You may think that folks will be able to understand what you mean, if you use 'funny words' in weird contexts - but just because you can work out what they are saying doesn't mean it's reciprocal!
As Winston Churchill once said....."We are two nations divided by a common language"
This list has come about following a series of sometimes embarrassing and always hilarious situations when SA or UK English speaking folks live in the USA. I hope that you enjoy the humorous way in which I have experienced the use of The Queen’s English and South African English in America! Asking for certain things in a store can be a harrowing experience as many items are called completely different names. Please feel free to send us ones you have found! info@southafricansincharlotte.org
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UK or SA ENGLISH |
AMERICAN (mostly in the South!) |
|
Invigilator; to invigilate or I am invigilating this test |
Proctor: to proctor or I am proctoring this test |
|
Boot (car) |
The trunk |
|
Hooter |
Horn (hooters are not used in polite conversation as they refer to the word below) |
|
Breasts or Boobs |
Hooters |
|
Hoot |
Honk |
| Yell & Scream |
Hoot 'n Holler |
| Pigeon Hole (in a classroom) |
Cubbie - space or shelf in a classroom where a student keeps belongings |
|
Cubby Hole (in a car) |
Glove compartment |
|
Lift |
Elevator |
| "Super" (That's super!) |
"Great!" (super refers to super-size!) |
| Pop In (visit) "I'll just pop in to see you!" |
"I'll Swing by you" - pop is what corn does!! |
| Soft Drink |
Soda, Pop, Coke |
| Soda |
Club Soda or Seltzer |
|
Pavement (to walk on) |
Sidewalk |
|
The road or tarmac to drive on |
Pavement |
| Baby's or Amish woman's Hat |
Bonnet |
| Hired car |
Rental car |
|
Bonnet |
Hood (of a car!) |
|
Bumper |
Fender |
|
Panel Beater |
Body Shop – have no idea what a panel beater is!! |
| Parts (as in for a car or machine) |
Spares |
|
Spare(s) |
One bowling pin left standing! |
| Strike (cease work) |
Knocking all the bowling pins down |
|
Telephone Directory |
Phone Book |
|
Full stop (punctuation) |
Period |
| Period (menstrual period) |
Period |
|
Inverted comma’s |
Quotation marks |
|
Brackets (punctuation) |
Parentheses |
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Exclamation Mark |
Exclamation Point |
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Tracksuit |
Sweats |
|
Arrive late |
Tardy |
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Takkies (SA)or Running Shoes (UK) |
Sneakers or Tennis Shoes |
|
Seedy or undesirable |
Tacky |
|
Torch
Olympic flame / Garden Torch |
Flashlight
Torch |
|
Electric Razor
What the barber uses with a brush and foam! |
Electric Shaver
Razor / Cut-throat |
|
Guillotine |
Paper trimmer |
|
Old French form of execution |
Guillotine |
|
Celsius |
Fahrenheit – Only 2 other countries in the world still use this – Liberia and Myanmar (Burma) |
|
Celtic (pron. keltic) as in Scots or Irish origin |
Celtic (pron. Seltic) |
|
Supermarket |
Grocery Store |
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Chemist / Pharmacy |
Drugstore or pharmacy |
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Lab scientist / technician |
Chemist |
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Garden furniture |
Lawn Chairs |
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Bottom / bum |
Fanny / Butt / Ass / Behind |
|
Fanny |
Vagina |
| Moon Bag |
Fanny Pack |
|
Handbag |
Purse |
|
Purse or wallet |
Wallet or Pocket book |
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Jelly |
Jello |
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Jam / Preserve |
Jelly |
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Tartan |
Plaid |
|
Pudding |
Dessert |
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Estate Agent |
Realtor |
|
Turnover (amount of income per year) |
Turnover (Staff Turnover) also a fruit filled pastry dessert |
|
Excess (as in an insurance policy) |
Deductible |
|
Robot |
Traffic Light |
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Centre Island (on a road) |
Median |
