10 British expressions Americans don't use
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- Опубліковано 2 сер 2018
- Here are 10 British words and phrases that I rarely hear in the US, or if I do, they have rather different meanings.
For example, my British ground floor is an American first floor, and my first floor becomes a second floor. Cheers is another one. It can also mean thank you and goodbye in the UK.
And then there are words and phrases like postman and boot and British slang and informal expressions like shirty, plonker, pants, rubber, knock up and taking the mickey.
In this video you'll see the 10 words phrases in action in a comedy sketch and then get explanations.
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I find it interesting that the United States Postal Service delivers mail while the Royal Mail Service delivers post.
This is Jay writing back to you. Yes, it confuses the heck out of me too :-)
Lol true
Oh my god, I died at “knock you up” xD
We had a lot of fun making that one Asker Pie. Glad you liked it. :-)
😂😂
Same I passed out for a bit lmao 😵 😂.......
7:57 “In American English it’s slang, and it means to make a girl pregnant” - Jay lol 😂
As a Russian studying American English i found this hilarious! Your content is so warm and wholesome
DJ, thank you so much for the kind words. And we're so glad you are enjoying our videos. Thanks for watching.
And humorous. 😃
I never thought that there are so many differences between English and American speakers. Good to know, especially when you are abroad
In my experience, the the grammar is much the same English Learner, though we'll be showing you a small difference with that next week. It's generally vocabulary that's different. But not very different. Jay and I usually understand one another. :-)
You guys are the cutest people on this planet, love your videos.
Thank you Al Bayou! :-)
Love the explanations. I have to say, you made me chuckle at the word 'plonker'. It brought back memories of getting into trouble with my mother as a teenager for referring to someone I didn't like a 'plonker'. To me, as far as British English goes, it's always sounded like one of the more gentle ways of insulting another person!!! Anyway, that was a brilliantly entertaining lesson as always!
Ha! Yes, plonker is a fun word. In my family we used 'plonker' to describe kisses as well. Thanks for this Studio of English.
We have a cute expression for ' condom ' in Canada, they're called ' politician's rain hat '.
Ha! Thanks for sharing this Patrick. :-)
😂
Lol
You have the uncommon ability to make us ENJOY your videos with your humor. I have noticed that in many of your videos: I start watching them with the purpose of improving my English and I always end up laughing and smiling in good humor!! You two are the rarest kind of teachers!
Massmimo, that's very high praise indeed. Thank you so much and we're very glad you are learning and laughing. Keep up the good work.
My husband legit calls woman mail people “femail man!” 😂😂😂🤣
we call then Postwoman in england
😂😂 awesome
Hmm, so my former wife is a femail man?
Since I am still on good terms with her, I wonder if I should tell her... :P
Lol I used to say that as a kid.
English is my first language, but for some reason, I just can't stop watching your videos. They've just got such a great feel-good factor to them. Thank you for making my day just a little bit brighter.
Wow! That's really nice of you Thomas - both for watching and for the kind words.
@@SimpleEnglishVideos No problem, please just keep the content coming.
I found a rubber in a post delivered by my friend. I thought he was taking a mickey and I got shirty.
I put the rubber in the boot of my car and drove to my friend’s home who lived on the ground floor but not the first floor.
After knocking up his door, my friend answered the door. I said to him that he was such a plonker and his act was pants. I finally left without saying cheers to him😊
Thanks for your effort & I enjoy watching your video😊🙏 Let me know if my sentences are incorrect. Cheers😊
Ha! Oh Sid, well done for getting down to work and trying them out in action. Great job! OK, a few small corrections - we take THE mickey (not a mickey) and we knock ON someone's door to say we have arrived but we knock them UP in the morning when we want to wake them. But you get the top prize for trying them out. We loved it and we're so glad you enjoyed the video.
Thanks for your professional comment🙏Have a relaxing weekend😊
@@SimpleEnglishVideos Very informative and entertaining videos - thank you! But, as a Swede, in school I was taught that you knock AT someone's door, not ON it. Correct?
