Different words for ones we are used to

[hart]

As most of you know, my hubby is from Ireland. There are sometimes certain expressions he uses catches me off guard. Like today he asked me to get 2 pans of bread. It took me a second to remember pan=loaf.

I wasn't there but I always laugh at the story of when he and his mate (another expression we don't use in America) were asking around for "rubbers". Getting very strange expressions when they simply wanted an eraser.

What are some expressions you have heard that cause you to laugh?

 

[Peter Parka]

Having an Australian wife, there are several that she uses. She always makes me laugh when she calls flip flops thongs. She also calls pants knickers but the most confusing one is calling crisps chips. She got really fustrated when we were at the pub, I was going to the bar and asked her if she wanted anything. She asked for chips and couldn't understand why I didn't get any because the'd stopped serving meals half an hour ago.

 

[hart]

Well I call them flip flops and thongs interchangably But then I don't wear "thongs" other than on my feet

 

[JoeCool10]

In Miami, we call flip flops chancletas(sp?). It's a Cuban slang.

 

[Peter Parka]

Your wife is correct in her speaking! It is you, Peter, who are wrong!!:clap

How do you tell the difference between the two kinds of chips when speaking? Seeing they are both a popular snack, if seems kind of confusing to me as illustrated in my previous post.

 

[Peter Parka]

What does your wife call her coat? Does she call it a parka?

Depends if it's a parka or not. What's your point? :confused

 

[Peter Parka]

All raincoats are parkas!:thumbup

No the're not but even if they were, what's your point? What is the term parka likely to be confused with?

 

[JoeCool10]

And Peter uses "pissed" as "drunk". I know what that means either way, but it can be confusing to some people.

 

[Peter Parka]

Nothing, I'm just curious as to whether she uses the word. Parka is also a word used to describe a parking spot, by the way.

Never heard that one before, must be an Aussie thing too, could be confusing but not nearly as confusing as calling crisps and chips the same thing, still.

 

[AstriaPorta]

I always thought was call everywhere chips

 

[Peter Parka]

And Peter uses "pissed" as "drunk". I know what that means either way, but it can be confusing to some people.

It's easy to tell the difference
Pissed - drunk
Pissed off - angry
:thumbup

The Americans call them fries!

Fries are slightly different to chips and we have fries here too. Chips are fatter and softer than skinny, crispy fries.

 

[hart]

I did not know that. But the Fish and Chips I have had in Ireland does have fat fries.

 

[Peter Parka]

Oh, another term I found confusing at first was when I was in Scotland and everyone kept saying ken at the end of everything. I was wondering who this Ken bloke was and why he was so popular until I found out it's a term used in parts of Scotland which means ok. :24::surrender

 

[hart]

LOL Peter. It reminds me of when my mom was married to her first hubby. Her Mother In Law said "Y'all come back now, Y'here. So mom turned around and went back to her MIL.

MIL was saying please come visit again.

 

[cam elle toe]

All raincoats are parkas!:thumbup

no they aren't. A Parka is thicker and warmer than a raincoat.

Nothing, I'm just curious as to whether she uses the word. Parka is also a word used to describe a parking spot, by the way.

I have never heard of it used that way...must be a Victorian thing.

 

[cam elle toe]

we also "piss ourselves" laughing...and Drink "piss"

 

[Peter Parka]

we also "piss ourselves" laughing...and Drink "piss"

I love it when Aussies ay the're going to "suck some piss", cracks me up. Australians also have the best and most varied terms for being sick.:thumbup

 

[cam elle toe]

I love it when Aussies ay the're going to "suck some piss", cracks me up. Australians also have the best and most varied terms for being sick.:thumbup

Yeah...we're a cultured lot...and this be our minister for culture and the arts...

Sir Les Patterson:thumbup

 

[Peter Parka]

Yeah...we're a cultured lot...and this be our minister for culture and the arts...

Sir Les Patterson:thumbup

Love Barry Humphries :24:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIbkxQkenNM

 

[Butterfly]

We also use chips for crisps and chips LOL
You may ask for "slap" chips though, which are the 'fish and chips' version. Slap is an Afrikaans word meaning floppy/soft.