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Under the influence (driving) |
Driving While Impaired (DWI or DUI) |
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Christmas Holidays |
“The Holidays” – more politically correct to incorporate all the religions who celebrate holidays at this time of year as in “Happy Holidays” never Happy Christmas!!! Rather Merry Christmas! |
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Going on Holiday |
Going on Vacation |
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Kilometers |
Miles |
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Beauty Salon |
Spa |
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Anaesthetist |
Anesthesiologist |
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General Practitioner (GP) |
Family Doctor |
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Bakkie (SA) or Van (UK) |
Pick-up truck or truck |
| Truck / Lorry / Pantechnikon |
18 wheeler / horse & trailer |
|
Trolley (supermarket) |
Cart |
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Flag |
Banner or flag |
|
Lunch Break at school |
Recess |
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Dungarees |
Overalls |
| Overalls |
Coveralls |
|
Coffin |
Casket |
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Cinema |
Movie House / movie theatre |
|
Two seater couch /sofa |
Loveseat |
|
Guest Loo at home |
Powder Room |
|
Loo / Lavatory/ Toilet |
Bathroom / Restroom |
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Lounge Suite (pr.sweet) |
Lounge Suite (pr.suit) |
|
Route on a map (pr. root) |
Route (pr. Rowt) |
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Film |
Movie |
|
Jersey / Cardigan / Jumper |
Sweater |
| Pinnafore |
Jumper - sleeveless dress with a blouse worn underneath |
|
Vest |
Under shirt |
|
Waistcoat |
Vest |
|
Glasses / Spectacles |
Eye Glasses |
|
Garage (emphasis on the 1st “a”) |
Garage (pr. Garaaage) |
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Sitting Room |
Parlor / Family Room / Living Room |
|
Play soccer / baseball |
Play ball |
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Chopper |
Axe |
|
Helicopter |
Chopper |
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Scone (pron. Scon) |
Biscuit |
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Biscuit |
Cookie |
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Sleep |
Nap |
|
Serviette |
Napkin |
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Napkin or Nappy (baby) |
Diaper |
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Pram |
Stroller / Baby Carriage |
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Dummy |
Pacifier |
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Sticky Tape / Cello tape |
Scotch Tape |
|
Polyfiller (white stuff for holes in walls) |
Spackle |
|
Garden (around a house) |
Yard |
|
Veggie garden |
Garden |
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Stand / Erf (as in property) |
Lot |
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Door Handle |
Door Knob |
|
Cupboard |
Closet |
|
Plait (as in hair) |
Braid |
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Minibus |
Van |
|
4 x 4 |
SUV |
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Verandah / Stoep |
Porch or stoop |
|
Aerial |
Antenna |
|
Project |
Assignment |
|
Class teacher |
Advisory |
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Naught (0) |
Zero (never heard of naught in this context!!) |
|
Nothing (as in ‘came to nothing’ or naught) |
Naught |
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Pre-school or Grade 0 |
Kindergarten |
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Chips (hot) |
Fries |
|
Chips (Packet) |
Chips/ crisps |
|
Math’s (as in Mathematic's) |
Math |
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Bread Roll |
Bun |
|
Bond |
Mortgage |
|
Access Bond |
Equity Line is the closest thing |
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Renovate |
Remodel / Rehab |
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Off Ramp |
Exit |