Putting a rubber up in your boot is bloody bonkers! 😂
@Vinterfrid: I have a Swedish svärdotter, I'll ask her what she normally says in English. I am Farfar to two kiddies - another due in October. Being English myself, I'd say knock at someone's door and knock on their door are equally common. But there may be regional variations (I live in Surrey about 40 miles SW of London).
Actually, 'knock' is the basis of several phrasal verbs in English: knock at, knock on, knock off, knock up (taboo in USA), knock over, knock out, knock into (shape).
I've learned so much about British English with these videos. Love them!
So glad you like them Nathan. Thanks so much for writing. :-)
The knock you up part was hillarious 😂
Hi Andy. This is Jay writing back to you. The first time I heard that expression i was blown away :-) Thanks for watching.
I’ve never heard cheers used as a way to say bye, except when it’s also acting as a thank you
Yes Lux Lox. This is Jay responding to your comment. You can understand my confusion then when they said cheers to me and no one was holding up a glass :-)
I've heard alot of these British expressions before! I have watched British tv and videos like this!! Thanks for sharing!! Love from Missouri
Glad you enjoyed the video, Emily. Thanks for letting us know and thanks for watching. This is Jay writing back to you. I've been to Missouri a few times. I remember camping there with my son as we made our away from Philadelphia to Boulder, CO as he entered his freshman year at UC Boulder. It was near Ft. Leonard Wood, where my dad did his basic training at the start of WWII. :-)
Thanks for referring me to this one friends. My girlfriend is Thai and we both learn from your channel. I heard we are separated from England by a "common" language😁. She is often befuddled by colloquialisms and I often have the same problem with British english. Funny cute and educational thanks. Happy Valentine's. Actually I'm getting so old I don't understand a lot of young people here. Bfn.
Hi Dallas. We're so pleased you enjoyed this video. Yes, language changes quickly especially with young folks, so keeping up with it can be a challenge. Take good care and thanks for watching our videos.
Hi Vicki Hi Jay it's a plesure to watch your vídeos i love It they are very useful And o learn a Lot
Thanks a Lot And have a great weekend
You're very welcome Aparecido. See you next week!
Hey I just wanted to say that I really appreciate how dinamic your videos are. I really like them and I learn a lot. Thank you so much for the effort!
Hi karla. We're very pleased our videos are helping you learn. Thanks for letting us know and thanks for watching.
I so love this channel!!! Thank you so much!!!
:-)
This is the best channel I've ever seen!
Thanks for helping me every single day.
God bless both of you! ❤️❤️❤️
Wanessa. Thank you so much for the high praise. We really appreciate it and we are so pleased our videos are helping you, Take good care.
I really love how she keeps her beautiful smile on her face. Would love it if she was my mom.
Hi Armstrong. This is Jay writing back to you. I'm afraid you'll have to get in line behind a long list of people would like Vicki to adopt them :-) Thanks for writing and thanks for watching our videos.
@@SimpleEnglishVideos Haha, quite nice reply!
Pleasure is all mine mate!
Thanks is to you.
Another impressive video, I had a lot of fun watching it.
Love you guys!
That's great to hear. Thanks Haider!
I absolutely love your videos!! You are the best!!
Thank you so much Josue. :-)
When he said he was gonna knock her up, I died 😂
Ha! Glad you liked it Alex. :-)
I was looking for Videos to learn British English and I saw your Video by case... I submited immediately... I have learned a lot and your videos are wonderful!!!! Hugs from Mexico
Javier, we're so pleased to have you with. Thanks for joining the Simple English Videos family.
If you’re going to knock her up, you won’t need the rubber...🤣😂 Hilarious.
:-)
This is a wonderful way to learn English! Thank dear Teachers! ❤️
I'd say you could say either mailman or postman in the US. But the mail itself is usually referred to as mail rather than post. So the postman delivers the mail. I think it's funny though how the US has the US Postal Service, and the UK has the Royal Mail.
Hi Huwfylt, thank you for this and that's so funny about the US Postal Service, and the Royal Mail. Ha! It hadn't occurred to me before. :-)
Hi guys you're really great. I spent a good time learning these expressions that I didn't know at all. Thanks a lot.
