The Top 10: British and American Words With Overlapping, But Dangerously Different, Meanings

The potentially most embarrassing traps in our common language

Would you like a white dairy product of your choice with that coffee? (Alamy)

Suggested by Damian Counsell: “British-English/American-English faux amis: words and phrases that have overlapping, but dangerously different, meanings in the two languages.” He then had to issue a rule clarification: “First floor, like a lot of shared expressions, simply has a different meaning in American English, not a deceptively overlapping one, such as ‘liberal’.” On this basis, he ruled out rubber, fanny, chips and purse.

1. Asian. Applied to people, it usually means those from the Indian subcontinent in British English, but those from China, Japan, Korea and Indo-China in American English.

2. Cream. “In the US it is the standard dairy product that is put in coffee whereas in the UK it is the dairy product sometimes put in coffee, possibly on special occasions. The standard cream in the US has a lower fat content. Conversely asking for some milk for your coffee in a US diner results in receiving a tall glass of milk,” said Alan Robertson.

3. Homely. Lynne Bateson. A positive word in British English, but can mean “plain or unattractive” in American.

4. Jumper in US English is a pinafore dress. Thanks to Graham Kirby.

5. Middle class. Means the better off in British English, but the less well off in the US.

6. Momentarily. British: for a very short time; American: at this time. “Some years ago my wife went to New York, and went by the subway to Manhattan, but at a station in Queens we came to a halt, and there was an announcement: ‘Momentarily there is a smoke situation at the next station.’ Ten minutes later there was another announcement, ‘Momentarily there is a fire situation at the next station,’ and we were advised to get out and take a bus (there was no bus, but that’s another story),” said Ian K Watson.

7. Pants.

8. Republican. The party that is less liberal (that is, in British English, less left wing), although it was once the party that abolished slavery. Mind you, it has two meanings in British English: an anti-monarchist or a supporter of a united Ireland, including one prepared to take up arms.

9. Table. In British English, the verb means to propose a topic for discussion; in American English, it means to postpone discussion on a topic. Nominated by Patrick G, Charles Forsyth, Andrew Marshall and Gregory Lyons. Similarly, “take a punt” means take a chance on something in the UK and avoid something in the US (from American football, when a team has to get rid of the ball), points out Ivo Wengraf.

10. Wash up. “In the US it means to wash your hands before eating but I confused my American hosts by offering to wash up afterwards,” said Ruth Cuthbert.

Next week: Promises to leave a country if a vote goes the wrong way, after Alan Sugar said last month he would leave the UK if Jeremy Corbyn became prime minister

Coming soon: Pop songs based on classical music, starting with “This Night” by Billy Joel, based on Beethoven’s Pathétique sonata

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