# 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:** 55
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2025, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1081 "2025-02-02T14:11:18Z")
And the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band’s “Jollity Farm.” ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1082 "2025-02-02T15:07:10Z")
I’m not sure if this is an Americanism per se, but it is an oddity of American usage which I’ve noticed and puzzled over. Any time an American wants to describe pastry, they will say that it is: a) “buttery” and b) “flakey” (If a third adjective is required, it will be “golden”) What seems most odd to me is that they will do this even when the pastry in question is very clearly neither buttery nor flakey. I recently saw a YouTube video in which an American in the UK tried a pork pie and, true to form, described the crust as “buttery and flakey” even though pork pies are universally encased in hot water crust pastry, which is made with lard, and the very opposite of flakey. So does anyone have a clue as to what’s going on here? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2025, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1083 "2025-02-02T15:31:39Z")
They don’t know what they’re talking about? To me, “buttery” means tasting and having the mouthfeel of butter. So I can sorta see something made with lard being described as “buttery,” but that’s not how I would use it, especially if it had a pronounced porky flavor. “Flaky” means it flakes, rather than something crumbly or solid. It doesn’t have to be something as layered with little pockets of air like phyllo or a croissant, but something where there are tiny little pockets that almost create layers. Like a classic pie dough where butter and flour are mixed together, but not laminated in layers, and make that characteristic texture. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2025, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1084 "2025-02-02T15:49:35Z")
Well, exactly. And that’s why It’s noticeable to me when the default for so many Americans is “buttery and flakey”, no matter what the actual qualities of the the pastry are. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2025, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1085 "2025-02-02T16:06:05Z")
Obligatory YouTube link: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/DIrQ9ilL8aw/hqdefault.jpg "Bloopers: Baked In A Buttery Flaky Crust | "Buttery Flaky Outtakes" | Dysart's | Bangor, ME") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIrQ9ilL8aw) ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1086 "2025-02-02T20:22:51Z")
Maybe because advertising uses those terms for pastry? ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2025, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1087 "2025-02-03T08:05:50Z")
A buggery crispy crust… I’ve baked a few like that. Here’s someone else tripping over their own tongue: [https://www.andrewhost.com/audio/radio/bloopers-2sm-03-firestone-tyre-factory.mp3](https://www.andrewhost.com/audio/radio/bloopers-2sm-03-firestone-tyre-factory.mp3) ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2025, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1088 "2025-02-03T09:10:33Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > That’s a pinafore. When I wore one to my English girl’s school, it was called a tunic. But I think either term works. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2025, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1089 "2025-02-03T09:14:22Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > “Ta ra” is common in Wales, in both Welsh and English. I think it’s originally from Northern England, but you’ll hear it all over these days, particularly in the North and Midlands. But equally no one will look at you strangely for saying it in London. ---
**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:** [February 3, 2025, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1090 "2025-02-03T21:13:19Z")
Re jumpers etc: > [@GuanoLad](#): > > These garments each have a different name based on their collar shape, their knitting technique, or which animal the wool is sourced from. It gets complicated. …but not complicated enough. So I’ll just add that when I was a lad (Ehhh…) the general word I would have used was Pullover. > **[pullover](https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/pullover)** > > 1. a piece of clothing that is usually made of a warm material such as wool… j ---
**Author:** ![amaguri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2025, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1091 "2025-02-03T22:24:51Z")
It always gives me pause when a Brit says “homely,” meaning cozy or unpretentious. We do use the word “homey” to kind of mean the same thing… but homely means something totally different in the US 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![hibernicus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hibernicus/32/2802_2.png) [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2025, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1092 "2025-02-03T22:34:52Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > …but not complicated enough. So I’ll just add that when I was a lad (Ehhh…) the general word I would have used was Pullover. Well then, let me add “gansey” to the mix. Originally from “Guernsey” which is a pleasing complement to “jersey”, with the same meaning. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2025, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1093 "2025-02-04T00:46:24Z")
I’ve heard pullover, and cardigans are a subclass of sweater. I agree with **amaguri** about homely. ISTR that in Britain, suspenders are not worn over the shoulders to keep pants up? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2025, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1094 "2025-02-04T04:35:01Z")
In South Africa, knitted woolen garments without a button front and with sleeves are all _jerseys_: V-neck jersey , crew-neck jersey, poloneck jersey. Pullovers are like v-neck jerseys but sleeveless. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2025, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1095 "2025-02-04T07:36:20Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > ISTR that in Britain, suspenders are not worn over the shoulders to keep pants up? Indeed. Those are braces (see also “belt and braces” as a metaphor for reinforced back-up for some activity). To us suspenders go with stockings and Carry On movies. Room for multiple confusions there, with hilarity ensuing. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2025, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1096 "2025-02-04T09:16:26Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > To us suspenders go with stockings and Carry On movies To be clear, they’re what Americans would call “garter belts”. “Braces” are what you put on your teeth. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2025, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1097 "2025-02-04T11:40:10Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Pullovers are like v-neck jerseys but sleeveless. In the US, these are “cardigans.” ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2025, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1098 "2025-02-04T11:49:42Z")
Sweater vests. Cardigans have long sleeves and button up fronts. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2025, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1099 "2025-02-04T11:50:33Z")
Tar Ra (sometimes “a bit” will be added to signify that they will not be long) is commonly heard in the North-West of England as a farewell. Gina comes from Liverpool ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2025, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941/1100 "2025-02-04T11:57:24Z")
Oh, right! My bad. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941.md?page=54) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-britishisms-most-baffle-americans-what-americanisms-most-baffle-brits/1008941.md?page=56)