[QUOTE=Colophon]
The large bit of furniture or walk-in room in your bedroom where you hang your clothes in is a “wardrobe”.
A cubbyhole under the stairs or something is a “cupboard”.
We don’t tend to use the word “closet” for anything (certainly not bathrooms) except in the phrase “come out of the closet”.
[/QUOTE]
What do you call the hall closet/coat closet just next to the front door where you keep your winter coats (anoraks?) and snow boots?
[QUOTE=acsenray]
What do you call the hall closet/coat closet just next to the front door where you keep your winter coats (anoraks?) and snow boots?
[/QUOTE]
A cloakroom. In UK houses this might also include a toilet and washbasin.
[QUOTE=Rayne Man]
A cloakroom.
[/quote]
In the United States, “cloakroom” implies something ornate and large and you’d only see it in a fancy social club or in the Capitol. It would be furnished with woodwork, brass fixtures, and servants.
You keep your coats in the same room as the toilet? In some larger houses here, there might be a “half bath” (a bathroom with no appurtenance for bathing) close to the front door, but it would definitely be separate from where the coats are kept. I think most people here would feel a bit odd storing clothing in the toilet.
[QUOTE=acsenray]
In the United States, “cloakroom” implies something ornate and large and you’d only see it in a fancy social club or in the Capitol. It would be furnished with woodwork, brass fixtures, and servants.
You keep your coats in the same room as the toilet? In some larger houses here, there might be a “half bath” (a bathroom with no appurtenance for bathing) close to the front door, but it would definitely be separate from where the coats are kept. I think most people here would feel a bit odd storing clothing in the toilet.
[/QUOTE]
Yep , this is what we used to do in our previous house.
I have just copied this of a (real) estate-agent’s website :- Enter through the storm porch to the front door into the Hall with a door to:
Cloakroom having toilet, wash basin and coat hooks
[QUOTE=Rayne Man]
I have just copied this of a (real) estate-agent’s website :- Enter through the storm porch to the front door into the Hall with a door to:
Cloakroom having toilet, wash basin and coat hooks
[/QUOTE]
Very handy come to think of it.
There you are, It’s -30 outside and you’re having a nice leisurely dump and reading the Times at the same time.
The house catches fire…are you worried about catching your death of cold waiting for the fire brigade to arrive??
Not a bit of it 
'cuz you’ve got half a dozen anoraks on, it’s the others who ** weren’t ****** taking a dump that are feeling the cold innit?
[QUOTE=Rayne Man]
I have just copied this of a (real) estate-agent’s website :- Enter through the storm porch to the front door into the Hall with a door to:
Cloakroom having toilet, wash basin and coat hooks
[/QUOTE]
I get the feeling that American households keep a much wider range of winter coats, rain coats, jackets, scarves/mufflers, hats, caps, gloves/mittens, shoes, sandals/thongs, house slippers, snow boots, rain boots, umbrellas, sneakers, etc. in the hall closet.
In most houses I visit, the hall closet is absolutely crammed with outerwear and footwear for all seasons. I can’t imagine all this range of stuff hanging on a few hooks in the half bath. Or is that the case?
[QUOTE=glee]
Allow me to point out that American chaps wear their pants on the outside, while Brits wear trousers over their pants.
[/QUOTE]
That’s not true for all of the UK. Referring to “trousers” as “pants” is common up north.
[QUOTE=acsenray]
I get the feeling that American households keep a much wider range of winter coats, rain coats, jackets, scarves/mufflers, hats, caps, gloves/mittens, shoes, sandals/thongs, house slippers, snow boots, rain boots, umbrellas, sneakers, etc. in the hall closet.
In most houses I visit, the hall closet is absolutely crammed with outerwear and footwear for all seasons. I can’t imagine all this range of stuff hanging on a few hooks in the half bath. Or is that the case?
[/QUOTE]
When we had one of these rooms we had a couple of outside coats plus gloves and hats for the winter months. We used to rotate this with lighter coats for the summer. In the “off season” we would store the unwanted articles in an ordinary clothes cupboard upstairs.
[QUOTE=GorillaMan]
Except for the silent H! 
