# British, American different turns of phrase **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 22, 2010, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070 "2010-12-22T13:58:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/21 "2010-12-22T16:05:49Z")
> [@Wallenstein](#): > > I guess most US sports teams are plural (Jets, Yankess, Bears etc), but would you say “Ohio State are going to win” or “Ohio state is going to win”? > > How about in politics? > > UK: The government are willing to consider all options > US: The senate are/is reviewing the options…? In the US those examples would be “is.” When I say them the other way they just sounds somehow off to my ears. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/22 "2010-12-22T16:07:34Z")
well, in the sports world there’s the Jazz, the Wild and the Heat; don’t recall how they’re normally referred to. Another difference is in relation to the word “sort”, used to solve a problem. Last time I was in the UK I was struck by how it’s used without a preposition (“We’ll sort that problem with your booking”), where I would normally use “sort out”. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/23 "2010-12-22T16:09:38Z")
> [@statsman1982](#): > > “Writing an exam” > US: compiling a set of questions for students to answer > UK: answering questions on an exam. > > This leads to my question of how professors in the UK describe the task of creating an exam. here in Canada, we use “writing an exam” to mean answer the questions. When I’ve taught a class, I use “preparing the exam” when I’m creating it. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/24 "2010-12-22T16:09:48Z")
UK: Jason dived into the pool/Jason was diving into the pool. US: Jason dove into the pool. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/25 "2010-12-22T16:18:36Z")
> [@statsman1982](#): > > Here’s my contribution, which is a variant of something posted earlier. > > “Writing an exam” > US: compiling a set of questions for students to answer > UK: answering questions on an exam. > > This leads to my question of how professors in the UK describe the task of creating an exam. Not common usage in the UK I’m afraid. In the UK we would say “taking an exam”. Where “writing an exam” is ever used (not common to my knowledge) it would be in the same context as the US, i.e. creating an exam (although “setting an exam” would be more usual) I’m aware that all I’ve done here is shoot a lot of assumptions down in flames. Let me be clear. I am not the gatekeeper of common phrases in the UK. This is my own experience speaking here and I’m happy for any UK dopers to put me straight. (is that a particularly UK phrase?) ---
**Author:** ![Puff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce73a5/32.png) [@Puff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Puff)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/26 "2010-12-22T16:37:30Z")
A personal favourite is with telling the time: UK - Half-Six US - Six thirty We certainly say the US version in the UK and you would be completely understood and it would be considered normal to use either - but whenever I use the UK version in the US i get blank stares. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/27 "2010-12-22T16:47:41Z")
American: “I’d like a beer, please.” Soccar Hooligan: “Gie us a fookin’ Newcastle, mate!” ---
**Author:** ![Puff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce73a5/32.png) [@Puff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Puff)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/28 "2010-12-22T16:51:53Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > I’m happy for any UK dopers to put me straight. (is that a particularly UK phrase?) You’ve done a stand-up job representing so far… (few shout out’s to my adopted country’s lingo) Absolutely on this last one - and it’s variants - put you straight, straighten you out, set you straight, on the straight and narrow, straight from the horses mouth (stretch) ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/29 "2010-12-22T16:54:46Z")
> [@Puff](#): > > A personal favourite is with telling the time: > > UK - Half-Six > US - Six thirty > > We certainly say the US version in the UK and you would be completely understood and it would be considered normal to use either - but whenever I use the UK version in the US i get blank stares. And if you said it to a German or a Scandinavian (probably a Dutchman as well) you could be very misunderstood as it means half an hour before six in those languages. ---
**Author:** ![Wallenstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/30 "2010-12-22T16:57:59Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > well, in the sports world there’s the Jazz, the Wild and the Heat; don’t recall how they’re normally referred to. > > Another difference is in relation to the word “sort”, used to solve a problem. Last time I was in the UK I was struck by how it’s used without a preposition (“We’ll sort that problem with your booking”), where I would normally use “sort out”. While that’s definitely the common spoken usage in the UK, I’m not sure I’d use it in written form as it is (IMO) a fairly colloquial use. My mother certainly wouldn’t use it that way, whereas many of the other examples given are pretty well used across society. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/31 "2010-12-22T17:04:14Z")
What always strikes me is the American habit of ending casual phrases with a helper verb instead of a verb. (I think I am referring to the right parts of speech - happy to have someone straighten me out) Question: Will you go to Lisa’s house Friday? American: I might. British: I might do. ---
