Phrases that throw people (but especially Americans) (credit, moving)

[Bideshi]

Originally Posted by Cruithne;

Anybody else got any phrases that people comment on or get you funny looks?

I was a bit surprised when an English "girl" once said: "Come around and knock me up when you've got nothing on.."

[Bideshi]

Originally Posted by CCc girl

Estate=sedan?

No, an estate is what we used to call station wagons.

[Ameriscot]

Originally Posted by P London

Never heard the word used like that and never heard of still game either lol

Well, you don't live in Scotland, do you? It is used both ways here whether the English do or not.

Still Game - Oot (S3 E5) Series 3 Episode 5 - YouTube

First minute of the programme it's used both ways.

[CCc girl]

Originally Posted by Bideshi

I was a bit surprised when an English "girl" once said: "Come around and knock me up when you've got nothing on.."

nothing on I guess means you aren't doing anything? You would have a lot of naked visitors over here. LOL

[f1000]

Just came back from London- 3rd trip

they say "Got" more than Americans...everywhere I heard people say "Got, Got, Got" (Americans are more likely to say "Has" in same context)

"Half-Past/ Quarter After..etc" annoys me because "Just tell the exact time!"

Also grocery product labels are more descriptive- Brits are a wordy bunch!

[dizzybint]

hahaha but it is half past or quarter past... you d be made up coming to Glasgow.... If anyone asks how far to a destination its given in time..... like it ll take you a good ten minute walk...

[P London]

Originally Posted by f1000

Just came back from London- 3rd trip

they say "Got" more than Americans...everywhere I heard people say "Got, Got, Got" (Americans are more likely to say "Has" in same context)

"Half-Past/ Quarter After..etc" annoys me because "Just tell the exact time!"

Also grocery product labels are more descriptive- Brits are a wordy bunch!

Its true, innit!!

[Ameriscot]

Originally Posted by f1000

Just came back from London- 3rd trip

they say "Got" more than Americans...everywhere I heard people say "Got, Got, Got" (Americans are more likely to say "Has" in same context)

"Half-Past/ Quarter After..etc" annoys me because "Just tell the exact time!"

Also grocery product labels are more descriptive- Brits are a wordy bunch!

Or half ten which means half past ten, except in Europe where it means half before ten.

I used half past and quarter till in the US all the time. It's not a foreign thing.

Don't understand the 'got' thing. Not something I've ever noticed.

[in_newengland]

Originally Posted by Ameriscot

Or half ten which means half past ten, except in Europe where it means half before ten.

I used half past and quarter till in the US all the time. It's not a foreign thing.

Don't understand the 'got' thing. Not something I've ever noticed.

We say twelve thirty or quarter past twelve. Ten to twelve. and the Witching Hour, which always meant midnight but maybe that was just my loony family.

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by Ameriscot

I used half past and quarter till in the US all the time. It's not a foreign thing.

My family has always used these expressions too.