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Highway |
Beltway / Freeway |
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Deposit |
Down Payment |
|
Flat |
Apartment or Condo |
|
Townhouse |
Condominium / townhouse |
|
Cluster Home |
Townhome |
| Marquee (a tent for an event or wedding) |
Tent |
| The large illuminated sign above an old movie theater with big letters of what's showing! |
Marquee |
| Duvet (goes inside the duvet cover) |
Duvet Comforter |
| Duvet Cover |
Duvet |
| Comforter |
Bedspread |
|
The Post |
The Mail (signs are posted!!) |
|
Put up a sign |
Post (referring to a sign about no entry or police line – do not enter – as in “this sign is posted”) |
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Ten Cents |
Dime |
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Five Cents |
Nickel |
|
One Cent / Penny |
Penny |
|
Foyer / Entrance Hall |
Hallway |
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Bath |
Tub |
|
Jacuzzi Bath |
Garden Tub |
|
Jacuzzi (outdoors) |
Hot Tub / Spa |
|
Stairs |
Staircase - the Stairwell is the space under the stairs. |
|
Vase (pr. Vaaze) |
Vase (pr. Vayze) |
|
Curtains |
Drapes |
|
Rods, rings and rails (for curtains) |
Hardware |
|
Standing Lamp |
Floor Lamp |
|
Side Table – living room |
End Table |
|
Bedside Table |
Night Stand |
|
Vice (used to grip things in a workshop) |
Vise (pron. Vice but spelt with an “S”) |
|
Vice (as in vice squad) |
Vice (as in vice squad) |
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Bannister |
Handrail |
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I’m finished |
I’m done |
|
I’m fine |
I’m good |
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Pardon ? |
Excuse me ? |
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It’s a pleasure! |
You’re welcome! My Pleasure! |
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Anti-clockwise |
Counter-clockwise |
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Dressing Gown |
Robe |
|
Spanspek / Sweet melon |
Cantaloupe |
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Courgette or Baby Marrow |
Zuchini |
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Naartjie |
Tangerine |
|
Aubergine or Bringal |
Egg plant |
|
Sosatie |
Kebab |
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Paraffin |
Kerosene; Parraffin; Wax |
|
Fuel / Petrol |
Gas |
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Oil Change |
Lube |
|
Fire Engine |
Fire Truck |
|
Fire Station |
Fire House |
| Fire Brigade |
Fire Department |
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Jersey |
Jumper |
|
Moonbag |
Fanny Pack |
|
Penultimate |
Unknown expression in the US |
|
Doctors Rooms |
Doctors Office |
|
Migraine (pr. Meegrain) |
Migraine (pr.maigrain) |
|
Deputy Mayor |
Mayor Pro Tem |
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School bag, suitcase or satchel |
Book bag |
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Sucker |
Lollipop |
|
A Gullible fellow / Loser |
Sucker |
|
Sweets |
Candy |
|
Candy Floss |
Cotton Candy |
| Starter / Entrée |
Appetizer |
|
Main Course |
Entrée |
|
Diary |
Planner or Calendar |
|
Journal |
Diary |
|
Ghetto blaster or portable stereo |
Boom box |
|
APS film |
Advantix |
|
Koki Pens |
Markers or Sharpies |
|
File (for documents) |
Binder |
|
Radiologists |
Imaging center |
|
Stationery shop |
Book store |
|
Haberdashery shop |
Sewing Supplies (Never heard of haberdashery!! Used to refer to a mens clothing store in the US , but now it's an old fashioned term) |
|
Cutlery or Silver |
Flatware or Silverware – even if it’s plastic!! |
|
Crockery or Dinner Service |
Dinnerware |
|
Car |
Vehicle (pr. Vee-hickle) / Automobile |
|
Cooler box |
Cooler |
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Bedspread |
Bed Cover |
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Pillowcase with border around the pillow area or Continental pillow |
Sham / European pillow |
|
School Report |
Report Card |
|
Teachers or Staff at a school |
Faculty - all teachers at the school |
|
Faculty of Arts (university) |
School of Arts |
|
Go to University |
