Brit Speak Cheat Sheet
A language resource for Americans in British fandoms (such as Sherlock :-)
The following is my attempt to track and remember to use the British equivalents for various terms and expressions that come up when writing fic in the Sherlock fandom. It is not anything like comprehensive and I expect there are plenty of mistakes. PLEASE HELP IMPROVE IT! Comment with additions, corrections, what-have-you. Rants, pet peeves, all welcome :-) Also links to anything like this that already exists.
Links:
sh_britglish
British to American
British slang
Americanisms
Britishisms
Explanation of doctors in the army in Britain:
Part 1
Part 2
links to more resources
Note: Many of the terms on the 'American' side are also used in Britain. They are listed to provide Americans other options for British terms.
Notes on British Education:*
Primary (4-11): infant (4-7), junior or middle (7-11)
Secondary (11-16 or 11-18): Last two years are not compulsory; often called sixth form (lower and upper). They can be done at the same secondary school or at college. I believe this when the A-levels are done.
There are also grammar/comprehensive systems but I don't have details.
University
First class, 2.1 and 2.2 degrees are with honours. e.g. BA Hons, BSc Hons etc.
A "pass" is an ordinary degree without honours. Some universities grant Starred Firsts to outstanding students. A "double first" can refer to first-class honours in two separate subjects, e.g., Classics and Mathematics
Cambridge and Oxford have many terms specific to their university/colleges.
Undergraduate (bachelor) degrees normally take 3 years (4 in the US).
Masters degrees normally take 1 year (1 or 2 in US).
A PhD takes 3-4 years of full time study.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_undergraduate_degree_classification
Medical Education
The first medical degree is called MB/ChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery). This is a five year degree that you begin straight from high school. Although it's not a doctorate, you can call yourself "Doctor" once you get it.
MD is a post-graduate degree, equivalent to a PhD in other fields. Watson might have one (the original Study in Scarlet was subtitled “Being a Reprint from the Reminiscences of John H. Watson, MD, Late of the Army Medical Department”) but he wouldn't need one.
He would, however, need to be at least an associate member of either the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) or the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS). The former is more likely for the simple reason that he still calls himself "Dr" - for historical reasons, when you gain full membership in the RCS you drop the "Dr" and go back to being plain "Mr"/"Ms" -- regardless of how many doctorates you also hold. British surgeons wear their "Mr" as a badge of pride, and can actually get quite offended if you call them "Doctor".
*These notes are taken from comments that I lost track of :(
See comments on this post below for much more information, clarification, discussion of regionalisms, etc.
Regarding regionalisms: I made this post because I am in the Sherlock fandom, so the focus is on terms that those characters would use. They are mostly white males in their 30's to 40's, living in London, with a range of class backgrounds from working to upper. People with details about how any Sherlock characters would speak are welcome (including older women like Mrs. Hudson, or any of the range of minor characters)! As is anybody with info about Brit-speak anywhere; just know that if your comment is more about speech in another part of Britain, or what is now in use among young people (for example), I may not add it to the list. Also, it's hard to put in a lot of detail and context in the list, so information along those lines can be found in the comments below :-)
Thank you all commenters for helping grow the list and make it accurate! I plan to continue updating the list with your additions, even if it take me a while to get to it :-)
Brit Speak Cheat Sheet
The following is my attempt to track and remember to use the British equivalents for various terms and expressions that come up when writing fic in the Sherlock fandom. It is not anything like comprehensive and I expect there are plenty of mistakes. PLEASE HELP IMPROVE IT! Comment with additions, corrections, what-have-you. Rants, pet peeves, all welcome :-) Also links to anything like this that already exists.
Links:
sh_britglishBritish to American
British slang
Americanisms
Britishisms
Explanation of doctors in the army in Britain:
Part 1
Part 2
links to more resources
Note: Many of the terms on the 'American' side are also used in Britain. They are listed to provide Americans other options for British terms.
