# Britishisms **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 24, 2004, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462 "2004-12-24T09:51:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2004, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/81 "2004-12-26T23:08:58Z")
I had this question when I was reading the Bridget Jones books - “Minstrels” are a kind of card candy, right? At first I thought they were a brand of cigarettes. Dairy Box, Milk Tray and Quality Street are boxed chocolate candy, I’m guessing and there’s something called a Lion Bar. I know there are more but I can’t think of them now… ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2004, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/82 "2004-12-26T23:14:51Z")
Brits: Please define “wanker” and “wank” - in lots of movies. Is it just “homosexual” and “masturbate” or something more specific? ---
**Author:** ![confessorknight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9a140/32.png) [@confessorknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/confessorknight)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2004, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/83 "2004-12-26T23:27:59Z")
\*Originally posted by **eleanorigby** \* > [@](#): > > Anorak=casual coat > Windcheater=windbreaker > Burberry=trench coat (?) > Electric fire=baseboard heater or radiator (?). > Pram=large, awkward expensive baby carriage > ? (I have forgotten the name for this!)=umbrella stroller > Nappies=diapers > Mates=friends/quasi-friends. As regards this list can I point out: An anorak is generally a particular type fur-lined rainproof coat. [pic](http://www.smart.co.uk/dreams/anorak.jpg) (also a disparaging term for the obsessive pursuer of traditionally geek activities) Burberry is a brand-name of a clothing company much loved of certain sections of British youth and an electric fire may be either some form of [bar heater](http://www.satori-5.co.uk/2_mcs/2_fpe/present_situation_p1/local_photos/9b_shed_elec_fire.jpg) or a _faux_ [flame-effect](http://www.naturalheating.co.uk/images/kibworthblarge.jpg) heater designed to be put in a real fireplace. ---
**Author:** ![confessorknight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9a140/32.png) [@confessorknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/confessorknight)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2004, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/84 "2004-12-26T23:34:05Z")
“Wanker” and “Wank” literally mean Mastubator and Masturbate respectively but have taken on metaphorical meanings related to these. Any form of self aggrandising intellectualism or sophistry may be regarded as mental mazturbation or “a load of wank”. Wanker is a good all-purpose insult. ---
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2004, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/85 "2004-12-26T23:50:13Z")
> [@a35362](#): > > I had this question when I was reading the Bridget Jones books - “Minstrels” are a kind of card candy, right? At first I thought they were a brand of cigarettes. > > Dairy Box, Milk Tray and Quality Street are boxed chocolate candy Minstrels are like extra-large Smarties/M&Ms and the candy coating is brown. Dairy Box and Milk Tray are boxed chocolates. You can get Quality Street in boxes, but the chocolates are loose inside the box - not in a little tray. However, they’re normally sold in a tin. To add to **confessorknight’s** last post, wanker is a gender specific insult. You wouldn’t call a woman a wanker, though you might ask if you could watch. ---
**Author:** ![fortytwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f9ae1b/32.png) [@fortytwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fortytwo)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2004, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/86 "2004-12-26T23:59:01Z")
> [@Ignatz](#): > > Brits: Please define “wanker” and “wank” - in lots of movies. Is it just “homosexual” and “masturbate” or something more specific? I see on prieview that an answer has been given but, A Wanker has nothing to do with homosexuality. It’s a derisory term for someone who in some way has not come up to your expectations (to put it mildly 🙂 ) eg. David Blunkett is a wanker. ---
**Author:** ![fortytwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f9ae1b/32.png) [@fortytwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fortytwo)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/87 "2004-12-27T00:01:42Z")
> [@Vetch](#): > > I see on prieview that an answer has been given but, > A Wanker has nothing to do with homosexuality. It’s a derisory term for someone who in some way has not come up to your expectations (to put it mildly 🙂 ) eg. David Blunkett is a wanker. And I see on preview that I can’t spell preview (even though I clicked on “Preview Post” to preview my post. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/88 "2004-12-27T00:20:34Z")
Smarties are also known as Sweetarts, which is a kind of sour/sweet small crunchy candy. My SIL and her friend were over in England several years ago. Maybe you can tell me if the faux pas they committed are still as :eek: today. They went into a pub and ordered pints. They were informed later that ladies don’t order pints, they order half-pints. They met up with a couple of guys and later on asked if they could get a ride. Apparently that meant something different that a lift home. The UK also doesn’t have doggie bags? Here, because the servings in sit-down restaurants are so huge, it’s not unusual to have the leftovers boxed up and brought home, called “doggie bags.” We also tip servers over here for restaurant service, something that isn’t as common over there? ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/89 "2004-12-27T00:24:13Z")
