10 British Terms That Americans Don't Use

Ever wonder what words are commonly used across the pond? Yeah, us too. So, what IS a crumpet anyway?

1. Ladder

Via blogger.com

USA: Our version is a tool used to get to otherwise unreachable places

England: To our friends in England, it’s a run in stockings or tights.

2. Pie

Via i.ytimg.com

USA: To us, it’s deliciously apple-y with an optional scoop of ice cream on top.

England: To them, it’s usually filled with beef and veggies.

Is it treason if I say that the meat-filled pie is looking pretty tasty right about now?

3. Bird

Via blogs.menshealth.es

USA: Well…it flies? It has wings and feathers? You know what a bird is.

England: In England, a bird is a commonly used slang term for a girl.

4. Pants

Via http://i00.i.aliimg.com

USA: Pants in America are a type of outer-wear for your bottom-half. Jeans, khakis, and the like.

England: Underwear!*

*So yes, when you visit London and ask the shopkeeper to help you find "pants in your size", YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

5. Pudding

Via weddingphotography.com.ph

USA: A creamy, usually chocolate- or vanilla-flavored dessert.

England: This is their term for dessert in general. So now when your new British friend asks you if you’re in the mood for some pudding, don’t assume you’re about to head to the grocery store and pick up a four-pack of chocolate kids’ snacks.

6. Trolley

Via macktruckclub.com

USA: Think San Francisco — fun-looking public transport vehicle.

England: A truck.

7. Fanny

Via payload70.cargocollective.com

USA: A butt, or the first half of the phrase for the now-outdated “Fanny pack”*.

England: A vagina.

*Now think of how weird it must be to English people that we have something called a fanny pack.

** The picture above is a different sort of fanny pack. Clever, England. Very clever.

8. Mate

Via ecorazzi.com

USA: A significant other or sexual partner. More commonly used to describe animals than humans.

England: A friend.

9. Pissed

Via tinypic.com

USA: Usually used to describe a temporary state of anger.

England: Usually used to describe a temporary state of drunkenness.

Quick poll: Do any Americans out there use the word "pissed" to describe being drunk? Now a-days with words like "schwasty" and "plastered", who needs pissed?

10. Cuddle

Via wordpress.com

USA: In America, cuddling normally involves two people in bed together, snuggling up next to one another. May include, but not limited to spooning. Ugh. Spooning. Foreveralone?

England: A hug.

Sorry -- the urge to include one more animal pic was just too strong.

Via i.ytimg.com

What are some other words used in England that mean something different in the States? Let us know in the comments below!

…Does anyone else want to go google the history of the fanny pack now? Nope? Just me? Cool.