| American | English |
|---|---|
| General grammar/phrases | |
| gotten | got |
| a couple things | a couple of things; a few things |
| (go to/at) the hospital | (go to/at) hospital (no 'the') |
| go do (something) | go and do (something); go to do (something); do something (leave out 'go') |
| On the weekend | at the weekend |
| Spelling/related words | |
| -or (color, flavor, etc.) | -our (colour, flavour, etc.) |
| -ize (recognize, realize, etc.) | -ise (recognise,realise, etc.) |
| -er (center, theater) | -re (centre, theatre) |
| airplane | aeroplane |
| counterclockwise | anti-clockwise |
| program | programme |
| ad, advertisement | advert |
| ton | tonne |
| fetus | foetus |
| pedophile | paedophile |
| encyclopedia | encyclopaedia |
| pajamas | pyjamas |
| while | whilst or while |
| among | amongst or among |
| whine | whine or whinge |
| normalcy | normality |
| accounting | accountancy |
| Household/buildings | |
| apartment | flat |
| studio | bedsit |
| projects | council estates |
| first floor | ground floor |
| second floor | first floor |
| driveway | carriageway |
| realtor | estate agent |
| for rent | to let |
| Kitchen | |
| stove | hob |
| counter | work top |
| refrigerator | fridge |
| napkin | serviette |
| garbage | rubbish |
| trash can | bin |
| dumpster | skip |
| Bath | |
| bathroom | loo |
| restroom | toilet, Ladies/Gents |
| washroom | cloakroom |
| toilet paper | loo roll, bog roll |
| bathtub | bath |
| washcloth | flannel |
| Tylenol, acetominophen | paracetamol |
| band-aid | plaster |
| Bedroom | |
| nightstand | bedside table |
| comforter | duvet |
| closet | cupboard |
| linen closet | airing cupboard |
| crash | kip |
| crib | cot |
| Main | |
| living room | sitting room |
| flashlight | torch |
| television | telly |
| tv show | programme |
| vacuuming | hoovering |
| advice column | agony |
| Dear Abby (advice columnist) | agony aunt |
| Clothing | |
| sweater | jumper |
| pants | trousers |
| zipper | zip |
| fly | flies |
| vest | waistcoat |
| undershirt | vest |
| garters | suspenders |
| suspenders | braces |
| shorts (underwear) | pants |
| panties | knickers |
| sneakers | trainers |
| soccer cleats | football boots |
| cleats | studs |
| ballet flat | pump |
| pump | court shoe |
| custom-made, tailor-made | bespoke |
| Food | |
| cookies | biscuits |
| candy | sweets |
| dessert | pudding |
| pudding | custard |
| french fries | chips |
| potato chips | crisps |
| pickles | gherkins |
| soda | pop |
| soda water | soda |
| Jello | jelly |
| jam, jelly | jam |
| pie: US usually sweet | UK usually meat |
| sausage | banger |
| eggplant | aubergine |
| expiration | expiry |
| Out and about/shopping/recreation | |
| sidewalk | pavement |
| elevator | lift |
| call up | ring |
| cell phone | mobile |
| go shopping | go to the shops |
| convenience store | newsagents |
| stand in line | queue, stand on queue |
| bills (cash) | notes |
| store | shop |
| shopping cart | trolley |
| grocery bags | carrier bags |
| self-checkout | chip-and-PIN machine |
| ATM | cash point |
| bar | pub |
| movies | cinema |
| rain check | put off; postpone |
| bachelor party | stag do |
| bachelorette party | hen party |
| stroller | pram |
| fanny pack | bumbag |
| soccer | football |
| vacation | holiday |
| Transport | |
| transportation | transport |
| public transit | public transport |
| subway | tube |
| cab | taxi |
| taxi driver | cabbie |
| driver's license | driving licence |
| hood | bonnet |
| trunk | boot |
| truck | lorry |
| gas | petrol |
| gas pedal | accelerator |
| blocks | [not used] |
| traffic circle | roundabout |
| highway, freeway | motorway (M-#) |
| State Route (highway) | A roads (A-###) |
| 2-lane road | single carriageway |
| 4-lane road | dual carriageway |
| driveway | drive |
| fire truck | fire engine |
| Medical | |
| clinic | surgery |
| temp | locum |
| EMT | paramedic |
| ER (emergency room) | A&E (accident and emergency); casualty |
| 911 | 999 |
| psych file | psychiatrist's notes |
| psych eval | psychological evaluation |
| injured people | casualties |
| Planned Parenthood | Marie Stopes |
| private insurance | free: NHS; dental/optometry still cost |
| US public insurance: Medicare for the elderly, Medicaid for the poor | |
| People | |
| mom | mummy, mum |
| dude | bloke |
| buddy | mate |
| chick | bird |
| hot (good-looking) | fit |
| transient | rough sleeper |
| bum | tramp |
| retiree | pensioner |
| Senior citizen, elderly | old people |
| lawyer/attorney | solicitor – office/legal papers |
| lawyer/attorney | barrister – appears in court |
| co-signer | co-signatory |
| redhead | ginger |
| Insults | |
