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UK or SA ENGLISH
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AMERICAN
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The written date : 10 January 2016 or 10-1-2016 |
The written date : January 10, 2016 or 1-10-2016 |
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Saying "triple 7', "double e" or "double n" |
Do not use this in the US! Say the letters or numbers one at a time, as in 7,7,7 or e,e or n,n. |
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Cot (baby bed with sides, up to aged 3) |
Crib |
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Crib - tiny crib on legs for a newborn |
Bassinet |
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Stretcher - to sleep on temporarily like during a disaster or for a guest |
Cot |
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Stretcher (in ambulance) |
Gurney |
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Invigilator; to invigilate or I am invigilating this test
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Proctor: to proctor or I am proctoring this test
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Boot (car)
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The trunk
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Hooter
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Horn (hooters are not used in polite conversation as they refer to the word below)
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Breasts or Boobs
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Hooters
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Hoot
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Honk
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Yell & Scream |
Hoot 'n Holler |
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Pigeon Hole (in a classroom) |
Cubbie - space or shelf in a classroom where a student keeps belongings |
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Cubby Hole (in a car)
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Glove compartment
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Lift
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Elevator
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"Super" (That's super!) |
"Great!" (super refers to super-size!) |
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Pop In (visit) "I'll just pop in to see you!" |
"I'll Swing by you" - pop is what corn does!! |
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Soft Drink |
Soda, Pop, Coke
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Soda |
Club Soda or Seltzer |
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Pavement (to walk on)
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Sidewalk
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The road or tarmac to drive on
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Pavement
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Baby's or Amish woman's Hat |
Bonnet |
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Hired car |
Rental car |
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Bonnet
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Hood (of a car!)
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Bumper
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Fender
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Panel Beater
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Body Shop have no idea what a panel beater is!!
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Parts (as in for a car or machine) |
Spares
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Spare(s)
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One bowling pin left standing!
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Strike (cease work) |
Knocking all the bowling pins down |
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Telephone Directory
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Phone Book
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Full stop (punctuation)
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Period
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Period (menstrual period) |
Period |
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Inverted comma's
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Quotation marks
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Brackets (punctuation)
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Parentheses
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Exclamation Mark
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Exclamation Point
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Tracksuit
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Sweats
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Arrive late
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Tardy
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Takkies (SA)or Running Shoes (UK)
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Sneakers or Tennis Shoes
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Seedy or undesirable
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Tacky
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Torch
Olympic flame / Garden Torch
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Flashlight
Torch
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Electric Razor
What the barber uses with a brush and foam!
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Electric Shaver
Razor / Cut-throat
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Guillotine
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Paper trimmer
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Old French form of execution
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Guillotine
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Celsius
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Fahrenheit Only 2 other countries in the world still use this Liberia and Myanmar (Burma)
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Celtic (pron. keltic) as in Scots or Irish origin
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Celtic (pron. Seltic)
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Supermarket
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Grocery Store
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Chemist / Pharmacy
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Drugstore or pharmacy
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Lab scientist / technician
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Chemist
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Garden furniture
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Lawn Chairs
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Bottom / bum
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Fanny / Butt / Ass / Behind
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Fanny
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Vagina
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Moon Bag |
Fanny Pack |
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Handbag
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Purse
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Purse or wallet (for money)
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Wallet or Pocket Book
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Jelly
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Jello
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Jam
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Jelly or Preserve
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Tartan
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Plaid
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Pudding
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Dessert
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Instant Pudding in a box |
Pudding |
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Estate Agent
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Realtor / Broker
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Turnover (amount of income per year)
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Turnover (Staff Turnover) also a fruit filled pastry dessert
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Hot baked fruit pie |
Cobbler |
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Excess (as in an insurance policy)
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Deductible
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Robot
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Traffic Light
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Centre Island (on a road)
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Median
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Under the influence (driving)
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Driving While Impaired (DWI or DUI)
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Christmas Holidays
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"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
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Going on Vacation
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Kilometers
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Miles
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Beauty Salon
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Spa
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Anaesthetist
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Anesthesiologist
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General Practitioner (GP)
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Family Doctor
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Opthalmologist |
Eye Doctor |
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Optometrist |