Go to school or College |
| School |
Elementary, Middle & High School |
|
College or University |
All tertiary institutions are referred to as “school” |
| Number plate |
Tag or License tag / plate |
|
Post Graduate student |
Grad student or “I am at Grad school” |
| Zebra Crossing |
Pedestrian Crossing |
|
Changing Room |
Locker room |
|
Tap (in the sink or bath or garden) |
Faucet |
|
Tippex |
White–Out or Liquid Paper |
|
Power Failure |
Power - out |
|
Electricity |
Power |
|
Electricity, water, sewer, waste etc |
Utilities |
|
Spade |
Shovel |
|
Call Box |
Phone Booth |
|
Inquiries (pron. “Ink-wire-rees”) |
Inquiries (pron. Inkwirries) |
|
Qatar -Mid Eastern country (pron. “kwa-taar”) |
Qatar (pron. “gutter”) or "kuh-tar" |
| Reverse Charges (phone) |
Call Collect |
| Rocket (salad) |
Arugula |
| Condom |
Rubber |
| Rubber (to remove pencil) |
Eraser |
| Rubbish (bin) |
Garbage / Trash (can) |
| Spanner |
Monkey Wrench |
| Stroppy (difficult person) |
PIA! (pain in the ass) |
| Zed (Z) |
Zee (Z) |
| Firefly |
Lightnin' Bug |
| Lady Bird |
Lady Bug |
| Lay-by (on a highway) |
Rest Area |
| Lemon Juice (as in Orange Juice) |
Lemonade |
| Lemonade |
7-Up or Sprite |
| Perspex |
Plexiglass |
| Queue (stand in a queue) |
Line (stand in a line) |
| Duvet Cover |
Comforter |
| Elastoplast |
Band Aid |
| Dodgy |
Suspect |
| Gear Box |
Transmission |
| Green Fingers |
Green Thumb |
| Grotty |
Trashy |
| Handbrake |
Emergency Brake |
| Gear Lever |
Gear Shift or Stick Shift |
| Hand Luggage |
Carry-on baggage |
| Rent (a property) |
For Rent |
| For Hire (car or furniture) |
Rental |
| Coupé - 2-door car (pron. coop-pay) |
Coupé (pron. coop) |
| Convertible top (car) |
Hood (as in "Let's put the hood down!") |
| Débris (pron. day-bree) |
Débris (pron. de-bree) |
| Décor (pron. day-kor) |
Décor (pron. de-korr) |
| Icing Sugar |
Powdered or confectioners sugar |
| Jacket Potato |
Baked Potato |
| 'Mr Plod' |
a Cop |
| Bin or Dust Bin |
Trash Can - Garbage can |
| Shag or Shagging (slang) for Intercourse |
Dancing see below..... |
| Intercourse (the same in the US and.....) |
A small Amish town in Pennsylvania! |
| A Carolina Dance step done to 'Beach Music' |
Shagging |
| Engaged (phone) |
Busy |
| Braces (to hold up pants) |
Suspenders - braces go on teeth |
| Suspenders (to hold up Stockings) |
Hold Ups / Garters |
| Brolly |
Umbrella |
| Tramp (down and out person) |
Bum |
| Bum or Bottom |
Butt or Ass |
| Créche |
Play school |
| Nativity Scene |
Créche |
| CV (Curriculm Vitae) |
Resumé |
| Dado Rail |
Chair Rail |
| Demister (in your car) |
Defroster |
| Dodgem car |
Bumper Car |
| To Burgle (rob) |
Burglarize |
| 'Nick' stuff |
Steal stuff |
| Carrier Bag |
Shopping Bag |
| Cock-up (a mess up) |
Very rude - dont use it!!! Use 'Screw-up' |
| Cotton Bud |
Cotton swab / Q-Tip |
| Cotton Wool (balls) |
Cotton |
| Cotton (reel of cotton for sewing) |
Thread |
| Accelerator pedal |
Gas pedal |
| Indicator / Flicker |
Turn signal |
| Anorak |
Outdoor jacket / Parker |
| Answering Machine |
Voice Mail |
| Autumn |
Fall |
| To 'bag' something - claim it |
'Dibbs' it or 'Call' it |
| Bangers (sausage) |
Wieners / Hot Dog |
| A Barney |
A Fight |
| Barmy |
Nuts / Crazy |
| Arse |
Ass |
| Aluminium (al-le-min-eeum) |
Aluminum (al-lu-minum) |
| Court Shoes |
Pumps |
| Car Park |
Parking Garage |
| String (ball of) |
Hemp ? - not known |
| Drawing Pin |
Thumb Tack |
| Presenter (TV) |
Anchor |
| Ladder (pantihose) |
Run |
| Tin - as in a tin of beans, peas, jam |
Can |
| Jumble Sale |
Rummage Sale / Garage Sale, Yard Sale |
| Rucksack |
Backpack |
| Parakeet |
Parrot |
| Budgie (Budgerigar - small blue /yellow bird) |
Parakeet (never heard of a budgie!) |
| Buoy (pron. boy) |
Buoy (pron, boo-ey) Sent in by Debbie Boltman! |
| Bouyant (pron boy-jant) |
Buoyant (pron boy-jant not booey-ent!) |
| Foefie Slide |
Zip Line |
| Hold Thumbs! (that something happens) |
Cross your fingers! |
| Impediment (speech / hearing) |
Impairment, speech or hearing impediment |
|
Speciality (this is considered an incorrect spelling) |
Specialty |
