20 American Words That Will Get You In Trouble Abroad
Americans, you need to learn these if you plan to travel anytime soon.
Language and words can be really confusing...
Even when comparing American English to British English. Heck, even American English itself can be quite confusing sometimes, especially if you're using it in another country with a totally different culture. Oftentimes you need to take care as you might offend someone, or worse, look like a total idiot and make a laughingstock out of yourself.
So, take our advice, learn these distinctions:
1. "Air" here in the US is — you know —air. As in atmosphere or the stuff you breathe.
But in Indonesia, air means water. So would Aang from Avatar be a waterbender in Indonesia? We really don't know...
2. "Gift" in the US means presents
But in German, it means poison. And no, not the glam metal band. So yeah, if you really hate someone, you can give that person a *ahem* gift.
3. In the U.S. thick means fat, stout, stocked — the opposite of thin...
But in Britain it means dumb as sh!t. So yeah, a total thick will need a thick book to become smarter.
4. Muffs are cozy and warm accessories that you put on your ears.
In Britain, it's a word reserved for when you're feeling a little naughty as it means "female's pubic hair or pube area."
5. Randy is a common name for a boy or man.
In Britain, it means, yeah, horny. Hey, you remember that catchy pop tune from the late 90s? We can replace that with "randy."
"I'm Randy, Randy, Randy, Randy ... So Randy, I'm Randy, Randy, Randy"
6. "Most" in the English language is used for superlatives.
In Polish, it means bridge.
7. Boot is a type of footwear often worn by cowboys.
In Britain, you can't use boots use to "walk all over someone" as it means the storage in the back of a car or what we call the "trunk."
8. Bonnet is a piece of headwear in the U.S.
But in Britain, if you wear one you would totally look ridiculous as it would be a little too big for you. You see, in Britain, a bonnet is the hood of a car.
9. Shorts are a favorite item of clothing among women.
Don't be surprised if you're in a pub in Britain and you hear, "Let's drink a stack of shorts." You see, "shorts" there are "shots" to us.
10. "Kiss" is the touching of the lips of two people, used as a sign of affection.
But in Sweden, it means — tadah —"Pee!"
11. To "die" is to, you know, stop breathing.
But in Italy, it translates to the phrase, "Come on!"
So, die, hurry up! We need you here!
12. A "bra" is... You know what a bra is, come on.
In Sweden, "bra" means good. And yes, I guess it is good.
13. To us, "barf" is vomit.
But in Hindu, Farsi and Urdu it means snow. And no, you can't say "Jon Barf" as that would totally sound wrong and nasty.
14. "No" in the English language is the opposite of yes.
But in Czech, Polish and other Slavic languages, NO can actually mean YES!
15. "Brat" is defined as a badly behaved youth
But in Polish, it means brother. So yeah, love your brat — especially if you're in Poland.
16. "Hammer" to us is a tool which can be used to build or destroy things.
In German, man, it's awesome! No, really... "Awesome" is what it translates to, in German.
17. "Pet" to us means a domestic or tamed animal we have kept for companionship and treated with care and affection.
But in french it means fart. So the next time you're in Paris, avoid using that or you will look like a pervert with a very rare fetish.
18. Also, "fart" means "speed" in Norwegian
So yeah, if you go past the required fart limit there, you're gonna get a farting ticket.
19. Again, "Fart" —
In Polish, it can mean "good luck." So, break a leg and fart!
20. Based on the last three, we're guessing you know what "trump" means.
You're absolutely correct. Trump in Britain means fart.