Eye Doctor |
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Bakkie (SA) or Van (UK)
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Pick-up truck or truck
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Truck / Lorry / Pantechnikon |
18 wheeler / tractor trailer |
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Trolley (supermarket)
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Cart
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Flag
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Banner or flag
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Lunch Break at school
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Recess
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Dungarees
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Overalls
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Overalls (workman) |
Coveralls |
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Coffin
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Casket
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Cinema
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Movie House / movie theatre
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Two seater couch /sofa
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Loveseat
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Guest Loo at home
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Powder Room
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Loo / Lavatory/ Toilet
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Bathroom / Restroom
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Lounge Suite (pr.sweet)
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Lounge Suite (pr.suit)
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Route on a map (pr. root)
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Route (pr. Rowt)
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Film
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Movie
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Jersey / Cardigan / Jumper
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Sweater
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Pinnafore |
Jumper - sleeveless dress with a blouse worn underneath |
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Vest
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Under shirt
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Waistcoat
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Vest
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Glasses / Spectacles
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Eye Glasses
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Garage (emphasis on the 1st "a")
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Garage (pr. Garaaage)
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Sitting Room
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Parlor / Family Room / Living Room
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Play soccer / baseball
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Play ball
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Chopper
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Axe
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Helicopter
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Chopper
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Scone (pron. Scon)
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Biscuit
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Biscuit
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Cookie
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Sleep
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Nap
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Serviette
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Napkin
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Napkin or Nappy (baby)
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Diaper
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Pram
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Stroller / Baby Carriage
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Dummy
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Pacifier
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Sticky Tape / Cello tape
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Scotch Tape
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Polyfiller (white stuff for holes in walls)
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Spackle
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Stand / Erf (as in property)
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Lot
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Door Handle
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Door Knob
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Cupboard (for clothes)
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Closet
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Cuboards (in kitchen) |
Cabinets |
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Plait (as in hair)
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Braid
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Minibus
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Van
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4 x 4
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SUV
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Verandah / Stoep
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Porch or stoop
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Aerial
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Antenna
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Project
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Assignment
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Class teacher
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Advisory
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Naught (0)
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Zero (never heard of naught in this context!!)
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Nothing (as in 'came to nothing' or naught)
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Naught
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Pre-school or Grade 0
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Kindergarten
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Chips (hot)
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Fries
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Chips (Packet)
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Chips/ crisps
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Math's (as in Mathematic's)
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Math (no 's')
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Bread Roll
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Bun
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Bond
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Mortgage
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Access Bond
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Equity Line is the closest thing
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Renovate
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Remodel / Rehab
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Off Ramp
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Exit
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Highway
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Beltway / Freeway
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Deposit
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Down Payment
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Flat
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Apartment or Condo
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Townhouse
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Condominium / townhouse
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Cluster Home
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Townhome
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Marquee (a tent for an event or wedding) |
Tent |
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The large illuminated sign above an old movie theater with big letters of what's showing! |
Marquee |
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Duvet (goes inside the duvet cover) |
Duvet Comforter |
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Duvet Cover |
Duvet |
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Comforter |
Bedspread or padded blanket |
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The Post
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The Mail (signs are posted!!)
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Put up a sign
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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
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Dime
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Five Cents
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Nickel
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One Cent / Penny
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Penny
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Foyer / Entrance Hall
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Hallway
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Bath
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Tub
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Jacuzzi Bath
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Garden Tub
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Jacuzzi (outdoors)
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Hot Tub / Spa
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Stairs
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Staircase - the Stairwell is the space under the stairs.
