American English: Difference between revisions

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* '''College''' and '''university''' are used interchangeably in most contexts. If someone says "I'm going to college," they mean university. "College" rolls off the tongue easier. A typical university has several "colleges" on it (such as College of Arts & Sciences, College of Engineering, etc), which is the reason for the interchangeability. University is generally reserved for four-year degree schools. Graduate school comes after for anyone that wants to pursue a 2-year graduate degree. State Schools are largely taxpayer funded and can vary between 4-year school or community college, which is a publicly funded school usually reserved for 2-year associate degrees.
* '''College''' and '''university''' are used interchangeably in most contexts. If someone says "I'm going to college," they mean university. "College" rolls off the tongue easier. A typical university has several "colleges" on it (such as College of Arts & Sciences, College of Engineering, etc), which is the reason for the interchangeability. University is generally reserved for four-year degree schools. Graduate school comes after for anyone that wants to pursue a 2-year graduate degree. State Schools are largely taxpayer funded and can vary between 4-year school or community college, which is a publicly funded school usually reserved for 2-year associate degrees.
* '''Elementary school''' or "grade school" is what those in the UK call a "Primary School", "grammar schools" are esentially defunct in the UK. Schools with grades 6-8 are called junior high schools or middle schools.
* '''Elementary school''' or "grade school" is what those in the UK call a "Primary School", "grammar schools" are esentially defunct in the UK. Schools with grades 6-8 are called junior high schools or middle schools.
* '''[[Useful Notes/American Football|American Football]]''' is simply called football. Association football is only called soccer, though Americans are aware that other countries simply call it "football." If you personally call it "gridiron" they will know what you mean, too.
* '''[[American Football]]''' is simply called football. Association football is only called soccer, though Americans are aware that other countries simply call it "football." If you personally call it "gridiron" they will know what you mean, too.
* A sandwich made using a whole small loaf of bread cut in half lengthwise could be called one of many things, depending as much on whom you buy it from as where you are. '''Submarine sandwich''', or "sub" for short, is the most universal, but '''hoagie''', '''hero sandwich''' (not to be confused with gyros, which are sometimes pronounced phonetically), and other variations exist.
* A sandwich made using a whole small loaf of bread cut in half lengthwise could be called one of many things, depending as much on whom you buy it from as where you are. '''Submarine sandwich''', or "sub" for short, is the most universal, but '''hoagie''', '''hero sandwich''' (not to be confused with gyros, which are sometimes pronounced phonetically), and other variations exist.
* Carbonated soft drinks are called by different names depending on the region. '''Pop''' and '''soda''' are the most common, though "soda" is typically used in conjunction with the flavor when it's part of the name, such as "grape soda" and "creme soda." In the South, [[Brand Name Takeover|"coke"]] is used as a catch-all term for all types and brands. Restaurants will typically call them '''soft drinks'''.
* Carbonated soft drinks are called by different names depending on the region. '''Pop''' and '''soda''' are the most common, though "soda" is typically used in conjunction with the flavor when it's part of the name, such as "grape soda" and "creme soda." In the South, [[Brand Name Takeover|"coke"]] is used as a catch-all term for all types and brands. Restaurants will typically call them '''soft drinks'''.
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* A '''bender''', if not used to indicate "[[Futurama|something that]] [[Avatar: The Last Airbender|bends things]]," generally refers to a wild night, or series of nights, spent partying with copious amounts of alcohol or other intoxicating substances. As in: "I had several days off, so I went on a complete three-day bender." This does not imply homosexual (or any sex) acts were committed during the time period, but it might be true anyway.
* A '''bender''', if not used to indicate "[[Futurama|something that]] [[Avatar: The Last Airbender|bends things]]," generally refers to a wild night, or series of nights, spent partying with copious amounts of alcohol or other intoxicating substances. As in: "I had several days off, so I went on a complete three-day bender." This does not imply homosexual (or any sex) acts were committed during the time period, but it might be true anyway.
