to wonder why the hell

[BelaLugosisShed]

Americans call a fringe "bangs" ?

It makes absolutely no sense at all and makes me unreasonably stabby whenever I hear it.

[Mumofalittlegirl]

And your bum is your fanny. I've never got that one

[5Foot5]

Oh is that what it means? I had somehow always imagined it meant hair in bunches

[Pigsmummy]

Really annoys me, a fringe isn't plural so what's with bloody "bangs"? Bizarre

[Heartbrokenmum73]

Retainer was the one that had me going for years.

A retainer is what we call braces - the ones on your teeth, not for your trousers!

[MaxPepsi]

And biscuits, not choc digestives or hob nobs, but some sort of doughy thing they use to mop up gravy???

[Dobbiesmum]

Here we go
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fringe_(hair)

[MaidOfStars]

From Wiki: The term bangs originally referred to a hair cut bang-off (straight across at the front). The term fringe refers to the resemblance of the short row of hair to ornamental fringe trim, such as that often found on shawls. It is probably related to bang-tail, a term still used for the practice of cutting horses' tails straight across.

[Groovee]

And they call braces that hold your breeks up, Suspenders.

[throckenholt]

I was very puzzled by a novelty fanny paddle when I went to the US aged 18.

I have never like the term bangs either. I have a fringe and on the same trip I had no idea what they were going on about my bands for (come to think of it I don't think I remember anyone ever commenting on my fringe before or since !). I was also puzzled by comments about my Irish eyes

I found the whole trip a bit baffling

Separated by a common language.

[TalcAndTurnips]

I remember watching an American Street Dance competition programme on television a while ago; there was an all-female crew called Fanny Pack.



(it's what we call a bum-bag apparently, but still, )

Some names just don't have international appeal. Car manufacturer Seat - who usually name their cars after cities/towns - were advised not to go ahead with the name Tossa for a new model, fearing poor sales in the UK. Can't think for the life of me why.

[Heartbrokenmum73]

'Not your minge'.

Quick fanny-pack related quote from The Office for any other fans

[Twitterqueen]

Fanny is very very rude.... and it always makes me laugh!

[quoteunquote]

"Can I bum a fag", never fails to amuse anyone from the USA

[BelaLugosisShed]

Saying you could murder a fag does not go down well over there .
Vest for waistcoat is another one, grrrr.

I always thought a bangtail was an old world for a prostitute?

The worst thing has to be ( overheard in Orlando many times) an adult woman to a man "do you need to go potty?" - meaning do you want the toilet. Oh my god.

[LucyGoose]

You all are funny.
And in the US, don't ask where the toilet is, that is rude. its the bathroom (even in a restaurant).

I still go nuts when my MIL asks me what I want for tea. I reply, I don't want any tea, just dinner, thanks

Signed,
A Yank married to a Brit

[LucyGoose]

PS: and your midday meal is LUNCH, not dinner. Now that makes me go "stabby".

[lljkk]

ooh.. you're in trouble now LucyG. Do you know the whole lunch-dinner diff is a class thing here?

[LucyGoose]

lljkk -I know its a class thing that people get very wound up about. Even worse, I am from the US "middle class", my husband is UK "working class" so I hear it all the time....ugh

[mummytowillow]

They call jam jelly to!

[wispywoo1]

I worked in a kids camp and one child was horrified when a colleague told them they were going to the toilets to fill their waterbottles.

yes jam is jelly and jelly is jello
a BBQ is a cookout
grilled food I.e cook from above is broiled in America however grilled cheese is a fried cheese sandwich.
bobbles, knickers and bin have no meaning in America
all forms odd platt (hair) are braids.
you can be very 'tan'. Whereas we say one is tanned.
aubergine is eggplant
an English muffin is like nothing you will ever see England.
a garage is solely to fix cars.
candy includes chocolate.

I could go on all night. We used to have lots of fun arguing between the UK and American staff!

[kansasmum]

Lived in the Midwest for 5 years and had a very interesting conversation with an employee in Home Depot ( like B&Q) - I wanted Polyfilla- spent about 10 miss trying to explain and then he says "Oooooohh you mean SPACKLE!"

SPACKLE??!!

My best friend out there is still recovering from the time I introduced her Marmite and Branston Pickle and I'm still recovering from "Grits"!

[WilsonFrickett]

Oh YYY MaxPepsi those aren't any kind of biscuits I'd want to eat!

I have also been told off for saying 'it's out the back' which apparently means poo. 'It's out back' is acceptable however...

[cocoleBOO]

Ohh is that what broiled means? Well I never.

[GruffBillyGoat]

Try living in a country that cannot decide which is which, seriously even the spelling is at random. All those z's do my head in.

It could be a lift or an elevator, pants and trousers may or may not be the same thing, and fanny could be either one. So frustrating.