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Vase (pr. Vaaze)
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Vase (pr. Vayze)
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Curtains
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Drapes
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Rods, rings and rails (for curtains)
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Hardware
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Standing Lamp
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Floor Lamp
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Side Table living room
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End Table
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Bedside Table
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Night Stand
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Vice (used to grip things in a workshop)
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Vise (pron. Vice but spelt with an "S")
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Vice (as in vice squad)
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Vice (as in vice squad)
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Bannister
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Handrail
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I'm finished
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I'm done
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I'm fine
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I'm good
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Pardon me! or Sorry!
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Excuse me! - mostly used when wanting to pass someone in a confined space.
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It's a pleasure! (response to Thank You!)
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You're welcome! My Pleasure!
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Anti-clockwise
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Counter-clockwise
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Dressing Gown
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Robe
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Spanspek / Sweet Melon
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Cantaloupe
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Courgette or Baby Marrow
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Zuchini
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Naartjie (SA)
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Tangerine
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Aubergine or Bringal
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Egg plant
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Sosatie
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Kebab
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Paraffin
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Kerosene; Parraffin; Wax
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Fuel / Petrol
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Gas
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Oil Change
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Lube
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Fire Engine
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Fire Truck
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Fire Station
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Fire House
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Fire Brigade |
Fire Department |
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Jersey
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Jumper
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Moonbag
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Fanny Pack
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Penultimate
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Unknown expression in the US
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Doctors Rooms
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Doctors Office
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Migraine (pr. Meegrain)
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Migraine (pr.maigrain)
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Deputy Mayor
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Mayor Pro Tem
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School bag, suitcase or satchel
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Book bag
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Sucker
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Lollipop
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A Gullible fellow / Loser
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Sucker
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Sweets
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Candy
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Candy Floss
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Cotton Candy
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Starter / Entrée |
Appetizer |
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Main Course
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Entrée
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Diary
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Planner or Calendar
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Journal
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Diary
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Ghetto blaster or portable stereo
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Boom box
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APS film
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Advantix
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Koki Pens
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Markers or Sharpies
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File (for documents)
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Binder
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Radiologists
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Imaging center
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Stationery shop
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Book store
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Haberdashery shop
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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)
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Cutlery or Silver
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Flatware or Silverware even if it's plastic!!
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Crockery or Dinner Service
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Dinnerware
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Car
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Vehicle (pr. Vee-hickle) / Automobile
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Cooler box
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Cooler
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Bedspread
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Bed Cover
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Pillowcase with border around the pillow area or Continental pillow
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Sham / European pillow
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School Report
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Report Card
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Teachers or Staff at a school
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Faculty - all teachers at the school
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Faculty of Arts (university)
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School of Arts
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Go to University
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Go to school or College
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School |
Elementary, Middle & High School |
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College or University
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All tertiary institutions are referred to as "school"
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Number plate |
Tag or License tag / plate |
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Post Graduate student
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Grad student or "I am at Grad school"
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Zebra Crossing |
Pedestrian Crossing |
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Changing Room
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Locker room
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Tap (in the sink or bath or garden)
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Faucet
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Tippex