Javier, this is Jay writing back to you. We had a lot fun making this video. We're really glad you found it worthwhile.
Hi guys, I am Roberto from Italy.I just discovered your channel (which I have subscribed) casually today and I liked it too much.I started to see one video and then I kept on waching many. This one particularly I really liked.I love your sense of humor.
Listen Jay, I would see you well on TV comedy .Glad to have met you. Saluti dall'Italia.
Grazie Rbwan. This is jay writing back to you. This particular video is one of my favorites. The one expression that really caught my attention the first time I heard it was "knock you up..." . It has such a different meaning in American English. Thanks for joining our community. We're very pleased you are here, and thanks so much for watching our videos.
I loved this video! I learned American English but now I'm working remotely for a company in the UK and it's very nice to learn these different expressions. Also, I am Brazilian and live in Portugal, so there are expressions that can lead us to the same situations as shown in the beginning of the video 😅
You two are amazing! Love all your videos!
Many thanks for the kind words Thais! :-)
I laughed so much with the picture of Jay holding a condom box😂😂 what a great way to show the differences between both British and American English!
Hey Leandro. This is Jay writing back to you. I had so much fun working that video. I'm glad you liked it.
In the U.S., the mail is delivered by the U.S. Postal Service and in the UK, the post is delivered by the Royal Mail...:P
You can see why I was so confused, disoriented1. (Jay here)
I love this video. I learned a lot of new phrases!!! Love you both!!!
This video is so interesting!😍
Hi Claire. We're so pleased you were able learn new phrases. Thanks so much for your kind words.
They are the best teachers ever, love them❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks for the kind words Valentina. Much appreciated. :-)
Great of the greatest teachers. Your each and every video is worth millions of likes.
Thank you very much for the kind words, Javed.
Love both of you . You both make english learning from the British and Americans perspectives more interesting.
Jasmeen, those are such kind words. Thank you very much and thanks for watching our videos.
Hi jay I am Maria from Chile I lived in USA for a year and I love the way you speak and the slangs you all have. Now I teach American English and this videos you make with Vicky help me a lot to make my classes and to compare both lenguages. I love American and i will always do.
So nice of you to write to us Maria, and we're so very pleased our videos are helping in the classes you teach. Keep up the good work!!!
It was terrifically great! This exactly made my day, very nice!
We had a lot of fun shooting this one Ozan. :-)
Great comparisons. Thanks.
Thanks for watching!
Love this channel!
That's great to hear. Thanks Gabriel.
I burst out laughing at the schoolboy holding a rubber
We had fun shooting this one Typical Lib. :-)
Thank you Vicky and Jay, Well done. I laugh so much. brought back memories of my childhood. Thank you again.
Hi Stanford. We're so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for watching.
This is a great video! Keep up the great work!
Thanks so much J Coop
Very useful. Thank you very much🌷
Delighted it's helpful. Thanks for writing.
Simple English is quite the power player. It is on the level of awesome!
Oh my! What a copywriter you are for us. Thanks Mollie!
another great video!! you made me laugh and learn at the same time. Thanks🙂. Greetings from Mexico
Ah, that's our goal Norma - to help you laugh and learn. So glad you liked it.
Thank you all! That's super fun, and really beneficial. I've learnt a couple of new words too ☺ You're always full of surprises with such fascinating videos and content ☺
So glad you like them Ahmed. Thank you!
One question for Jay, please! I had a conversation with one of my students a couple of days ago about both versions of 'often': /ˈɒf.ən/ & /ˈɒf.tən/. Are both used in American English, as they are in the UK? Thanks Jay!
I love how you put in the effort to you reply and 💓 every comment 😁 you guys are amazing😁
It's our plesure NotAfrogGaming. We really appreciate our viewers and learners when they write to us. It encourages us. Take good care.
I find your videos interesting. I learn alot.
Glad to hear that!
Thank you so much for the video. So helpful! :)
So glad you liked it Christopher. Thanks for writing.
