How to Learn Key Phrases in British English

Although it may seem like we speak the same language, Americans and Brits use many different words and expressions. Learning a bit of British English is the easiest way to consider yourself bilingual!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Local Guidebooks To Great Britain
• Airline Tickets To Great Britain

1. Say "cheerio" for hello and good-bye. It is considered friendly and more informal.
2. Say "cheers" for thank you and good-bye, or say "ta," which is a slang abbreviation.
3. Be careful on the road. The "Give Way" sign means yield, which doesn't exist as a sign in Great Britain.
4. Use "loo" for bathroom, "queue" for line, "bin" for garbage or trash can, "boot" for trunk (of a car), and "baggage" instead of luggage. Use "chemist" instead of pharmacy, and "tube" or "underground" for the subway. This will avoid any confusion.
5. Use "crisps" for potato chips, and "chips" for fries.
6. Refrain from use of the word "common" to mean popular; in Great Britain, it often means low-class.
7. Avoid "bloody" or "shag" - these are off-color words in England. Use "blooming" and "blinking" instead - words that are comparable to "darn."

Tips & Warnings

• Be modest and reserved. Don't initially launch into personal conversations with Brits, or casually make physical contact, such as hugging.
• Be quiet. The British often consider Americans loud, especially in public.
• Be patient. Service in restaurants, for example, can be slower in Great Britain.