Now that I have figured out what (most) of these strange English words mean, I thought I'd share some as a point of interest.
A mate is a friend. I thought only Australians said this, but apparently the English do as well.
If you are skint you have no money (which describes my present state in one simple word).
Crisps are chips and chips are french fries. Chips come in flavors like Prawn Cocktail (ew?).
A prawn is like a shrimp.
A bloke is a man/boy/guy. I think most Canadians know this one, but are unaware of how frequently it is used.
The phrase you alright? is the equivalent to What's Up? For the first month I was here, I thought people thought I looked unwell.
If someone says you are fit they think you are good looking. I am sure people thought I had terrible self esteem when I assured them that I was not fit (as in I do not exercise regularly).
A bird is a girl. It is also a bird.
Pants are underwear and consequently a dirty word to 8 year olds. However, I have a hard time referring to pants as trousers, their proper English name.
If someone is talking about your fanny they are not talking about your bum..... they are talking about your front bum.
A surgeon is a doctor, who may or may not perform actual surgeries and will refer you to the chemist for medicine.
Your local is your local pub or club.... the one near you you frequent most often.
Cheers encompases thank yous and see yous.
A full-stop is a period. A period is a menstrual cycle. Likewise a rubber is an eraser not a condom. These were two words that I quickly learned in the educational system.
Crosswalks, depending on how they are set up, have different names such as a Pelican Crossing and a Zebra Crossing. I am not sure why.
If you ring someone on their mobile you are calling them on their cell phone.
Trainers are sneakers and some places will not let you in if you are wearing them! hehe
People, other than my father, actually use the word shag.
The word proper is tossed in front of everything - i.e. proper shop. It means something along the lines of 'real'.
Cheeky is being funny.... in a good or bad way.
And now.... as I am absolutely knackered, I will have to continue this list another evening.
P.S. If you haven't already figured it out, knackered means tired.
