Speak the Language

Despite the fact that England is an English speaking country, I sometimes feel like it is a whole new kind of English. Even after being here for over a year, there are still so many times where I am lost in a conversation. The most commonly spoken word in my relationship with Matt is 'what?'

Here is a table of some of the words that I say now so that I can be understood.

English (UK)	English (Canadian)
Alright?	How are you?
Alright	Fine thanks
Skint	Broke
In a mood	In a bad mood
Have the hump	In a bad mood
Stroppy	Bitchy
Get your kit off	Take your clothes off
Loo roll	Toilet paper
Kitchen roll	Paper towel
Toilet, loo, bog	Bathroom, washroom
Boot	Trunk
Bonnet	Hood
See a film at the cinema	Go to the movie theatre
Washing up	Do the dishes
Hoovering	Vacuuming
Rubbish bin – or just bin	Garbage can
Pavement	Sidewalk
Zebra crossing	Pedestrian crossing
Gooseberry	Be a third wheel
Ring them	Call them
Put the kettle on	The solution to all problems in life
Bacon buttie	Breakfast bacon sandwich
Sarnie/buttie/bap	Sandwich
Football	Soccer
Up the duff	Pregnant
Flat	Apartment
Lift	Elevator
Queue	Line up
Alcopop	Cooler
Take-away	Take-out
Brilliant	Awesome
Keep your hair on	Don’t freak out
Pudding/pud	Dessert
Trainers	Runners/sneakers
Tissues	Kleenex
Tuck in	Eat up

There is also the added fun of cockney rhyming slang that many people use without even thinking about it. Example: I don't have a scooby = I don't have a clue because scooby doo rhymes with clue! others include boat race - face syrup and fig - wig There are 'shed loads' more but this is just a taster. To truly experience it you'll just have to come for a visit.