**subway** : an underground passage for foot traffic **drinks party** : cocktail party **leaving party** : “last day” or retirement party **leavings** : scraps (of a meal) **wally** : nerd or geek **range** : a line of products **stockist** : places that sell those products **removals** : moving and relocation services **interval** : intermission ---
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/90 "2004-12-27T00:43:43Z")
Spunk. In Britain, that means semen. US - “I’m leery of…” UK - “I’m wary of…” US - leery = suspicious. UK - leery (or lary or lairy) = sarcastic. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/91 "2004-12-27T00:58:50Z")
> [@Kal](#): > > Spunk. In Britain, that means semen. That makes that classic line from _The Mary Tyler Moore Show_ even funnier: Lou (to Mary): You’ve got spunk. I hate spunk. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/92 "2004-12-27T01:08:22Z")
(US) theater \> (UK) theatre (US) Movie theatre \> (UK) Cinema (or ‘the flicks’, but that might be more international) ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/93 "2004-12-27T01:15:47Z")
> [@confessorknight](#): > > an electric fire may be … some form of [bar heater](http://www.satori-5.co.uk/2_mcs/2_fpe/present_situation_p1/local_photos/9b_shed_elec_fire.jpg) In my apartment (or “flat”), I have something on that order – it’s called a _space heater_ in the USA. In the UK, a _saloon car_ isn’t assumed to be equipped with liquor – the term is equivalent to what Americans would call a _sedan_. Meanwhile, a _station wagon_ on the roads of Indiana is an _estate car_ if on the motorways of England. Some spelling differences (USA first): maneuver – manoeuvre connection – connexion encyclopedia – encyclopædia tire (a rubber ring around a wheel) – tyre plow – plough ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/94 "2004-12-27T01:16:37Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > They went into a pub and ordered pints. They were informed later that ladies don’t order pints, they order half-pints. That may have been strictly the case several decades ago, but unless the occasion is verging on the formal, nobody will normally bat an eyelid at a female pint-drinker. > [@](#): > > The UK also doesn’t have doggie bags? Here, because the servings in sit-down restaurants are so huge, it’s not unusual to have the leftovers boxed up and brought home, called “doggie bags.” Not all that common; most restaurants will do it if asked (and it’s probably quite commonplace in pizza restaurants, where the leftovers are whole, untouched slices), but yes, portion sizes in UK restaurants are usually the correct size to be eaten at a sitting; conspicuous oversizing of portions is pretty much synonymous with poor quality here. > [@](#): > > We also tip servers over here for restaurant service, something that isn’t as common over there? Tipping is not as common here as I’m given to understand it is in the USA ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/95 "2004-12-27T07:00:46Z")
Thought of another one: US: emergency room UK: casualty ---
**Author:** ![Rhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/59ef9b/32.png) [@Rhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhubarb)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/96 "2004-12-27T07:30:58Z")
I haven’t seen these posted yet; **US -\> UK** talk show -\> chat show bathroom -\> 'loo or WC (water closet) cookie or cracker -\> biscuit How 'bout a translation from the English dopers. What’s a brolly? I’ve also never really understood the (former) British currency system. Shilling, pence, tuppence I understand, but what the heck is a quid or a bob? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/97 "2004-12-27T09:28:46Z")
> [@Rhubarb](#): > > I haven’t seen these posted yet; > > **US -\> UK** > talk show -\> chat show > bathroom -\> 'loo or WC (water closet) > cookie or cracker -\> biscuit > How 'bout a translation from the English dopers. > What’s a brolly? > > I’ve also never really understood the (former) British currency system. Shilling, pence, tuppence I understand, but what the heck is a quid or a bob? 😕 A brolly is an umbrella . Quid is slang for a pound and bob for a shilling ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/98 "2004-12-27T11:23:01Z")
In the US a shag is a dance or seabird. In Britain it is a type of pipe tobacco. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/99 "2004-12-27T11:40:49Z")
Argh! Reading this thread makes my head kersplode! I’m from the Maritimes, in Canada, and we’ve retained much of our UK heritage, but also adopted some US cutoms. We have Cadbury chocolates of every type, Milk Tray, Quality Street (in tins!) etc. Smarties are chocolate, not this shite I find here in the US! We say “shite”! We say rubbish bins, take-away, duff, wanker, bum, arse, bloody (or blinkin’ in front of our grandmothers) etc. Bugger isn’t as innocent as Americans think it is! I say “for certain”, and I go to “pubs”, and a stubborn child is a “wee stump”. But my pants are trousers, but we sometimes call them trousers, too. A sweater can be a heavy pullover or a cardigan. I spell colour with a “U”, and recognise with an “s”. We say zed, not zee! And you know something? On top of all of that, I hear new and unusual stereotypes for being Canadian. I’ve never heard the word “hoser” until I came here. My FIL gave me a purple rubber duckie in my stocking this Christmas (oh, and stockings are socks!) and he says “I got you a purple one, because, you know, you’re Canadian.” Huh?? Cultures… clashing… head… asplodes. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2004, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462/100 "2004-12-27T11:41:53Z")
> [@owlstretchingtime](#): > > In the US a shag is a dance or seabird. In Britain it is a type of pipe tobacco. Fancy a shag, love? 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britishisms/281462.md?page=6)