I'm brazilian , your channel is amazing!!! I am learning many words and expressions.. thanks and good year end! bye
i'm Brazilian as well, this is such a great channel but quite boring 'cause they speak slowly, but i understand they focusing in begginers.
Thanks so much, Higor! We're so glad you like it. :-)
Hi Marcos. Perhaps you can play the video at a higher speed?
Amazing work guys!!!😘👍🏼
Thanks Ramin. It was a lot of fun to make.
That expressions that Mr Jay made in the video really maked my day Thank you once again🤗
So glad you liked it Gqom. Thanks for writing. :-)
Omg! I like how you've taught these differences. You're very funny.
So glad you liked it Yom. We had fun shooting that video. :-)
Guys, i can say that you are adorable! Your videos are made with love and have many pronunciation problems! Keep the good effort!
Thank you so much for the kind words Mario. Much appreciated. :-)
Vickkkkkkk! It’s so cool the way you explain!!! You’re so happy!!!!!!! I love it!!!!!!!!!! 😘
We're so pleased to have you with us Monica. Thanks so much.
I just loved it! Thank you! Greetings from Brazil.
That's great to hear. Thanks Adriano and greetings to you in Brazil. :-)
You are both wonderful!
Thank you Samira. That's so nice of you to say. Thanks for watching our video.
Tks for such a funny video and great explanations !!
Delighted you like it Flor. Thanks for writing.
"Knock you up" I can't stop laughing!! Hahahahahaha
Hi Rodrigo. This is Jay writing back to you. I still laugh about it whenever I hear the term. Thanks for watching.
Lovely couple! Thanks
Thanks so much Caroline. :-)
This is genius! The scenarios are perfect haha even though I’m fluent in English as my first language, it’s always fun to watch these.
Thanks so much for the kind words Mystified 2. :-)
you made my day, thanks :)
Greetings to you in Poland! So glad you liked it. :-)
thank you for a very interesting lessons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are most welcome, Анна Хаустова. Thank you so much for watching our videos.
You're simply great! I don't have any sense of time, when watching your videos! And I learned so much today, even though I am learning English since 20 years by now! :O
"To take the mickey out of somebody" sounds so cute! :D
Thanks so much Stefanie. We had a lot of fun making this one.
Steffi. To be honest "To take the Mickey" is the polite way of saying it. It is far more common to hear people say "To take the piss"
I’ll never forget when I learned what “Randy” meant in the UK....
Because “Randy” is a common nickname for men named “Randall”
Hi 3of11. This is Jay writing back to you. Vicki still chuckles when she meets her dentist in Philadelphia, whose first name is "Randy."
So fun!! Loved the video!!
That's great to hear. Thanks Sebas.
we love you and enjoy your videos, a big huge from Spain
Mr critico2, that's so nice of you to say. Thank you so much and thank you for watching our videos.
I adore your video!
Thank you so much!
Is “taking the mickey” like a cleaner version of saying “taking the piss?” I’ve heard British people say the second one a lot but I’d never heard taking the mickey until this video.
Ah yeah! You've got it exactly. Taking the piss is the cruder version. :-)
Thank you for your great wok
Im learning a lot
That's great to hear. Thanks for writing Julio.
I love this channel.
We're very glad you're watching our videos. Thanks Yeezus.
I like this videos because you talk together
This method very useful
That's great to hear 31gm. Where we can we try to show the language in context, so you can see when it's appropriate to use it and hopefully it'll be more memorable too.
*"Do you want me to come by your room and knock you up" DUN DUN*
This is Jay writing back to you Kenneth. Imagine my surprise :-)
Yes this video is amazing it helped me a lot
Thank you 😊❤️🙏🏻
That's great to hear Saad Ali. Thanks for writing. :-)
This video had me in stitches!
Hi Bobobnz. This is Jay writing back to you. Yes, we had a lot of fun making it :-) We're glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching.
You guys are the best!
Jorge, that is so kind of you to say. Thank you for that and thanks for watching.
