[Darius Wey]

Originally Posted by G M Fude

More frequently (almost ubiquitously, I'd have said), the term used Downunder is "esky", after the original device brand-named Esky. (note: the web site in the link to the original Esky calls them coolers!)

You know now that you mention it, when I was in San Francisco four years ago, I was after some tape. Here in Australia, we commonly refer to it as "sticky tape". Now walking around the stores, I asked four American shop assistants if they knew where the "sticky tape" was. Naturally, they had no idea what I was talking about. It literally took me ten minutes for me to work out that my desired "sticky tape" was actually called "Scotch tape". Live and learn, I say. It was the most painful "sticky tape" I had ever bought in my life. :|

[Darius Wey]

Originally Posted by G M Fude

More frequently (almost ubiquitously, I'd have said), the term used Downunder is "esky", after the original device brand-named Esky. (note: the web site in the link to the original Esky calls them coolers!)

You know now that you mention it, when I was in San Francisco four years ago, I was after some tape. Here in Australia, we commonly refer to it as "sticky tape". Now walking around the stores, I asked four American shop assistants if they knew where the "sticky tape" was. Naturally, they had no idea what I was talking about. It literally took me ten minutes for me to work out that my desired "sticky tape" was actually called "Scotch tape". Live and learn, I say. It was the most painful "sticky tape" I had ever bought in my life. :|

[G M Fude]

Originally Posted by Darius Wey

It was the most painful "sticky tape" I had ever bought in my life.

Could have been worse, Darius... In my younger days, there was a popular brand of sticky tape in Australia called Durex. That also became a generic name, as 3M's 'Scotch tape' has in the USA, viz. "Pass me the Durex will you please".

You do not say that in England!

[griph]

Originally Posted by carphead

The best solution to all of this is quite obvious!

Why not turn the clock back and all fall back into line and speak the queens english? :lol:

That would be English - only the derivatives need to be sub categorised into i.e. American English etc.
Despite England's small geographical size there is a huge variety in the dialects, pronunciation and slang used, with people from one region often having difficulty in understanding what the next is saying. Try this:

Northern England:
T'barn goo! = Verb - To Go!
At barn 'arknin! (harkening) = Are you listening!
Why Aye! = Yes!
West Counrty:
Tha's gone un gottun where thee casn't back'n a'snt! = You're trapped where you cannot back out!
A gurt one = A big one!

Our language is enhanced by the richness in it's variation!

[yankeejeep]

You can tout globalization all you want (or is that globalisation?). Brits and Yanks are still two peoples divided by a common language.

As a side note: those of us in Boston still have an easier time understanding someone from London than someone from Atlanta.

[mcmuddle]

And slightly off topic from the 'Off Topic', it seems all languages have these subtle (sometimes not-so-subtle) differences that makes them interesting and more colourful.
When I worked in Tampa FL, our custodial staff was a mix of Mexican, Cuban, PuertoRican, Dominican etc...and there were several instances of a mundane word in one dialect being quite offensive in another!
Also, friends that 'speak' ASL (American Sign Language) have pointed out to me that dialects exist there too. Northeasterners use their whole arms in grand, expansive gestures, Southerners sign more slowly/casually, midwesterners are overly polite bordering on passive/aggressive etc.
Ain't it great?

[Ed@Brighthand]

"Flammable and inflammable mean the same thing? What a country!!"

-- Dr. Nick Riviera

.

[Darius Wey]

Originally Posted by mcmuddle

And slightly off topic from the 'Off Topic'...

I don't think you can get any more off-topic than it already is. :mrgreen:

Originally Posted by Ed@Brighthand

"Flammable and inflammable mean the same thing? What a country!!"

While we're being picky on letters, have you ever wondered when "practice" and "practise" should and shouldn't be used?

In British English, practice is actually considered to be a noun, while practise is a verb. In American English, practice is both the noun and the verb.

I've had someone in the past tell me that I had misspelt practise. And insanely enough, I just brought up another English quirk. Misspelt is the British spelling, while misspelled is the American spelling.

:bangin:

[fireflyrsmr]

Thanks for starting this wonderful thread.

I've found that small talk is fairly easy across cultures but when having a business discussion it is a mine field of problems. In global conference calls we stop at random times to just go "around the room" and confirm we are all on the same page. Something that never happens when having a home room meeting.

[Video11]

Originally Posted by Paragon

...My favorite part of Australia was drivethru Bottle Shops. We tried them here in Canada, but nobody figured out what they were for. I think it was because they didn't sell donuts.

Dave

Actually, they are going to try drive thru 'In and Out' stores again in Canada. You'll be able to have your 'wobbly pops' put right into the boot of your car. Here is a link to a London Free Press Article about it. And right here in London, too!

[hoodmeister]

There will always be variations in language. And a lot are on such a local level, that it's impossible to ever doucment the lot of them!