I suspect "Stay here?" may have started as an easier, shorter version overe there and evolved into common usage bubt that's a total guess.

Ma'am - in my experience that's only used to address the Queen, or by foreign waiters.

So in UK if I call every lady ma'am. Would they like the gesture of politeness and sincerity.
Or will I get a swift kick in the ?????

[k374]

few more differences:

"dicky" = trunk of a car
"lift" = elevator or can also mean ride as in "give me a lift" = give me a ride
"rubber" = eraser, "can I borrow your rubber" = can I borrow your eraser"

[jskc]

sweden....we like to confuse!! even i as a native brit struggle with language and terms from other regions! i dont envy anyone trying to learn our language!!
Tim...if you call a brit lady ma'am you will get a slight blush, flicker of the eye lashed and a sexy smile...its a sign of respect over here... so if you wanna pull an english lass....thats a good starter lol
i've never heard the trunk of a car called a dicky...to me its a 'boot'! we were instructed years ago by the powers that be that rubbers are more in line with condoms, so as far as i know its only the older generation that might still call erasers rubbers...but i stand to be corrected!
i enjoy listening to people from different parts of the uk, the local slang is so off the wall sometimes that i can see why its not a national thing!

i wanna know who comes up with them in the first place??? answers on a postcard!!

[RH1]

Originally Posted by jskc

Tim...if you call a brit lady ma'am you will get a slight blush, flicker of the eye lashed and a sexy smile...its a sign of respect over here... so if you wanna pull an english lass....thats a good starter lol

I think most people would consider it quite sweet if a little eccentric.

Originally Posted by jskc

we were instructed years ago by the powers that be that rubbers are more in line with condoms, so as far as i know its only the older generation that might still call erasers rubbers...but i stand to be corrected!

Now you see I've been calling them rubbers since I was little and I'm only just past 30 so I don't know if I count as the older generation or not! Only very occasionally do I feel the need to specify "eraser" but this was normally when I was around adolescent boys who would splutter and giggle hysterically. I think generally condoms are condoms. To me "rubber" for that is an 80s phrase, but that might just be me. And if people say "sheath" they'll be laughed out of the building.