Yes, we do speak the same language, but there are some interesting differences. Sure, everyone knows the most common differences, such as...
Chips vs. French Fries
Flat vs. Apartment
Biscuit vs. Cookie
But, there are a lot more. Here are more cases where UK English is just a little different than US English. Note I said different; one way is no better than the other. These are just listed for a little fun. Interestingly, most of these have to do with cars or driving.
Give Way vs. Yield
Way Out vs. Exit
Dual Carriageway vs. Divided Highway
Verge, meaning the grass border along a road
Mind the Insert Dangerous Item Here vs. Warning or Beware of Insert Dangerous Item Here
Car Park vs. Parking Lot or Parking Garage
No Entry vs. Do Not Enter
Motorway vs. Highway
Engineering vs. Construction
Toilet vs. Bathroom
Litter vs. Trash
Alight, as in exit the transit station for your destination
Queue vs. Line
Jump Queue vs. Butt in Line
Queuing Likely, as in traffic congestion likely
Short or Long Stay vs. Short or Long Term
Footpath vs. Sidewalk
Sort Out vs. Straighten or Figure Out
SOS vs. Help
Let vs. Rent as in an apartment or building
Hire a Car vs. Rent a Car
And then there's the slang. Some of my favorites are bollocks, balls, blimey, wanker, pillock and bugger. There are lots more, but I can't think of any right now.
Despite the differences in words used, the meanings generally come through without too much additional thinking. The key thing to keep in mind is that we are so much more alike than we are different.
Friday, May 8, 2009
European Vacation 2009: More to Come
Now that all the photos have been posted, I wanted to let you know that there are other posts on the way covering some interesting aspects of London and Paris. Stay tuned.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Bonus Photos: Over Greenland
On the return flight from Heathrow, I was in the middle of watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on the in-flight entertainment system when the captain came on the P.A. to announce that we were in for a treat today. He said that normally, Greenland is obscured by clouds, but today, it was fully visible. So I busted the camera out of the carry-on, and started photographing something I never expected to see. Here are some of those photos... the white specks in the water are iceburgs.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Regent's Park
The last place I went on my last day in London was The Regent's Park, another huge open area in the city. At the end of the day, I'm certain my feet were planning to revolt. At any rate, I think The Regent's Park was my favorite of the parks I visited. More can be learned by visiting the Royal Parks' site; there's a link in the British Landmarks I've Visited section.
Map of the park.
Just after entering the park near Baker Street.
Water fowl abound in the park.
As well do thousands of flowers.
One of the many planting beds specializing in many varieties of tulips.
The bandstand.
Park-supplied seating near the bandstand. Not as many people were in the park today since it was a workday.
Boating Lake in the background.
Lots of families seem to frequent the park.
Another planting bed.
If memory serves, this is one of the gates into Queen Mary's Gardens.
The gate.
More detail on the gate.
Entering Queen Mary's Gardens, just inside the gate.
A small island inside Queen Mary's Gardens.
A duck swims peacefully by.
A bridge leads to the small island.
An interesting tree I found on the island.
Flower close-up.
I came across some black swans.
I assume this is the mate of the previous swan.
Entering a rose garden. There were millions of buds ready to open, but alas, I was too early for most of them.
This one was ready.
As was this.
Wide angle view approaching a fountain area.
The fountain is directly behind me as I took this photo. I include it because it's very peaceful.
The fountain.
An iris.
I believe this was called Long Bridge.
A wide angle shot of some of the playing fields at The Regent's Park.
Map of the park.
Just after entering the park near Baker Street.
Water fowl abound in the park.
As well do thousands of flowers.
One of the many planting beds specializing in many varieties of tulips.
The bandstand.
Park-supplied seating near the bandstand. Not as many people were in the park today since it was a workday.
Boating Lake in the background.
Lots of families seem to frequent the park.
Another planting bed.
If memory serves, this is one of the gates into Queen Mary's Gardens.
The gate.
More detail on the gate.
Entering Queen Mary's Gardens, just inside the gate.
A small island inside Queen Mary's Gardens.
A duck swims peacefully by.
A bridge leads to the small island.
An interesting tree I found on the island.
Flower close-up.
I came across some black swans.
I assume this is the mate of the previous swan.
Entering a rose garden. There were millions of buds ready to open, but alas, I was too early for most of them.
This one was ready.
As was this.
Wide angle view approaching a fountain area.
The fountain is directly behind me as I took this photo. I include it because it's very peaceful.
The fountain.
An iris.
I believe this was called Long Bridge.
A wide angle shot of some of the playing fields at The Regent's Park.Sherlock Holmes Museum
I'm back in London after about 30 hours in Paris. It's my last day here, and I still haven't been to Regent's Park. It's decided then - I'll go there, and stop by the Sherlock Holmes Museum on the way. Need to take the Piccadilly line to Green Park Station, and then take the Jubilee line to Baker Street Station.
When you see this, you know you've arrived.
The museum features period actors; this constable was having a little fun with a fellow museum patron.
Exterior of the Museum and shop, complete with a period actor.
Sherlock Holmes's bed.
Inside Sherlock Holmes's bedroom. The pictures on the wall are all famous criminals from the time.
The famous study Holmes shared with Dr. Watson.
Holmes shot the initials of Queen Victoria into the wall with an air gun.
Dr. Watson's desk.
The breakfast table.
Mrs. Hudson's room (the landlady).
Bulldog revolver in the bible of ex-reverend Williamson.
Additional displays.
Inside Dr. Watson's Room.
Apparently, Dr. Watson must have had a condition requiring him to have a loo in his room. That's it in the corner.
Another display upstairs.
More displays.
It just wouldn't be me if I didn't include a photo of Sherlock Holmes's loo.
The blue dot conveys the significance of 221b Baker Street.
When you see this, you know you've arrived.
The museum features period actors; this constable was having a little fun with a fellow museum patron.
Exterior of the Museum and shop, complete with a period actor.
Sherlock Holmes's bed.
Inside Sherlock Holmes's bedroom. The pictures on the wall are all famous criminals from the time.
The famous study Holmes shared with Dr. Watson.
Holmes shot the initials of Queen Victoria into the wall with an air gun.
Dr. Watson's desk.
The breakfast table.
Mrs. Hudson's room (the landlady).
Bulldog revolver in the bible of ex-reverend Williamson.
Additional displays.
Inside Dr. Watson's Room.
Apparently, Dr. Watson must have had a condition requiring him to have a loo in his room. That's it in the corner.
Another display upstairs.
More displays.
It just wouldn't be me if I didn't include a photo of Sherlock Holmes's loo.
The blue dot conveys the significance of 221b Baker Street.
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