It’s always a funny experience when I run into a language barrier with my American friends and work colleagues. The problem is most commonly with my helping verbs. Today, over lunch the 3 of us Aussies shared some terms we ran into which our American friends have / had trouble recognizing. In spirit, I compiled a list to get us Aussies accustomed to the choice of words to use when speaking with our American friends.
The list – vocabulary comparison
The following list of words are angled from an Aussie wanting to convey a message. Use the American column as a guide to see what an American will understand, and adjust accordingly.
Word | American | Australia |
Boot | Something that goes on your foot | The trunk of a car |
Texta | { confusion } Say: marker | A marker & also a brand |
Thong | G-String (the underwear) & something Borat wears | A sandal held on the foot by a strip. For reference, a La Tribe Sandal. |
Fortnight | { confusion } Say: 2 weeks | A period of fourteen consecutive days |
Soft drink | Say: soda/ pop / soda-pop | Nonalcoholic beverage (usually carbonated) |
Takeaway | { confusion } Say: to-go | Prepared food that is intended to be eaten off of the premises |
Lemonade | Drink made from lemon juice, sugar, and water – not carbonated | Fizzy lemon drink |
Arvo | { confusion } Say: Afternoon | The hours after 12pm |
Pissed | Very angry. Say: drunk | Some who is drunk |
Chemist | { confusion } Say: Pharmacy / Drug store | The place you buy medicine, shampoo, cough syrup and lotion |
Ute | { confusion } Say: Truck | An automotive vehicle suitable for hauling |
Napkin | A piece of paper or cloth you use to wipe your face and hands when you eat | A women’s sanitary product |
Barbie | It’s an anatomically incorrect female doll that comes in a pink box | What you put beef, shrimp and chicken on to grill it outside |
Rubber | A contraceptive device | An eraser |
Employment tip
If you are using British syntax/terms (non American spelling) in your LinkedIn resume, fix it up immediately or crowd source it to an American to correct the grammar for you. Recruiters in Silicon Valley use LinkedIn to “keyword search” for potential candidates using the American grammar. So you may miss out on potential offers if you are in the market for a new opportunity.
Keep these differences in mind next time chatting with an American
If you have other words which you ran into please share them below in the comments section and I will add to the list above.
Happy conversing!
~ Ernest