Glossary of American Terms not Widely used in the United Kingdom
Derived from the Old French word disme (the original spelling), meaning a tenth part or tithe, and ultimately from the Latin decima. Also referred to as an “E-brake”. Deep fried dough covered with cinnamon-sugar. Social Security and Medicare (similar to UK National Insurance). Often used to address a man. A man; a dandy; a city-dweller visiting a ranch. Commonly found at fairs and carnivals. Can also mean a ten dollar quantity of an illegal drug (or dime bag). In the UK ‘fanny’ is a vulgar slang term for the vulva and thus this word could cause offence. Sometimes now used with conscious, self-mocking irony by generally more formal British speakers.
This is a list of American words not widely used in the United Kingdom. In Canada and Australia, some of the American terms listed are widespread; however, in some cases, another usage is preferred. Words with specific American meanings that have different meanings in British English and/or additional meanings common to both dialects (e.g., pants, crib) are to be found at List of words having different meanings in British and American English.
You all, used as second-person dual or plural pronoun. Post, Emily (1922). Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics and at Home. Mills, Mark. “Definition of baseboard”. Likewise youse in Philadelphia. Rhodes, Karen (1 February 1997). Booking Hawaii Five-O: An Episode Guide and Critical History of the 1968-1980 Television Detective Series. Also all y’all, comparable in meaning and register to north-English, Northern Irish and Scottish “youse, yous”. United States Postal Service composed of 5 digits as in 90210, sometimes a suffix of 4 digits after a hyphen is used. Funk & Wagnalls Company. Shell, Ray. “Definition of baby carriage”.
The term is widely used to describe all such confections without regard to brand. Person who steals packages from unsuspecting customers’ porches or front door areas. Stores may give a coupon to purchase the item later at the advertised price. Originated in the US as a coupon given to a baseball ticket-holder when a game was cancelled because of rain; it would entitle the holder to attend a replacement game for no charge.
Derived from the law authorizing such taxation, the Federal Insurance – in the know – Contributions Act. A maize (sweetcorn) porridge common in the southern U.S. In American English there is a distinction in usage: “gotten” is used to refer to the process of acquisition, obtainment or to having entered a state over a matter of time, whereas “got” signifies possession. UK. Although flack “press agent” was first recorded just one year after flak “anti-aircraft fire” (from German Fliegerabwehrkanone “aircraft defence cannon”), the two are likely unrelated. A safety device attached to consumer mains power supplies to prevent accidental electrocution and/or damage to connected equipment.
