A cry for help!

[hellzabeth]

Hey, majority of watchers!

You're American, right? /obvious

I'm doing a project at college (what, Pidge, are you actually working? Yes, yes I am) about the differences between British English and American English. I need some stereotypically American phrases and amusing miscommunications. (Unfortunately I can't use the usual "rubber vs rubber" that first came to mind.) Any random help would be appreciated.

Additionally, anyone Australian, similar to the above request?

/feels kind of stupid

/wishes she was at home instead of in this stupid class

orz

Edit: I'm not allowed to include anything naughty in my essay guys, the examiners are stuck up. :| So stuff like the difference between "wank" in American and "wank" in British are not applicable. <3 You keep using that word. I don't think it means what you think it means.

Comments

[mad-bomber75.livejournal.com]

*peeks in and decides to offer some help*

I'm no expert on different slang terms, but as an American living on the Northeast coast (in New England ohoho), I can offer some help I hope c:

I don't know if you guys say "wicked" to describe things, like an adjective, but where I live, it's THE adjective to use. I say it all the time: "Wicked good", "wicked awesome", "wicked stupid", etc.

And I dunno if it's just me, but I tend to call everyone, guy or girl, "dude" at the beginning of sentences. Like, "Dude, you have no idea how sick I am right now." People look at me funny sometimes ^^; Also, because I live in Massachusetts, a common phrase usually heard in Boston would be "Whatahya, rehtahded?" (What are you, retarded?) which is a nice little insult asking if you're stupid. I've heard English people say "Are you daft?" sometimes, so I think it has pretty much the same meaning.

Like someone else said above, different states and cities in the US have different words they use. For New Englanders, we say "you guys" when addressing a group of people while most southerners will say "y'all". New Englanders call soft drinks "soda", and everyone else in the country either says "pop" or "soda pop". What do you guys call it? :o I could go on about different words in different states, but I think I've said enough ^^ I hope this helps a little bit.

[lovelylurker.livejournal.com]

New Englanders call soft drinks "soda", and everyone else in the country either says "pop" or "soda pop". What do you guys call it?

I CALL IT COKE.

SCREW DIFFERENT BRANDS AND FLAVORS. IT'S ALL FUCKING COKE. WE'RE SO PRO THAT WE CAN TELL WHAT KIND OF "COKE" THE OTHER PERSON WANTS WITH OUR MOTHERFUCKING MINDS.

Yeah, I'm not joking.

[windy-lea.livejournal.com]

Hahaha. My home state is split between "pop" and "coke". I knew about "pop" and "soda", but I was so confused the first time a coworker said they were grabbing a coke and then brought out a sprite.

[hellzabeth.livejournal.com]

... and while Lovelylurker has a minor freakout above me...

Ooo, "wicked" as an adjective. *notes down*

I have unfortunately been infected with the same verbal tic. D8 To the despair of those around me. And in the glorious "Nanny Nation" (it's a tabloid nickname; try not to imagine Arthur in a dress) saying "retarded" will get you some insulted looks. We still say daft and stuff like plonker, but it's kind of archaic now.

We call "pop", "fizzy drinks". Or, you know, the brand name. :| We don't ask if anyone wants pop, we ask if they want Fanta or Sprite or Coke.

[lovelylurker.livejournal.com]

Shhh. Shhhhhhhhhh. No one's freaking out.

In certain parts of the US, people call every type of soda or pop (or soft drink) "coke," the shortened form of "coca cola," even when they're requesting, say, a pepsi or sprite or something.

Which makes absolutely no effing sense. And I do it too. orz