[/QUOTE]
Really?? I grew up fairly near by (East Anglia) and always pronounced it MIL-den-Hall. But then I’m posh and talk proper 
[QUOTE=Cunctator]
AKA - in Australia - as thongs. “Jandals” was one of the more noteable New Zealandisms that I recall from my time there.
[/QUOTE]
And “thongs” are something quite different in American English- they’re underwear, not shoes. What Aussies call “thongs” are “flip-flops” here. I remember doing a double take at a tourist-oriented gift shop in Sydney that had a sign saying that they sold thongs, until I realized what thongs are there.
Another difference: Shiraz/Syrah. They’re red wines made from the same grape. In the US, you’ll see either name used (I haven’t noticed a consistent stylistic difference between the wines themselves)- some wineries call it Syrah, some call it Shiraz. And Shiraz may be pronounced “shi-rahz” or “shi-razz” (the former is slightly more common). If you go to a wine bar and say you want a “shi-rahz”, they know what you mean. Not so at a wine bar I went to in Adelaide. They didn’t know what I was talking about when I asked for a sparkling “shi-rahz”. I’ve also never seen an Australian winery label it Syrah. I think New Zealand calls it Syrah, though I could be wrong.
[QUOTE=Anne Neville]
And “thongs” are something quite different in American English- they’re underwear, not shoes. What Aussies call “thongs” are “flip-flops” here. I remember doing a double take at a tourist-oriented gift shop in Sydney that had a sign saying that they sold thongs, until I realized what thongs are there.
[/QUOTE]
Actually, until recent times, the footwear was called “thongs” in the US. Only when the mini-underwear craze took off did people stop using the term for flip-flops.
[QUOTE=FatBaldGuy]
Actually, until recent times, the footwear was called “thongs” in the US. Only when the mini-underwear craze took off did people stop using the term for flip-flops.
[/QUOTE]
You’re right- I vaguely remember them being “thongs” when I was a kid.
Can I get a further reading on the mystery that is known as the Airing Closet/cupboard
Hanging your towels and linens over the water heater that is in a closet…and stuff like that there.
Is this right?
I am pretty sure the jet lag made my brain cramp up on that one and purge it instantly.
We called the airing cupboard “the hot press” it contained the boiler for hot water, towels and sheets. I’m English, but my mum is Irish - is it an Irish term maybe?
So, does being “fagged” and being “knackered” mean the same thing? I love the word “knackered” . Knackered, knackered, knackered.
'Course, I am assuming “knackered” is British/UK. Maybe it isn’t. Set me straight, huh?
–Beck
[QUOTE=Bam Boo Gut]
We called the airing cupboard “the hot press” it contained the boiler for hot water, towels and sheets. I’m English, but my mum is Irish - is it an Irish term maybe?
[/QUOTE]
The airing cupboard usually doesn’t contain the boiler (furnace) but the hot water storage tank. It is fitted with slatted shelves to store such items as bed linen and towels. It’s also a great place for bread dough (to ensure it rises OK) and for air-drying herbs.
[QUOTE=amijane]
Really?? I grew up fairly near by (East Anglia) and always pronounced it MIL-den-Hall. But then I’m posh and talk proper
[/QUOTE]
I bet you put a D into Aldeburgh, too? 
[QUOTE=Rebecca DiMwitter]
So, does being “fagged” and being “knackered” mean the same thing?
[/QUOTE]
Yes, but ‘knackered’ is by far the more common term. To my ears, ‘Fagged’ and ‘fagged out’ are a bit posh. (Inverted snob, me?!)
[QUOTE=Dominic Mulligan]
That’s not true for all of the UK. Referring to “trousers” as “pants” is common up north.
[/QUOTE]
'scuse me, it’s “ooop north”
**** Gorilla Man **** and it’s “shagged out” 'cuz I aint a bit posh
[QUOTE=Rebecca DiMwitter]
'Course, I am assuming “knackered” is British/UK. Maybe it isn’t. Set me straight, huh?
[/QUOTE]
The Knacker’s Yard (or simply the Knacker’s) is where old Horses go to get turned into glue (or other animals go to become rendered into non-food related things), interestingly enough…