How to be British.. How to greet a friend: Alright, mate/chum/pal/babe/love You ok? How’re you today? How are you doing? How’s life? How’s everything? Nice to see you! Long time, no see/It’s been a while Formal Greetings: Good morning/afternoon/evening Nice to meet you/Pleased to meet you How do you do? Get practising your hand shake, and do not make eye contact.. That’s just plain strange! Slang: Yo! Sup? Hiya!

Use your manners! When asking for directions: “Sorry, but could you please tell me the way to the train station please?” When asking for something: “Sorry, but could you please be so kind as to pass me the salt please… Thank you” At a bar: We always say please and thank you when given drink or food. “Cheers” is commonly used instead of thank you. Queueing: If someone was there before you, let him/her be served first, we take queueing very seriously in Britain! Be punctual! And of course, say “sorry” if you’re late.

British Slang. (Nothing to do) Bugger all – “I’ve had bugger all to do all day.” Knackered – “I am absolutely knackered after working all day.” Gutted – “His girlfriend broke up with him. He’s absolutely gutted.” Gobsmacked – “I was gobsmacked when she told me she was pregnant with triplets.” Cock up – “The papers sent out to the students were all in the wrong language – it’s a real cock up.’ Also, “I cocked up the orders for table number four.” Blinding – “That tackle from the Spanish player was blinding.” Lost the plot – “When my girlfriend saw the mess I’d made, she lost the plot.” Ace – “I think I aced that exam” or “Jenny is ace at lab experiments” Damp Squib – “The party was a bit of a damp squib because only Richard turned up.” The Bee’s Knees – “She thinks Barry’s the bee’s knees” Taking the piss – “The guys on TV last night were taking the piss out of the government again” Brass Monkeys – “You need to wear a coat today, it’s brass monkeys outside” (Nothing to do) (Tired) (Devastated or saddened) (Shocked) (A mistake, a failure) (Excellent, great, superb) (To become angry) (To be brilliant at something) (Boring) (Someone or something that is amazing) (To mock or be sarcastic about something/someone) (Extremely cold weather)

British Expressions. “Knees Up” – To have a party/to get drunk “Chin Wag” – To have a chat “I’m Chuffed” – To be happy/excited about something “I’m not being funny but..” – We use this phrase to soften a complaint or insult that will inevitably come after “I’ve got the hump” – I’m not happy “She was talking nineteen to the dozen” – She was talking really quickly “It’s all gone pear shaped” – Something has gone wrong “She’s as bright as a button” – She’s clever Sod’s Law – (Murphy’s law) Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.

British vs. American Vocabulary. Trainers – Sneakers Sweets - Candy Autumn - Fall Trousers – Pants Crisps – Potato Chips Lift - Elevator Jumper – Sweater Chips – French Fries Petrol - Gas Rubber – Eraser Jam – Jelly Motorway - Highway Holiday – Vacation Jelly – Jell-O Timetable - Schedule Lorry – Truck Bonnet – Hood Tube - Subway Pavement – Sidewalk Boot – Trunk Postcode – Zip Code Tap – Faucet Wardrobe – Closet Public Toilet - Restroom Football – Soccer Bin – Trash Can Post - Mail Biscuit – Cookie Torch – Flashlight Nappy - Diaper Scone – Biscuit Plaster – Band Aid Caravan - Trailer

Spelling Differences. Words ending in –our (British) Words ending in –or (American) Colour Color Humour Humor Flavour Flavor Words ending in –ise (British) Words ending in –ize (American) Recognise Recognize Patronise Patronize Realise Realize

More Spelling Differences. British American Centre Center Litre Liter Theatre Theater Travelling Traveling Marvellous Marvelous Catalogue Catalog Cheque Check Plough Plow Pyjamas Pajamas Kerb Curb Tyre (Wheel) Tire