Credits: Social Media
American woman cringes over phrases she ditched after moving to the UK
After moving from the United States to the UK over ten years ago, a woman shared the American phrases that still make her cringe.
Americans might have come from the United Kingdom originally, but after just 400 years, the cultural differences are clear. The two countries order food differently, have specific geographical slang, and even different kitchen appliances.��
The American woman refuses to use the word knickers�
Lisa Dollan (@yorkshirepeach) is an American woman who moved to Leeds, England after she fell in love with a man from Yorkshire. She now makes videos on TikTok where she has over 1.2 million followers.
Last week, Lisa took to the video-sharing platform with a video about the American phrases that still make her go ick after all those years.
Can we just stop in here, I need to get some panties, she said, acting as though she was using the word panties in an everyday conversation. Its just so bad isnt it.
Despite hating the American word for underwear, Lisa refuses to use the UKs knickers as she feels it sounds strange in her accent. To prove her point, she said knickers with an English accent.
Lisas next ick-worthy phrase was Hey girl , which many Brits will tell you is often employed for caricatures of American people.�
Listen, its so cringy I just cant, she explained. I cant. In America, Im sure its still okay, in the UK would you ever go up to your friends and say Hey girl!
Again, Lisa attempted to say Hey girl in an English accent and it did not sound good.�
The Ultimate British slang test
While American phrases and words might sound silly in the UK, the same could definitely be said for the strange slang the Brits have dreamt up over the years.
In March 2024, The Focus put British slang to the test as we gathered a group of Americans for an impromptu quiz.�
The hardest British slang test on the internet:
- Tosh – refers to something that is silly or nonsensical
- Chuffed – feeling delighted or satisfied
- Gormless – used to describe someone lacking intelligence
- Ankle-biters – used to describe a young child
- Know your onions – a person who is knowledgeable about a particular topic
- Chin wag – having a conversation with someone, usually with a close friend
- Knackered – extremely tired or exhausted
- Collywobbles – used to describe feeling anxious or nervous
- Minted – used to describe someone who is very wealthy
- Donkeys Years – its been a long time
- Yonks – its been a long time
- Doddle – an activity that is quick and easy
- Dogs dinner – an action that has been poorly performed with messy results
- Bairn – a child
- Codswallop – used to describe something silly or nonsensical
- Dropped a clanger – made an embarrassing mistake
- Naff – something that is tacky, lacking in taste or generally not very good
- Wally – a silly or inept person
- Its Brass Monkeys Out – the weather is cold
- Hole in the Wall – a name given to an ATM
