American-British Q&A

[Jon Shannow]

I asked this a few pages back but no-one answered.
According to one of mates who went on a gap year to the USA claimed that there was a big taboo on the word '****' over there. Is this true?

 

[Agayek]

I asked this a few pages back but no-one answered.
According to one of mates who went on a gap year to the USA claimed that there was a big taboo on the word '****' over there. Is this true?

Kinda sorta. **** is generally considered the "worst", or "most impolite", of the various swear words one can use. It's not really much of a taboo, but you will get much more of a reaction from **** than you would just about anything else (excepting the racial shit).

 

[SadakoMoose]

how big is baseball in the UK?

Virtually non-existent. I don't know anyone who knows the rules or has ever played or watched a game in their life. Same with American Football.

The National Football League has been staging games in England for the past five seasons. They've prove immensely popular. One game at Wembley Stadium sold out 45,000 tickets, ranging in price from £45 through to £100, in 90 minutes. They've been forced to hold lotteries for the tickets because demand is so high. In one such recent lottery, 500,000 people signed up for a chance to buy tickets.

Much for the same reason WWE shows are popular in the UK: because it's the frickin' NFL, man! It doesn't mean that there's any American Football played in Europe outside of the aforementioned NFL shows. (Indeed, professional wrestling seems to be pretty non-existant in the UK outside of aforementioned shows such as the occasional WWE tour).

Sadly, it wasn't always that way
It's a sad day when an 18 year old AMERICAN (me) has seen more World of Sport/ All Star Wrestling than a 30 year old Briton (a friend on twitter).
Seriously, wrestlers nowadays still study from those old tapes, because of the superior technical wrestling and hold for hold work.
Just for you:
Here's Steven Wright (Britain) vs. Tiger Mask I (Japan)
part 1 (go to youtube to see the 2nd half.)

 

[Wadders]

Honestly if gas wasn't eight or nine bucks a gallon and guns were legal I would have moved to the UK ages ago.

Just a quick thing, but this is a particular pet hate of mine, it annoys me when people think guns are illegal.

Guns are legal here.

We're just not allowed semi-automatic rifles over .22 caliber, or handguns that are not black-powder (like flintlocks, vintage revolvers etc.)

And our gun control is tighter. You must own a Shotgun Certificate (which are pretty easy to get) to buy shotguns, and for anything else and shotguns with a capacity over 2 or 2+1 you must have a Firearms Certificate, which is a little trickier to get hold of, but certainly not impossible.

I know you probably don't care, but for some reason I feel compelled to inform people of this

 

[JDKJ]

Honestly if gas wasn't eight or nine bucks a gallon and guns were legal I would have moved to the UK ages ago.

Just a quick thing, but this is a particular pet hate of mine, it annoys me when people think guns are illegal.

Guns are legal here.

We're just not allowed semi-automatic rifles over .22 caliber, or handguns that are not black-powder (like flintlocks, vintage revolvers etc.)

And our gun control is tighter. You must own a Shotgun Certificate (which are pretty easy to get) to buy shotguns, and for anything else and shotguns with a capacity over 2 or 2+1 you must have a Firearms Certificate, which is a little trickier to get hold of, but certainly not impossible.

I know you probably don't care, but for some reason I feel compelled to inform people of this

And I just pumped some premium octane gas at US$4.25 a gallon. Convert that to pounds and your gas ain't that much more expensive than ours.

 

[YesIPlayTheBagpipes]

dear americans, which do think is more scary, an (american) football game or a rugby game?
(if unsure what rugby is look up all-blacks on youtube)

 

[Wadders]

Honestly if gas wasn't eight or nine bucks a gallon and guns were legal I would have moved to the UK ages ago.

Just a quick thing, but this is a particular pet hate of mine, it annoys me when people think guns are illegal.

Guns are legal here.

We're just not allowed semi-automatic rifles over .22 caliber, or handguns that are not black-powder (like flintlocks, vintage revolvers etc.)

And our gun control is tighter. You must own a Shotgun Certificate (which are pretty easy to get) to buy shotguns, and for anything else and shotguns with a capacity over 2 or 2+1 you must have a Firearms Certificate, which is a little trickier to get hold of, but certainly not impossible.

