Feb
by Harley Nott
We need to talk about Fanny.
England and America, “two nations divided by a common language”. Whether it was Oscar Wilde or Bernard Shaw who coined this phrase, and there is some debate about which one it was, there is no doubt that linguistic differences still persist and occasionally cause embarrassment. The difficulties come in two directions: different words or phrases used to refer to the same item or subject, and the same word meaning quite different things. That’s why we need to talk about Fanny – read on to the end.
Here is a useful list of the former:
| British English | American English |
| Food | |
| aubergine | eggplant |
| biscuit | cookie; cracker |
| chips | French fries |
| courgette | zucchini |
| crisps | chips |
| double cream | heavy cream |
| maize | corn |
| mangetout | snow pea |
| General Travel | |
| bill | check |
| boot (of a car) | trunk |
| cinema | movie theater |
| cling film | plastic wrap |
| cot | crib |
| dustbin | garbage can, trash can |
| flannel | washcloth |
| hob | stovetop |
| grill | broil |
| lift | elevator |
| mobile (phone) | cell (phone) |
| nappy | diaper |
| off-licence | liquor store; package store |
| pavement | sidewalk |
| pedestrian crossing | crosswalk |
| petrol | gas; gasoline |
| post (a letter) | mail (a letter) |
| postcode | zip code |
| pushchair | stroller |
| recorded delivery | certified mail |
| tights | pantyhose |
| toilet, lavatory, loo | restroom, washroom, john |
| underground | subway |
| wardrobe | closet |
| zebra crossing | crosswalk |
| Accommodation | |
| flat | apartment |
| ground floor, first floor etc. | first floor, second floor etc. |
| lift | elevator |
| porter | concierge |
| tap | faucet |
| Miscellaneous | |
| A&E, casualty | emergency room |
| chemist | drugstore |
| bank holiday | legal holiday |
| estate agent | realtor |
| homely | homey |
| unattractive, plain | homely |
| public school | private school |
| state school | public school |
| touch wood | knock on wood |
Now the same word with different meanings:
| English Meaning | American Meaning | |
| A&E | Accident and Emergency (casualty) department of a hospital | Arts & Entertainment (a TV network) |
| boob tube | woman’s shoulderless, strapless top | “the boob tube” = television |
| chaps | men or boys, people | leather leggings worn by cowboys or similar worn by motorcyclists |
| football | Association football (US: soccer), sometimes Rugby Union | American football |
| knickers | women’s underwear (US: panties) | knickerbockers |
| pants | underpants, briefs or boxers, of poor quality or bad situation (slang). | trousers |
| pissed | intoxicated, drunk | angry, irritated |
| randy | a slang term meaning sexually aroused (US: horny) | a male or female given name or nickname. |
| suspenders | elasticated support for stockings (US: garter) | elasticated support for trousers (UK: braces) |
| vest | garment worn under a shirt | sleeveless garment worn over a shirt (UK: waistcoat) |
| wash up | to wash the dishes; to clean after eating food | to wash one’s hands and face; to clean before eating food |
And finally Fanny. An American “fanny pack” is an English “bum bag”. When Americans innocently speak of their “fanny” meaning their bottom they are blissfully unaware that in English this word is slang for the female genitalia!
