# What Britishisms most baffle Americans? What Americanisms most baffle Brits? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 18, 2024, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941 "2024-10-18T08:53:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 47
**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 25, 2024, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/921 "2024-12-25T20:14:27Z")
‘Happy Christmas’ is fairly common in contexts where it’s never likely to be paired with a new year greeting - so whereas I think ‘Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year’ is very common in secular circles, you’ll hear ‘Happy Christmas’ in churches more (or at least more than outside of them). (Because ‘Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year’ feels awkward because of the repetition of happy) ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/922 "2024-12-25T20:40:55Z")
^ Exactly that. As usual, Mangie has put it far betterer than what i would of. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/923 "2024-12-25T21:10:22Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > I just saw mention of a TV special called _Doctor Who at the Proms_, which some googling showed me isn’t an episode where The Doctor attends a series of formal high school dances. _The Last Night Of The Proms_ is televised each year, because it’s the one intended for kids, with some comedy and pieces they might be more familiar with. Hence, Doctor Who themes, or Peppa Pig, or Bluey, or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/924 "2024-12-25T21:13:21Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > _The Last Night Of The Proms_ is televised each year, because it’s the one intended for kids, with some comedy and pieces they might be more familiar with. Are you sure ? ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/925 "2024-12-25T21:14:39Z")
Having read that article, no I’m not sure. I was going by my own memory. Every time I’d seen it, that’s how it came across to me, but the Wikipedia article describes something very different. So I dunno. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/926 "2024-12-25T21:18:19Z")
Here’s the program from the 2024 LNOTP … > **[Prom 73: Last Night of the Proms 2024](https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/erzv9r)** > > The BBC Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and Singers are joined by Grammy Award-winning American soprano Angel Blue and one of Britain’s best-loved pianists, Sir Stephen Hough, for the biggest musical party of the year. There are other themed proms, like the dr who one, and more children targeted ones. > **[Children's Proms: a whistlestop tour through the last 30 years, from Horrible...](https://www.classical-music.com/bbc-proms/childrens-proms)** > > Est. reading time: 7 minutes ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/927 "2024-12-25T22:41:27Z")
There was a round of Xmas greeting on my allotment (/community garden) WhatsApp group today. For the record, amongst the emojis et al, Merry outnumbered Happy by 8 to 1. Of course, these tend to be older folks. Separately, my young friend E wished me a Happy Xmas. Some age related stuff going on perhaps? j ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/928 "2024-12-26T10:39:59Z")
Just thought of another US/UK bafflement - driving licences. I explained to my British friends that each US state issues their own licences. This led them to believe that if you had a licence from state A and got pulled over in state B then you’d get fined for not having a valid licence. They were also surprised that you have to renew the licence every 4 to 5 years depending on state. In the UK your licence is valid from the day it’s issued until your 70th birthday, barring having it revoked for any reason. After 70 you have to renew every 3 years and have an eyesight test. The original licence was a rather large sheet of paper and you weren’t required to have it with you while driving. About 20 years ago a plastic photo ID licence was introduced. You need to renew with a new photo every 10 years. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/929 "2024-12-26T12:18:43Z")
> [@kferr](#): > > This led them to believe that if you had a licence from state A and got pulled over in state B then you’d get fined for not having a valid licence. I have a feeling that was specific to that particular group of people - or at least people who don’t travel much. It’s common for visitors to be allowed to drive in country A with a license issued in country B. You might need an international driving permit (which is a translation of your license ) but you don’t generally need to go through the whole licensing process in country B unless you are staying long-term. ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/930 "2024-12-26T16:03:33Z")
At one time you had to renew your British licence every few years (three, I think) through the county. This was changed in the early '70s to a single national centre in Swansea, which rapidly acquired a reputation for lengthy delays. If you’ve never changed address you can continue to use the old green licence without photo on it - though these were not valid for international driving. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/931 "2024-12-26T16:19:40Z")
I just re-read this and I am confused . What does > [@kferr](#): > > In the UK your licence is valid from the day it’s issued until your 70th birthday, barring having it revoked for any reason. mean if you have to renew a photo license with a new photo every 10 years ? If you mean you don’t have to go through the whole testing process again, that’s the same in the US. In fact, I had the same photo for about 20 years since the only thing I have to do for a renewal (every 8 years) is take an eye test and pay the fee. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/932 "2024-12-26T16:36:49Z")
I think what is meant that the UK fairly recently changed from using a piece of paper with NO photo, valid for decades, to a system with photos that looks a bit more like other places. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/933 "2024-12-26T16:44:36Z")
Correct. If anything on that type of license needs updating you will be issued with a new photo card version, eg if you change address, name etc. or you commit a driving offense which results in endorsements/points being added. (“endorsement” has another meaning in the UK). ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/934 "2024-12-26T17:19:05Z")
I can’t remember if it’s been mentioned, but my husband will often say things like “put the kitchen towels on the side” for “put the paper towels on the counter.” ---
**Author:** ![colinfred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colinfred/32/21338_2.png) [@colinfred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colinfred)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/935 "2024-12-26T17:24:10Z")
Also Americans make a lot of complaints about having to go to the DMV, queues at the DMV etc. We don’t have to go anywhere to renew our driving licences. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/936 "2024-12-26T17:33:06Z")
I didn’t have to go in when my expired: just filled out an online renewal form, and the state mailed an updated license with the photo from ten years ago on it. Perhaps applying that Quintin Crisp quote about house dust to middle age white guys: after a few years the ugly doesn’t get worse. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/937 "2024-12-26T18:04:43Z")
I’ve complained about DMV, too but I’ve never gone there to renew anything. Renewals have been by mail since my first renewal in the 80s and now they are online. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/938 "2024-12-26T20:52:27Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > mean if you have to renew a photo license with a new photo every 10 years ? If you mean you don’t have to go through the whole testing process again, that’s the same in the US. In fact, I had the same photo for about 20 years since the only thing I have to do for a renewal (every 8 years) is take an eye test and pay the fee. I don’t know if it’s still this way, but the eye test in the UK is a bit of a joke. You go into the testing centre and meet your examiner. As you go out to your car the examiner will point to a car that’s around 30-50 feet away and ask you to read the number plate. That’s it. Your eyes will never be checked again until you reach 70. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/939 "2024-12-26T21:19:47Z")
Arizona, not fighting any stereotypes of being a place that old people go to retire\*, had their licenses expire at age 65. Now that Real ID requirements are in effect, I think most places would have an 8 year expiration term. \*I’m not sure of what Florida’s DL requirements were, but that’s the only place I remember a minimum speed limit posted on an interstate, so stereotypes work there too. ---
**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 26, 2024, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/940 "2024-12-26T21:31:13Z")
I only upgraded my paper driving licence from paper to the plastic card about 3 or 4 years ago, because it wasn’t mandatory to do so unless something about the driving licence needed to change; only when I moved house and the address had to change, did it become fully necessary for me to get the plastic card type licence. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941.md?page=46) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941.md?page=48)