| make fun of | take the mick(ey) |
| stupid | dim |
| pretentious | ponce, toff |
| jerk | berk, prat, git, numpty, twat, twit |
| ass | blighter, bugger, tosser, wanker |
| homophobic insults | pouff, bender |
| crazy (as an insult) | nutter |
| Expressions | |
| period | full stop |
| fixed/arranged | sorted |
| get pissed (angry) | go spare, lose your rag |
| mess (this room's a mess) | tip |
| hey | oi |
| not OK | not on |
| like/good at | keen |
| like/has hots for | fancy |
| pleased | chuffed, well done up |
| Sex terms | |
| butt | bum |
| ass | arse |
| balls | bollocks |
| kissing | snogging |
| jack off | wank |
| knock up | get pregnant |
| have sex | shag |
| fanny | butt |
| pussy | fanny |
| Swearing | |
| shit | shite or shit |
| crappy | ruddy |
| shitty | bloody |
| yanking someone's chain | taking the piss |
| Miscellaneous | |
| aluminum | aluminium |
| file | notes |
| post | |
| School | |
| math | maths |
| ballpoint pen | biro |
| eraser | rubber |
| prom | formal dance/ball |
| study | revise |
| Police | |
| carry guns | do not carry guns |
| bullet-proof vests | stab vests |
| police department | police station |
| More info on UK Police | |
| Legal | |
| tax break for married people | no tax break |
| broadcast tv funded via ads | tv requires paying your licence |
| civil union or same-sex marriage | civil union legal |
| permitted in a few states | |
| dog tags | Identification discs (returned upon discharge) |
Notes on British Education:*
Primary (4-11): infant (4-7), junior or middle (7-11)
Secondary (11-16 or 11-18): Last two years are not compulsory; often called sixth form (lower and upper). They can be done at the same secondary school or at college. I believe this when the A-levels are done.
There are also grammar/comprehensive systems but I don't have details.
University
First class, 2.1 and 2.2 degrees are with honours. e.g. BA Hons, BSc Hons etc.
A "pass" is an ordinary degree without honours. Some universities grant Starred Firsts to outstanding students. A "double first" can refer to first-class honours in two separate subjects, e.g., Classics and Mathematics
Cambridge and Oxford have many terms specific to their university/colleges.
Undergraduate (bachelor) degrees normally take 3 years (4 in the US).
Masters degrees normally take 1 year (1 or 2 in US).
A PhD takes 3-4 years of full time study.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_undergraduate_degree_classification
Medical Education
The first medical degree is called MB/ChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery). This is a five year degree that you begin straight from high school. Although it's not a doctorate, you can call yourself "Doctor" once you get it.
MD is a post-graduate degree, equivalent to a PhD in other fields. Watson might have one (the original Study in Scarlet was subtitled “Being a Reprint from the Reminiscences of John H. Watson, MD, Late of the Army Medical Department”) but he wouldn't need one.
He would, however, need to be at least an associate member of either the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) or the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS). The former is more likely for the simple reason that he still calls himself "Dr" - for historical reasons, when you gain full membership in the RCS you drop the "Dr" and go back to being plain "Mr"/"Ms" -- regardless of how many doctorates you also hold. British surgeons wear their "Mr" as a badge of pride, and can actually get quite offended if you call them "Doctor".
*These notes are taken from comments that I lost track of :(
See comments on this post below for much more information, clarification, discussion of regionalisms, etc.
Regarding regionalisms: I made this post because I am in the Sherlock fandom, so the focus is on terms that those characters would use. They are mostly white males in their 30's to 40's, living in London, with a range of class backgrounds from working to upper. People with details about how any Sherlock characters would speak are welcome (including older women like Mrs. Hudson, or any of the range of minor characters)! As is anybody with info about Brit-speak anywhere; just know that if your comment is more about speech in another part of Britain, or what is now in use among young people (for example), I may not add it to the list. Also, it's hard to put in a lot of detail and context in the list, so information along those lines can be found in the comments below :-)
Thank you all commenters for helping grow the list and make it accurate! I plan to continue updating the list with your additions, even if it take me a while to get to it :-)