Monday, October 20, 2008

Sounding like a Brit

It is amazing that after just a few months in London, I am starting to sound like a Brit. No, I have not mastered the accent (although Jignesh and I often like to practice our very bad British accents after a few pints) but I have found myself saying many of the common phrases and words not used in the States. While I do not think I will ever be able to use words like knackered (tired), gutted (upset), or wanker (I don't even know how to explain this one!) without a slight giggle, other British words now flow naturally. I no longer use the restroom but rather the "toilet" or "loo." Instead of taking out the trash, I take out the "rubbish." I dread the "queue" at the grocery store and not the line. Some of my other favorites include bloke (guy), bugger (shit), and pissed (drunk). Of course, you cannot forget to throw in "bloody" every once in a while! I am sure I could spend hours coming up with American phrases and their British equivilants. I guess it is just another interesting difference between two countries and their cultures!

Cheers!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Make sure you get your ballot in. Jiggy too. Schoopy too! NC is close! Also vote against Dole to help the senate go blue!
-jen

Anonymous said...

Hi Kat and Jiggy,

I had a brilliant laugh abount BE - AE phrases. Not to forget: Asking for a rubber - eh eraser in the Charlotte office...

Hiho from kraut-country,

Anne

peter said...

I've recently started hanging out with some British guys and I thought it was hilarious that they call everyone "wankstains" - and that no one really knows what the heck they are saying most of the time.