I know you probably don't care, but for some reason I feel compelled to inform people of this

And I just pumped some premium octane gas at US$4.25 a gallon. Convert that to pounds and your gas ain't that much more expensive than ours.

Petrol (yes I will insist on calling it petrol ) around my area is £1.35-ish per litre. Not sure how that works out, but its still not cheap. But then I have a pretty small car, so it's swings and roundabouts really.

On Topic:

I've been vaguely toying with the idea of moving to the US for a bit and finding work. Not sure why, but seems like it would be an interesting experience.

Would there be any place in particular you guys would recommended looking at, and what general advice would you give to a clueless Englishman who is unknowing of your outlandish Yank customs

 

[JDKJ]

Honestly if gas wasn't eight or nine bucks a gallon and guns were legal I would have moved to the UK ages ago.

Just a quick thing, but this is a particular pet hate of mine, it annoys me when people think guns are illegal.

Guns are legal here.

We're just not allowed semi-automatic rifles over .22 caliber, or handguns that are not black-powder (like flintlocks, vintage revolvers etc.)

And our gun control is tighter. You must own a Shotgun Certificate (which are pretty easy to get) to buy shotguns, and for anything else and shotguns with a capacity over 2 or 2+1 you must have a Firearms Certificate, which is a little trickier to get hold of, but certainly not impossible.

I know you probably don't care, but for some reason I feel compelled to inform people of this

And I just pumped some premium octane gas at US$4.25 a gallon. Convert that to pounds and your gas ain't that much more expensive than ours.

Petrol (yes I will insist on calling it petrol ) around my area is £1.35-ish per litre. Not sure how that works out, but its still not cheap. But then I have a pretty small car, so it's swings and roundabouts really.

On Topic:

I've been vaguely toying with the idea of moving to the US for a bit and finding work. Not sure why, but seems like it would be an interesting experience.

Would there be any place in particular you guys would recommended looking at, and what general advice would you give to a clueless Englishman who is unknowing of your outlandish Yank customs

Are you aware that in many places in the States, unemployment's running close to 20%? Unless you're a Registered Nurse (about the only position for which there's guaranteed employment right now), I'd advise you think about that move long and hard.

EDIT: Besides, because of America's undocumented alien problem, they've made it very difficult for employers to hire anyone without legitimate work papers. If you come here on a visitor's visa, you're not allowed to work and you'll have difficulty finding an employer willing to hire you with no work papers -- unless you're willing to pick tomatoes for US$1.25 an hour.

 

[JDKJ]

dear americans, which do think is more scary, an (american) football game or a rugby game?
(if unsure what rugby is look up all-blacks on youtube)

It's probably an even trade. Rugby players don't wear any protective gear but not many rugby players are 6' 6" and weigh 325 lbs.

 

[Wadders]

Honestly if gas wasn't eight or nine bucks a gallon and guns were legal I would have moved to the UK ages ago.

Just a quick thing, but this is a particular pet hate of mine, it annoys me when people think guns are illegal.

Guns are legal here.

We're just not allowed semi-automatic rifles over .22 caliber, or handguns that are not black-powder (like flintlocks, vintage revolvers etc.)

And our gun control is tighter. You must own a Shotgun Certificate (which are pretty easy to get) to buy shotguns, and for anything else and shotguns with a capacity over 2 or 2+1 you must have a Firearms Certificate, which is a little trickier to get hold of, but certainly not impossible.

I know you probably don't care, but for some reason I feel compelled to inform people of this

And I just pumped some premium octane gas at US$4.25 a gallon. Convert that to pounds and your gas ain't that much more expensive than ours.

Petrol (yes I will insist on calling it petrol ) around my area is £1.35-ish per litre. Not sure how that works out, but its still not cheap. But then I have a pretty small car, so it's swings and roundabouts really.

On Topic:

I've been vaguely toying with the idea of moving to the US for a bit and finding work. Not sure why, but seems like it would be an interesting experience.