**Author:** ![Puff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce73a5/32.png) [@Puff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Puff)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/32 "2010-12-22T17:04:49Z")
> [@Floater](#): > > And if you said it to a German or a Scandinavian (probably a Dutchman as well) you could be very misunderstood as it means half an hour before six in those languages. I’ve had that very thing happen on a few occasions. Actually reminds me of another strange British quirk with the phrase - “Half of Six” would align with the Scandinavian translation. Although it would seem a little odd to most people today, I think it’s an older turn of phrase that is all but extinct. ---
**Author:** ![rayman5321](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@rayman5321](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayman5321)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/33 "2010-12-22T17:05:41Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I’ve heard Americans use the phrase “write to me,” too. I’ve always said “write to me”. ---
**Author:** ![rayman5321](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@rayman5321](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayman5321)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/34 "2010-12-22T17:12:00Z")
[quote=“Wallenstein, post:7, topic:565070”] In news reports the ommission in US english of “on” when referring to dates. US: A 19-year-old woman was injured Saturday afternoon when her car hit a tree. UK: A 19-year-old woman was injured on Saturday afternoon when her car hit a tree. Also: US: I could care less UK: I couldn’t care less[/QU I couldn’t care less is correct The former is said by ignorant people. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/35 "2010-12-22T17:14:53Z")
I’m going to second what others have said above about “writing” an exam or test. A couple of friends of mine from GB certainly do say “write a test” to mean “take a test.” My Canadian colleagues do the same. I thought this was common knowledge. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/36 "2010-12-22T17:32:45Z")
> [@](#): > > Also: > > US: I could care less > UK: I couldn’t care less[/QU > > I couldn’t care less is correct The former is said by ignorant people. > Reply With Quote Already mentioned in #7 and commented on by me in post #8. It’s definitely not a US/UK thing, since I hear both versions here. ---
**Author:** ![Wallenstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/37 "2010-12-22T17:34:00Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > I’m going to second what others have said above about “writing” an exam or test. A couple of friends of mine from GB certainly do say “write a test” to mean “take a test.” My Canadian colleagues do the same. I thought this was common knowledge. In 12 years of school and four years of university and five years of professional training I’ve never heard anyone say “write a test” or “write an exam”. It might be more common in international English, but in the UK I don’t know anyone who’d say that. If I heard it I’d automatically assume the speaker was American. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/38 "2010-12-22T17:37:25Z")
US: take turns UK: take it in turns ---
**Author:** ![BobArrgh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobarrgh/32/2881_2.png) [@BobArrgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobArrgh)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/39 "2010-12-22T17:42:42Z")
I realize the OP is looking for phrases rather than a single word, but I think the term “momentarily” has two distinct meanings. US: momentarily means “in a moment, in just a little while” (We’ll get to that momentarily = we’ll get to that in just a little bit) UK: momentarily means “for a moment” (We’ll get to that momentarily = we’ll briefly touch on the subject before moving on). Also, I think the phrase “table a motion” has different meanings depending upon the country. In the US, “to table a motion” means that the motion is going to be set aside and will not be considered, whereas in the UK, the same type of phrase indicates that the debate on that particular subject will begin. Finally, does the phrase “knock up” in the UK still mean “to knock on someone’s door”? In the US, “knock up” means “to get someone pregnant”. ---
**Author:** ![BobArrgh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobarrgh/32/2881_2.png) [@BobArrgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobArrgh)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-american-different-turns-of-phrase/565070/40 "2010-12-22T17:43:45Z")
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