* When the British want to refer to someone as having a less than noble character, they'll use "bent," like a "bent policeman." In America, they have a similar "not straight" term, but '''crooked''' is used, like a "crooked cop." It's pronounced in two syllables as well; "crook-ed" instead of one syllable like "looked."
* When the British want to refer to someone as having a less than noble character, they'll use "bent," like a "bent policeman." In America, they have a similar "not straight" term, but '''crooked''' is used, like a "crooked cop." It's pronounced in two syllables as well; "crook-ed" instead of one syllable like "looked."
* [[Useful Notes/Baseball|Baseball]] terms are sometimes used in everyday conversation as metaphors. "Strike out" means to fail, as in: "I went to a bar hoping to meet a girl, but I totally struck out." "Home run," or "out of the park," means to succeed greatly. Strange ideas "come out of left field." Inappropriate comments are "off base." "Foul tip" meaning something that ends with neither a complete failure nor a satisfactory outcome. "Seventh-inning stretch," refers to a brief break from something to stretch your legs. "Getting to # base" refers to sexual activity, with each base coming closer to intercourse. <ref>First base is kissing, second base is feeling up your partner, third base is touching each other's genitals, and a home run is sex.</ref>
* [[Baseball]] terms are sometimes used in everyday conversation as metaphors. "Strike out" means to fail, as in: "I went to a bar hoping to meet a girl, but I totally struck out." "Home run," or "out of the park," means to succeed greatly. Strange ideas "come out of left field." Inappropriate comments are "off base." "Foul tip" meaning something that ends with neither a complete failure nor a satisfactory outcome. "Seventh-inning stretch," refers to a brief break from something to stretch your legs. "Getting to # base" refers to sexual activity, with each base coming closer to intercourse. <ref>First base is kissing, second base is feeling up your partner, third base is touching each other's genitals, and a home run is sex.</ref>
* [[Useful Notes/American Football|American Football]] metaphors are generally pretty simple. "Touchdown!" -- sometimes accompanied by raising both arms in the air like a football referee -- is common as a synonym for success or reaching a goal. "Third and long" refers to a last chance long-shot, and "going for two" refers to taking a risky move with a greater reward. By the same token, a "Hail Mary" is a desperate, usually final, attempt at something. "Punting" generally means a mediocre effort with limited results, a minor defeat, or passing responsibility on to someone else.
* [[American Football]] metaphors are generally pretty simple. "Touchdown!" -- sometimes accompanied by raising both arms in the air like a football referee -- is common as a synonym for success or reaching a goal. "Third and long" refers to a last chance long-shot, and "going for two" refers to taking a risky move with a greater reward. By the same token, a "Hail Mary" is a desperate, usually final, attempt at something. "Punting" generally means a mediocre effort with limited results, a minor defeat, or passing responsibility on to someone else.
* '''Pissed''' in America means "angry," not "drunk", which is why "piss drunk" can sound redundant. Sometimes, people will say "pissed off," which means the same thing ("angry"). "Pissing the night away," however, will generally be understood as a long drinking session. "Go on a pisser" means the same thing. A "pisser" can also refer to a fun or amusing person or event. Or a urinal.
* '''Pissed''' in America means "angry," not "drunk", which is why "piss drunk" can sound redundant. Sometimes, people will say "pissed off," which means the same thing ("angry"). "Pissing the night away," however, will generally be understood as a long drinking session. "Go on a pisser" means the same thing. A "pisser" can also refer to a fun or amusing person or event. Or a urinal.
** On that note, pissing or taking a piss means to urinate, as does taking a leak. Thus, you can [[Incredibly Lame Pun|get pissed off at getting pissed on]] [[Rule of Three|by a piss drunk.]]
** On that note, pissing or taking a piss means to urinate, as does taking a leak. Thus, you can [[Incredibly Lame Pun|get pissed off at getting pissed on]] [[Rule of Three|by a piss drunk.]]
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