The English language has completely different meanings.

Sheba · Guru

The English language has completely different meanings.

Keith19837 · Senior Member

We lived in various countries whilst growing up. It was a great experience and when going to school we had to learn the local language. Many places used English as their primary or secondary language but with colloquialisms. In places such as Trinidad, Jamaica and the Antilles these colloquialisms could be seen as such and so we would ask for a 'translation'. Similarly in India and Ceylon. When we came to Australia, we fiqured that as it was a country of heavily British origins there would be little if any differences.

We were invited to a B.B.Q. and could we bring a plate. "O.K." we thought. A large gathering of people would certainly stretch the host's crockery and cutlery, so we took sufficient of both. We looked like right idiots.

We invited neighbours to tea (we used to have 4 meals a day. Breakfast, luncheon, high tea and dinner). We told the neighbours to arrive anytime from 4.00 p.m. We sat them down to sandwiches, scones, cake and tea. We looked like right idiots.

I was telling kids in school that we lived in a bungalow (single story house, 4 bedrooms, rumpus. In Britain, a 'house' has 2 stories). The kids couldn't work out how the six of us, plus dog were living in a bungalow (In Australia a 'granny flat). Looked like idiots.

During class, the teacher told us all to bring some Durex to school the next day for a project. In Britain, Durex was a popular brand of condom. I thought it was a great school. Next day I really looked like an idiot.

neilnruth · Guru

Even hosting US students has been an interesting experience regarding word usage. We've had lots of laughs over the years. And they have had some struggles not to use the wrong words. when in USA one time I offered to 'nurse' the birthday cake as we travelled. It was a very strange look I got when I said it. All the same words - just such different meanings. biggrin biggrin biggrin

Rip and Rosie · Guru

I remember a canadian exchange teacher getting into some difficulties with a primary class when she told them to "sit on their fannies"

Rip and Rosie · Guru

Sheba wrote:
Keith19837 wrote:
During class, the teacher told us all to bring some Durex to school the next day for a project. In Britain, Durex was a popular brand of condom. I thought it was a great school. Next day I really looked like an idiot.

It was in New Zealand in the '60's too Keith. I worked in Woolies for a while over there, and asked some-one for a Durex re-fill, as I'd run out of Sticky Tape . The rest of the staff were in stitches for the rest of the day.
Cheers,
Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Friday 9th of August 2013 08:15:02 PM

A friend of mine was a young wife pregnant with her first child and spending time in London with her student husband in the 1970's. Wanting to send christmas presents home, she went to but sticky tape, and asked for a roll of durex. She got sent from the grocery shop to the supermarket, and noticed the stares from the old women. The stares got worse in the chemist, when she asked why she wanted it in a roll, and she said so she could measure it and cut it to size!

Big Gorilla · Guru

One time when I was living in San Francisco, and if you have been to SFO you will recall many of the streets in the downtown area are hilly and a few are quite steep. I had met a girl who lived nearby and she was just slightly over weight. One morning we were walking up one of these steep streets together and she started to puff, obviously finding the up hill walk a little difficult. I said to her "What's wrong, are you knocked up ?" We know what that means here but in the U.S. it means "Are you pregnant" !!! Didn't go over very well but after we discussed what I had said, we had a good laugh about it...

neilnruth · Guru

My husband had trouble with that expression in Louisiana. He asked 3 times if the fellow had 'knocked up' the gas cooker (for the crawfish cookout) himself!! He just couldn't stop saying it and our host was getting quite embarrassed.

Beth54 · Guru

Re the durex, if someone said that to me I wouldn't know what they were talking about, and I'm an Aussie born and bred. Maybe it's a Qld thing, but I've only ever known it to be sticky tape.

My best friend is a Kiwi and we often use different words, or pronunications. Recently we were talking about Subaru's. She pronounces it Subaaru, with more emphasis on the a. Of course, I tease her and she teases me back. wink

Having Irish, Japanese and Ukrainian in my extended family means a lot of explanations and laughter over the years. Recently the Ukranian had a lesson in garage sales when they were moving house. He didn't quite get the concept at first but after a fruitful day, he learnt what a good thing a garage sale could be.

Happywanderer · The Master

I say Subaaru too Beth. Must be kiwi thing.

Beth54 · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
I say Subaaru too Beth. Must be kiwi thing.

Sheba · Guru

Beth54 wrote:
Re the durex, if someone said that to me I wouldn't know what they were talking about, and I'm an Aussie born and bred. Maybe it's a Qld thing, but I've only ever known it to be sticky tape.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
I'm a Queenslander too Beth. Durex was one Brand Name for Sticky Tape when I went to School, and later. Don't know if it's still around by that name.
Cheers,
Sheba.

The dog lady · Guru

My grandmother used to mix dutch and English words in a sentence. Once when a chap asked for directions she told him the place was "on the other side of the street", only some of the words were in dutch and the poor man made a very hasty exit. Try looking at it through the Google translate and you'll see what I mean

https://translate.google.com.au/#en/nl/ON%20THE%20OTHER%20SIDE%20OF%20THE%20STREET

Beth54 · Guru

When we were kids we had to collect the brambles, small sticks and twigs. Kindling to others. I have no idea where the 'brambles' came from, and I don't recall anyone else calling them brambles.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/brambles?s=t

Maybe it came from her Irish ancestors. confuse

Re the sticky tape, Sheba, I do recall people calling it scotch tape, which is another brand name.

Delta18 · Guru

Beth54 wrote:
Re the durex, if someone said that to me I wouldn't know what they were talking about, and I'm an Aussie born and bred. Maybe it's a Qld thing, but I've only ever known it to be sticky tape.

Where I was brought up, South Australia we always had Durex in the house and I can assure you there was not much need for condoms, not by me anyway. disbelief cry

Sheba · Guru

Beth54 wrote:
Re the sticky tape, Sheba, I do recall people calling it scotch tape, which is another brand name.

I do remember that one, now that you mention it. Had a Green and Red Tartan motif on the end tag, and Packaging if I remember rightly.

Cheers,

Sheba.

Beth54 · Guru

Sheba wrote:
Beth54 wrote:
Re the sticky tape, Sheba, I do recall people calling it scotch tape, which is another brand name.
I do remember that one, now that you mention it. Had a Green and Red Tartan motif on the end tag, and Packaging if I remember rightly.
Cheers,
Sheba.

Yep, that's it.

Jack Mac · Senior Member

Bloke went into a chemist's, said "Do you handle condoms?". Yes we do came the reply. "Well wash your hands I want a packet of jelly beans"