Communication 2

suzy253, RN · Oct 4, 2008

I graciously bow out of this quiz as my DH(?) is British. LOL

good one though.

bettyboop · Oct 5, 2008

oh how right you are MW still have problems with the American citizans understanding me:imbar

We had a discusion here on the unit about this very same thing tonight, have put my foot in it a few times the most embarassing one was when i was stood at the telemoniters sneaking a peak or as i said when a RN asked what i was looking at i said "its OK im just tooting at the moniters" now were i come from tooting means sneaking a peak at somthing, imagine my toal embarassment when the RN said i was very open about it:confused: i looked at here puzzled then she told me that i had just told her i was farting at the moniters:eek::imbar:imbar no i said and explained what i meant i tell you everyone on the unit were falling about laughing.

I wont even go down the route of trying to figure out why it was handed over to me that someone had a catheter in there arm:stone which in the UK we call venflons and urinary caths are called foleys.

There again we are in a different country and sometimes we are just reminded of the fact.

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Nov 2, 2008

I think I know some of them, but not the others. Would you mind posting the English translation of those words? It'd be so helpful. :)

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2008

Hi

i have added the translation

Dofarel · Dec 30, 2008

I totally understand the confusion. I have been living here a year and have come across a few more.... Silverware- Cutlery, Cilantro- corriander, Entrees in Europe are appetisers. (Entrees makes more sense as entree in French means to enter.) There are so many more. It will be years before im fully in the know and English is my first language. Thats a worry.

dmskoka · Dec 31, 2008

So here I was in the USA and I had a major problem being understood. I had no problem understand american English because we all watch american movies and TV shows, but the basic american does not watch British TV programmes and apart from Harry Potter not a lot of British films. In a effort to elaborate about barriers to communication I wanter to find a list of basic basic language.
So I thought a quiz would be appropriate I will write below a list of words and see how many you can get right/translate into American English.
Pavement = sidewalk
Rubbish=trash
Bin=Trash can
Lift=Elevator
Pop=soda
Continental Quilt=duvet
Nets=lace curtains
Lolly pops=suckers
Lorry=18 wheeler
Boot (car)=Trunk
Petrol=Gas
Toilet=potty
Grill=broil
Buggy=stroller
Pyrexial=febrile
Giving seting=iv tubing
Maths=math
Drawing Pin=thumb tack
Rubber=eraser
Tick=check
Full stop=period
Tights=panty hose
Trousers=pants
Braces=suspenders
Car Park=parking lot
Off licence
Biscuit=cookie
Jelly=jam
Jam=jelly
porridge=oat meal
Knickers=underwear

This made me laugh. I was born in England and raised here since I was 4. Still was raised with English parents. I have a lets say a :rolleyes:"cross-cultural" vocabulary. I have had many laughs over the years at my job. The funniest thing is that still today at age 42 I find that some words I am using are British yet I never knew.. At least everyone knows my background and eventually we all come to an understanding.. My poor dad,, over the years. He was 41 when he came to California and the commotion that was started when he said that he was going to "knock someone up in the morning." :-) yes one ocean does really make a big difference ... :coollook:

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jan 3, 2009

Off licence= betting place not at the track

How about boiled sweetie= hard candy

queue=line up for something the Brits queue for EVERYTHING

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2009

I am always in a queue. Plus I make fresh appointments

Sunqueen · Jan 7, 2009

Off licence = liquor store.

We moved to the US when my daughter was just learning to talk. But, because of me and my family visiting both my girls have a bi-lingual vocabualry. When my eldest was around 5 the pediatrician suggested we see a speach therapist as he found her hard to understand. I thought she was fine - but what do mothers know? After 30 minutes of testing the therapist declared that my daughter had an accent not an impediment

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jan 8, 2009

I was amazed when I went by a vending machine in a London hotel and they had liquor in them!

Grace Oz · Jan 15, 2009

OH how I SO relate to this!!! LOL

Since we here in Oz are part of the British Commonwealth, founded by the British, hence our speech, use of words etc, is almost identical!

However .... as the years since convict settlement has long since passed, we also have our own unique language/useage of words, particular to Oz. :)

Mate, Cobber, Crikey, Strewth, Cooee, Drongo, Footpath, Bonnet (hood in US), Dunny, The ASHES!!!!!! BWAHAHAHA!!!! Kay'll know what THAT is!!! lol *ducks*

Good blog old mate! :)