I don't get why "postman" would be confusing. He's old enough to remember the song "Please, Mr. Postman" by the Marvelettes that was hit in 1975. While mailman is more common, postman is not so obscure in the US that most people wouldn't have a clue what it meant.
chiprbob, This is Jay writing back to you. Yes I do remember the Marvellettes song, but you’ll have to forgive us for taking a bit of poetic license to teach the point that Americans wait for the mailman (the mail carrier these days) and not the postman. Thanks for writing to us and thanks for watching our video.
I clicked this by accident, it was very funny and I'm gonna watch all your videos from now on.
Bassam, we are so happy to have you watching our videos. Welcome and thanks for the kind words.
I'm Japanese and learning English now!
This English lesson helps me a lot!
Thank you very much😍
That's great to hear WK. Thanks for writing and good luck with your studies.
Haha I love these two :) keep up the good work.
Thanks Dino. We will :-)
God! You're hilarious!!! Thanks for such amazing videos... I'm a new subscriber but I love you both already!
Thank you so much Claudia and welcome to our channel. Delighted to have you with us.
Dear Vicķi Dear Jay , thank you for your great job.This is the way to spend a good time and enjoy everything you alwaya do for your students.Cheers.Greetings from Moscow, Russia.🇷🇺
Thanks so much Natalya and greetings to you in Moscow. Hope you and yours are keeping safe. :-)
@@SimpleEnglishVideos God bless you.Cheers.
Sincerely Yours, Natalya.
Great ! Thank you !
Glad you liked it Sena.
This video is so fun and educational at the same time! Loves it! Cheers! (in a british way XD)
Love it!
Hi Carina. We're so glad you enjoyed this video. Thanks for letting us know and thanks for watching.
Thanks for the video.
You're very welcome HappyRussian.
Wonderful video.
Glad you liked it Sage. Thanks for writing. :-)
you guys should have a sitcom!
Ha! Thanks so much Greg. :-)
Hahahah! Yeah, and the word in the banter, like "shirty" I'd never heard, though I've heard all the picture examples.
Hi Ben. This is Jay writing back to you. Even though Vicki and I have been together for more than 20 years, I never heard "Shirty" or "Pants" before we made this video. Thanks for writing to us and thanks for watching our videos.
Haha this is officially one of my favorite episodes of your channel ! It’s funny to see naming differently for an identical item. Thong means underwear in Britain as well? Because I found it is flip flops in Australia x)
Thanks Eunhye. I had fun writing this one. Yes, thongs are underwear in British English and not things we'd wear on our feet. :-)
Thank you you both, I have Learned a Lot with you both my English practicing,I am from Brazil,Nova Iguaçu,Rio de Janeiro.
That's so heartening and encouraging to hear Marco. Thank you so much and greetings you in Rio. (We LOVE Rio.)
Ah, I've just realised you meant Rio the state, not Rio the city. We hope to get to know Brazil better in the future. :-)
@@SimpleEnglishVideos It will be a great pleasure to welcome you here in Brazil.
Thank you for all
You're very welcome Kone.
It s really help me. Thank you
Norman, we're very pleased our videos are helpful. Thanks so much for watching.
I laughed so hard. I can relate to some. Thank you. 😂
Hi Perry. This is Jay writing back to you. Yes, I still laugh every time I watch this video. And Vicki still asks me if the post has arrived :-) Thanks for writing to us and thanks for watching.
Yes, I enjoyed!! Amazing!! You guys are funny. I remember the woman from Rachel's English.
That's great Silvio. Thank you. Yes, Rachel lives in Philly, like us and we're friends.
I confused my equally British son by referring to an 'indiarubber'...now just known as a 'rubber' (eraser!). Cheers! is much the same as Polish Cześć! only that can mean Hi! and Bye! Knocking up is really tapping on the windows upstairs to call a worker for their shift.
Hi John What an interesting set of similarities. We had a lot of fun making this video comparing words like rubber. Take good care and thanks for watching. - Jay
That was great, thank you! ;-)))
Robert, you are most welcome. Thanks for writing to us and thanks for watching.