Would there be any place in particular you guys would recommended looking at, and what general advice would you give to a clueless Englishman who is unknowing of your outlandish Yank customs

Are you aware that in many places in the States, unemployment's running close to 20%? Unless you're a Registered Nurse (about the only position for which there's guaranteed employment right now), I'd advise you think about that move long and hard.

Shitter

Well you've got 2 years before I finish University, better get on it and sort your job market out by then

But seriously, that sucks. I want to work abroad, but everyone and his dog from the UK goes to work in Australia and NZ. Not that I've anything against either of those places, I jsut like the sound of the USA as something a bit different

 

[JDKJ]

Honestly if gas wasn't eight or nine bucks a gallon and guns were legal I would have moved to the UK ages ago.

Just a quick thing, but this is a particular pet hate of mine, it annoys me when people think guns are illegal.

Guns are legal here.

We're just not allowed semi-automatic rifles over .22 caliber, or handguns that are not black-powder (like flintlocks, vintage revolvers etc.)

And our gun control is tighter. You must own a Shotgun Certificate (which are pretty easy to get) to buy shotguns, and for anything else and shotguns with a capacity over 2 or 2+1 you must have a Firearms Certificate, which is a little trickier to get hold of, but certainly not impossible.

I know you probably don't care, but for some reason I feel compelled to inform people of this

And I just pumped some premium octane gas at US$4.25 a gallon. Convert that to pounds and your gas ain't that much more expensive than ours.

Petrol (yes I will insist on calling it petrol ) around my area is £1.35-ish per litre. Not sure how that works out, but its still not cheap. But then I have a pretty small car, so it's swings and roundabouts really.

On Topic:

I've been vaguely toying with the idea of moving to the US for a bit and finding work. Not sure why, but seems like it would be an interesting experience.

Would there be any place in particular you guys would recommended looking at, and what general advice would you give to a clueless Englishman who is unknowing of your outlandish Yank customs

Are you aware that in many places in the States, unemployment's running close to 20%? Unless you're a Registered Nurse (about the only position for which there's guaranteed employment right now), I'd advise you think about that move long and hard.

Shitter

Well you've got 2 years before I finish University, better get on it and sort your job market out by then

But seriously, that sucks. I want to work abroad, but everyone and his dog from the UK goes to work in Australia and NZ. Not that I've anything against either of those places, I jsut like the sound of the USA as something a bit different

See my edit above re: work papers.

I don't mean to discourage, just keepin' it real for you. In fact, it's not impossible. I met this one Aussie kid who had worked his way to America, was gonna work his way across America, and planned to work his way back home to Australia. He ain't had no work papers and wasn't planning on getting any. He was living under the radar and outta a knapsack. So it is doable. It just takes a lotta doing.

 

[megajon]

dear americans, which do think is more scary, an (american) football game or a rugby game?
(if unsure what rugby is look up all-blacks on youtube)

It's probably an even trade. Rugby players don't wear any protective gear but not many rugby players are 6' 6" and weigh 325 lbs.

lol do you watch rugby have you seen what rugby players look like also totally off topic but ive seen you answer alot of american to british questions and visa versa which are you and ive seen you give wrong answers also was totally off topic and not trying to insult just pure question.

 

[SadakoMoose]

About how offensive is the word pillock considered to be?

 

[The Harkinator]

Do you brits actually like Spotted Dick and Blood Pudding?

It's called Black Pudding, but yeah it's lovely! Just don't think too much about the stuff that's in it

For Americans:

It's a common perception that you all drive around in big trucks or fuel guzzling vehicles. To what extent is this true, and if it is, then why?

In the UK we (mostly) manage to get about without over-compensatory trucks and jeeps, we just use like... normal cars, so it seems odd for people to be driving in like 5.7 L trucks and stuff.

Trucks are common in some areas along while not so common in others. Mostly guys buy it because they feel it makes them look manly and seems to fit them. I don't think American guys want to be driving mini vans.

Question for Brits:

Do you guys have a democracy system that's like ours? Like a president and congress system?