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WhiteOut or Liquid Paper
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Power Failure
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Power - out
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Electricity
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Power
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Electricity, water, sewer, waste etc
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Utilities
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Spade
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Shovel
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Call Box
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Phone Booth
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Inquiries (pron. "Ink-wire-rees")
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Inquiries (pron. Inkwirries)
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Qatar -Mid Eastern country (pron. "kwa-taar")
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Qatar (pron. "gutter") or "kuh-tar"
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Reverse Charges (phone) |
Call Collect |
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Rocket (salad) |
Arugula |
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Condom |
Rubber |
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Rubber (to remove pencil) |
Eraser |
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Rubbish (bin) |
Garbage / Trash (can) |
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Spanner |
Monkey Wrench |
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Stroppy (difficult person) |
PIA! (pain in the ass) |
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Zed (Z) |
Zee (Z) |
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Firefly |
Lightnin' Bug |
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Lady Bird |
Lady Bug |
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Lay-by (on a highway) |
Rest Area |
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Lemon Juice (as in Orange Juice) |
Lemonade |
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Lemonade |
7-Up or Sprite |
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Perspex |
Plexiglass |
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Queue (stand in a queue) |
Line (stand in a line) |
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Duvet Cover |
Comforter |
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Elastoplast |
Band Aid |
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Dodgy |
Suspect |
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Gear Box |
Transmission |
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Green Fingers |
Green Thumb |
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Grotty |
Trashy |
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Handbrake |
Emergency Brake |
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Gear Lever |
Gear Shift or Stick Shift |
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Hand Luggage |
Carry-on baggage |
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Rent (a property) |
For Rent |
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For Hire (car or furniture) |
Rental |
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Coupé - 2-door car (pron. coop-pay) |
Coupé (pron. coop) |
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Convertible top (car) |
Hood (as in "Let's put the hood down!") |
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Débris (pron. day-bree) |
Débris (pron. de-bree) |
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Décor (pron. day-kor) |
Décor (pron. de-korr) |
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Icing Sugar |
Powdered or confectioners sugar |
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Jacket Potato |
Baked Potato |
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'Mr Plod' |
a Cop |
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Bin or Dust Bin |
Trash Can - Garbage can |
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Shag or Shagging (slang) for Intercourse |
Dancing see below..... |
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Intercourse (the same in the US and.....) |
A small Amish town in Pennsylvania! |
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A Carolina Dance step done to 'Beach Music' |
Shagging |
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Engaged (phone) |
Busy |
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Braces (to hold up pants) |
Suspenders - braces go on teeth |
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Suspenders (to hold up Stockings) |
Hold Ups / Garters |
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Brolly |
Umbrella |
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Tramp (down and out person) |
Bum |
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Bum or Bottom |
Butt or Ass |
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Créche |
Play school |
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Nativity Scene |
Créche |
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CV (Curriculm Vitae) |
Resumé |
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Dado Rail |
Chair Rail |
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Demister (in your car) |
Defroster |
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Dodgem car |
Bumper Car |
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To Burgle (rob) |
Burglarize |
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'Nick' stuff |
Steal stuff |
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Carrier Bag |
Shopping Bag |
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Cock-up (a mess up) |
Very rude - dont use it!!! Use 'Screw-up' |
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Cotton Bud |
Cotton swab / Q-Tip |
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Cotton Wool (balls) |
Cotton |
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Cotton (reel of cotton for sewing) |
Thread |
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Accelerator pedal |
Gas pedal |
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Indicator / Flicker |
Turn signal |
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Anorak |
Outdoor jacket / Parker |
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Answering Machine |
Voice Mail |
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Autumn |
Fall |
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To 'bag' something - claim it |
'Dibbs' it or 'Call' it |
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Bangers (sausage) |
Wieners / Hot Dog |
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A Barney |
A Fight |
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Barmy |
Nuts / Crazy |
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Arse |
Ass |
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Aluminium (al-le-min-eeum) |
Aluminum (al-lu-minum) |
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Court Shoes |
Pumps |
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Car Park |
Parking Garage |
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String (ball of) |
Hemp ? - not known |
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Drawing Pin |
Thumb Tack |
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Presenter (TV) |
Anchor |
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Ladder (pantihose) |
Run |
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Tin - as in a tin of beans, peas, jam |
Can |
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Jumble Sale |
Rummage Sale / Garage Sale, Yard Sale |
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Rucksack |
Backpack |
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Parakeet |
Parrot |
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Budgie (Budgerigar - small blue /yellow bird) |
Parakeet (never heard of a budgie!) |
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Buoy (pron. boy) |
Buoy (pron, boo-ey) Sent in by Debbie Boltman! |
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Bouyant (pron boy-jant) |
Buoyant (pron boy-jant not booey-ent!) |
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Foefie Slide |
Zip Line |
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Hold Thumbs! (that something happens) |
Cross your fingers! |
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Impediment (speech / hearing) |
Impairment, speech or hearing impairment |
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Speciality (this is considered an incorrect spelling)
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Specialty
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Garden (Lawn & Flower beds) |
Yard |
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Veggie Garden |
Garden |
