Ask UK

1226 readers

5 users here now

Community for asking and answering any question related to the life, the people or anything related to the UK.

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

tom@feddit.uk

Have you replaced any British words with their American versions? (feddit.uk)

submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by Oneeightnine@feddit.uk to c/askuk@feddit.uk

112 comments fedilink hide all child comments

For example, switching out the word 'boot' for 'trunk', or ditching the word 'rubbish' for 'garbage'.

This is something I've noticed my 6 year old does pretty regularly. We went through a stage where 'sweets' became 'candy', 'holiday' became 'vacation' and 'courgette' became 'zucchini'.

That last one didn't happen but if you're still reading you've got my respect, or as the Americans might say '...mad props'.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] RobotToaster@mander.xyz 41 points 7 months ago (2 children)

I like "garbage" when insulting something, it just has a nice guttural sound.

[–] livus@kbin.social 26 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Yes, but British English has superior insults like cockwomble.

[–] PatMustard@feddit.uk 23 points 7 months ago (2 children)

"cockwomble" just sounds like you're trying too hard, like a yank LARPing as a brit they read about on the internet

[–] AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space 7 points 7 months ago (1 children)

That’s when you pull out the British understatement and switch to ordinary nouns in a context that implies an insult (“you utter teakettle”)

[–] PatMustard@feddit.uk 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Teakettle? Isn't that just a kettle?

[–] yeah@feddit.uk 4 points 7 months ago

It's a way to call someone extra or superfluous.

[–] livus@kbin.social 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Really? Is it regional maybe? Irl I've only ever heard it from English people who want to say something stronger than "bell end".

[–] PatMustard@feddit.uk 5 points 7 months ago (2 children)

I don't think I've ever heard anyone say it IRL. It's a pretty minor thing really, use whatever insults you fancy, but if you want something very British you've got classics like muppet, nonce, pillock, bawbag.

[–] Hossenfeffer@feddit.uk 7 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

I'm partial to 'wankspanner'. Which is pretty un-American since even if they knew what to wank meant, they'd probably to with 'wankwrench' which just isn't the same. Sorry, I'm moving into rambling territory now.

[–] livus@kbin.social 2 points 7 months ago

I myself use the insults of my own culture (NZ), but I just like hearing the British people in my life using theirs.

I know an elderly British woman whose worst insult seems to be to call someone a "rotter".

[–] Holyginz@lemmy.world 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Honestly, bellend is a wonderful insult in my opinion. I used to watch a lot of sovietwomble and similar youtubers in the past so that and using cunt like a more colorful version of calling someone a dick were something i heard a lot and have a lot more behind them when said. That being said, I live in the US and would have to explain Bellend which would cause it to lose the impact. And cunt is far more negatively received here so you will likely be regarded as a mysoginist and/or get clocked here.

[–] disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

As an American in awe of your insults, I can’t get enough of the English pronunciation of twat. It cracks like a whip. Truly spectacular stuff.

[–] Holyginz@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago

Lol, I'm American as well. But I agree with you 100%. It really feels like most of our insults here are lacking compared to the rest of the world.

[–] AFC1886VCC@reddthat.com 8 points 7 months ago

Garbage and trash are excellent American words. Much better than "rubbish"