Yes, you guys have a 'Republic' government where the head of state is the head of the elected party. GB has a 'Constitutional Monarchy' The Queen is head of the Royal Family and therefore head of state (she is also head of state in places such as Canada and Australia which makes them Constitutional Monarchies too) but the political parties make up the government. David Cameron is the current Prime Minister because his party got the majority in the election after they formed a coalition with the third party (anyone can set up a politcal party, there are hundreds of miniscule ones) so he's in charge of Parliament (your Congress). The head of the elected party is head of the government (like in the US).

The party is elected into power with 'First Past the Post' (though that may change) there are 650 constituencies (like each state votes) and the first to get 51% wins. So, yeah it's democratic. Anyway I don't want to get rid of the royal family. Theres a sweet old lady, somebody with big ears, some guy whose getting married next week and a ginger one (ginger royalty FTW though I'm not ginger).

Hmmmm... that was a bit of a long description. Oh well, in for a penny in for a pound (of text)

 

[JDKJ]

dear americans, which do think is more scary, an (american) football game or a rugby game?
(if unsure what rugby is look up all-blacks on youtube)

It's probably an even trade. Rugby players don't wear any protective gear but not many rugby players are 6' 6" and weigh 325 lbs.

lol do you watch rugby have you seen what rugby players look like also totally off topic but ive seen you answer alot of american to british questions and visa versa which are you and ive seen you give wrong answers also was totally off topic and not trying to insult just pure question.

I think I can play both side of the fence having been raised in a very British former colony (sometimes the colonies can be more British than Britain) and having now resided in the States for many years.

And my responses may not be as wrong as you think they are. For example, you LOL'd and said hominy porridge was Jamaican and therefore wasn't eaten in Britain. Have you any idea how many Jamaicans or Jamaican-descendants there are in Britain? Have you ever been to Ladbroke Grove? I'll bet you that on a good day you can smell the hominy porridge cooking from a mile away.

And, yes, I watch rugby (but mostly always the Australian Rugby Union) and I don't often see players that are 6' 6" and weigh 325 lbs. Maybe I'm watching the wrong matches.

And not to be an ass, but you may wanna consider throwing an occasional full stop between words. I got a headache reading that run-on sentence.

 

[The Harkinator]

About how offensive is the word pillock considered to be?

It basically means idiot or moron. We use it a lot in banter here in Britain. Like if somebody turns his friends DVDs and games into a hilarious set of dominos by falling against a shelf with them on you say it while laughing at him.

E.g. if I want to let someone know they've been really stupid I'll say:
'You bloody idiot, don't step there! Thats broken glass and you're barefoot!'

If you want to be lighthearted:
'I found out the problem with the internet, I forgot to plug it in.'
'You pillock, just because it says WIRELESS doesn't mean you don't need to plug it into the mains.'

I normally say bloody to let someone know how dangerously stupid (like high voltage style) they're being.

 

[megajon]

dear americans, which do think is more scary, an (american) football game or a rugby game?
(if unsure what rugby is look up all-blacks on youtube)

It's probably an even trade. Rugby players don't wear any protective gear but not many rugby players are 6' 6" and weigh 325 lbs.

lol do you watch rugby have you seen what rugby players look like also totally off topic but ive seen you answer alot of american to british questions and visa versa which are you and ive seen you give wrong answers also was totally off topic and not trying to insult just pure question.

I think I can play both side of the fence having been raised in a very British former colony (sometimes the colonies can be more British than Britain) and havingn ow resided in the States for many years.

And my responses may not be as wrong as you think they are. For example, you LOL'd and said hominy porridge was Jamaican and therefore wasn't eaten in Britain. Have you any idea how many Jamaicans or Jamaican-descendents there are in Britain? Have you ever been to Ladbroke Grove? I'll bet you that on a good day you smell the hominy porridge cooking from a mile away.

And not to an ass, but you may wanna consider throwing an occasional full stop between words. I got a headache reading that run-on sentence.

