The Queen's English

Here are more things, words, phrases, customs I've learned (in no particular order--not even alphabetical).  This will be an evolving list, so I will add to it from time to time.  (I'm sure my Brit friends will correct me on anything I didn't get quite right!)  Bear in mind that words and phrases are sometimes regional and differ from region to region.

do:  party
hen do:  wedding shower
You alright?:  For the longest time I thought people were concerned about me for some reason when they were asking, "You alright?"  Turns out it's just a greeting like "How are you?"
biscuits:  cookies
chips:  french fries
chippy:  fish and chips place
crisps:  chips (as in potato chips, etc.)
fringes:  bangs
Balti:  type of Indian curry invented in Birmingham--certain restaurants are called Baltis.
bap:  bread roll
brilliant:  great
"need to spend a penny":  need to go potty (the saying came from the fact that many public toilets charge a fee)
potty:  batty; bonkers; bananas; crazy . . . as in YOU KIDS ARE DRIVING ME POTTY!
toilet:  bathroom or restroom
rubber:  eraser (yep, you know this one already)
pants:  underwear  (say trousers here)
"kiss, kiss!":  when people greet one another--even for the first time--they often kiss you on the cheek
boot:  trunk of the car
bonnet:  hood of the car
garden:  yard
take-away:  to go (take-out food)
uni:  university (students go to "uni")
football:  soccer
jumper:  sweater
lorry:  truck

zebra crossing:  white striped pedestrian crossing   (The first time I saw a "zebra crossing" sign, I was on a walk and got excited that there was a zebra farm or something in the area!)
humps:  speed bumps
caravan:  trailer that is either stationary or mobile used for going on holiday
mobile:  cell phone
motorway:  freeway
maths:  math
car park:  parking lot
round-about:  round island in middle of an intersection around which traffic flows--always yeild to the right
sweet:  candy  (Do you want a sweet?)
cake:  cupcake
jacket potato:  baked potato
play time:  recess
rock:  big stick of candy (like a big candy cane)


school lunch (dinner) menu . . .
Wednesday is "roast day"--note the Yorkshire pudding

 dinner:  lunch  (the "dinner ladies" serve dinner at school)
tea:  evening meal  (when you're invited to tea, you're being invited to dinner)
pudding:  generic term for dessert  (not necessarily actual pudding)
pudding:  can be a savory pudding that is not a dessert
Yorkshire pudding:  classic English savory pudding made from flour, milk, egg and beef drippings served with roast beef
dripping sandwich:  Okay, if you happen to be making roast beef on a Sunday, you take a piece of bread and pour the greasy beef fat (drippings) all over it.  That oughta hold you until dinner!
sorted:  problem solved
brolly:  umbrella
wellies:  Wellington boots (which I'm gonna need soon)
squash:  fruit drink
poorly:  sick or hurt (used as an adjective--a poorly leg)
trainers:  tennis shoes
shattered:  me at the end of a day of teaching--tired!
cracking:  great, as in "a cracking good time" 
cheers:  thanks or goodbye--sometimes "Cheers, mate!"
supply teacher:  substitute teacher
head teacher:  principal
deputy head:  vice principal
posh:  fancy or rich looking/sounding
ta ra:  good bye
ta:  thanks (I think)
quid:  slang for pounds (like bucks is for dollars)
cooker:  kitchen range (stove/oven)
gobsmacked:  amazed; flabbergasted
carvery:  restaurant or pub that offers roast dinners, expecially on Sundays
swimming costume:  swimsuit
gritter:  truck that spreads grit on the roads when it snows
"right":  alright (as in "Right, I want everybody to sit down.")
minced beef:  ground beef; hamburger
monkey nuts:  peanuts in shells
dodgy:  uncertain; not to be trusted
plaster:  bandaid
gutted:  disappointed; very unhappy by a situation
candy floss:  cotton candy
proper:  real (as in "a proper Sunday roast" or "he's a proper gentleman)
creche:  a childcare service or nursery (our school offers a creche when there is a parent event)
ice lolly:  popsicle