I'm not going to say your wrong about the colonies but OP was pointed mostly at britain as a whole so i won't say who is more british because what does that mean? please tell me.

hominy porridge is jamaican i didn't say it wasn't eaten here but you won't find it everwhere and its not an british thing and sorry to say but we don't all live in london and don't all go to london all the time since it costs alot of money to go there. I am very aware of the jamaican decent because I am half jamaican so i know first hand about hominy porridge also last bit i am aware of my very very and super poor sentence structure its a work in progress and i struggle sometimes because i am dyslexic so i do thinks without noticing sometimes and even when i reread can't see the mistakes.

 

[SadakoMoose]

About how offensive is the word pillock considered to be?

It basically means idiot or moron. We use it a lot in banter here in Britain. Like if somebody turns his friends DVDs and games into a hilarious set of dominos by falling against a shelf with them on you say it while laughing at him.

E.g. if I want to let someone know they've been really stupid I'll say:
'You bloody idiot, don't step there! That's broken glass and you're barefoot!'

If you want to be lighthearted:
'I found out the problem with the internet, I forgot to plug it in.'
'You pillock, just because it says WIRELESS doesn't mean you don't need to plug it into the mains.'

I normally say bloody to let someone know how dangerously stupid (like high voltage style) they're being.

Ah, good to know
Ok so more questions for you:
How big IS Charlie Brooker over there?
Do you remember World of Sport?
Do you remember Ghostwatch?
and what's Manchester like?

 

[Karlosdj86]

I have a question for the Americans among us.

How many British TV Shows are broadcast in the USA? Has anyone from over the pond seen Gavin and Stacey, the IT Crowd, the original Office (with ricky gervais) or Top Gear or any others you can think of

 

[JDKJ]

dear americans, which do think is more scary, an (american) football game or a rugby game?
(if unsure what rugby is look up all-blacks on youtube)

It's probably an even trade. Rugby players don't wear any protective gear but not many rugby players are 6' 6" and weigh 325 lbs.

lol do you watch rugby have you seen what rugby players look like also totally off topic but ive seen you answer alot of american to british questions and visa versa which are you and ive seen you give wrong answers also was totally off topic and not trying to insult just pure question.

I think I can play both side of the fence having been raised in a very British former colony (sometimes the colonies can be more British than Britain) and havingn ow resided in the States for many years.

And my responses may not be as wrong as you think they are. For example, you LOL'd and said hominy porridge was Jamaican and therefore wasn't eaten in Britain. Have you any idea how many Jamaicans or Jamaican-descendents there are in Britain? Have you ever been to Ladbroke Grove? I'll bet you that on a good day you smell the hominy porridge cooking from a mile away.

And not to an ass, but you may wanna consider throwing an occasional full stop between words. I got a headache reading that run-on sentence.

I'm not going to say your wrong about the colonies but OP was pointed mostly at britain as a whole so i won't say who is more british because what does that mean? please tell me.

hominy porridge is jamaican i didn't say it wasn't eaten here but you won't find it everwhere and its not an british thing and sorry to say but we don't all live in london and don't all go to london all the time since it costs alot of money to go there. I am very aware of the jamaican decent because I am half jamaican so i know first hand about hominy porridge also last bit i am aware of my very very and super poor sentence structure its a work in progress and i struggle sometimes because i am dyslexic so i do thinks without noticing sometimes and even when i reread can't see the mistakes.

My bad. I thought it was pure laziness. If you are indeed dyslexic, then you've got a good excuse. I apologize and will simply put up with the headaches. EDIT: And your sentence structure isn't all that bad. But your paragraphs would benefit from the occasional full stop between sentences.

It means that I'm not ignorant to the game of cricket. I played it all the way through school. I think I'm qualified to answer a question about cricket. Just like I think I'm qualified to answer a question about driving on the left-hand side of the road. I learned to drive on the left-hand side of the road. And it took me years to quit reversing the dates and to call it a "truck" and not a "lorry."

And you didn't say "not everywhere." You laughed at me and said "nowhere." But I let it slide. And not to be an ass, but making a broad generalization based on your experiences isn't a smart thing to do. Just because you may not be eating goat's head soup (with a goat's eyeball looking up at you outta the bowl) in your house, doesn't mean that all those West Indians in London aren't eating it for supper every Friday.