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Words known better in the US than in the UK, and vice versa

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Re: Words known better in the US than in the UK, and vice versa

#41

Post by OJFord »

hollerith wrote: post #37
gattilorenz wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Provolone seems to be a fairly 'American' cheese. It's definitely quite common in Italy (together with the smaller "provola"), but not so much in other EU countries. > I've also noticed that at least some cheese sold as "Provolone" in the US isn't actually from Italy This doesn't surprise me... I hear that there is also plenty of "Parmesan-like" cheese sold in US supermarkets too (not sure how good or bad it resemb…

In Europe does champagne need to the from the Champagne region of France? Burgundy wine?

Absolutely.

See DOC (Italian), AOC (French), and PDO (EU).

Re: Words known better in the US than in the UK, and vice versa

#42

Post by nly »

nwiswell wrote: post #40
nly wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We call it paracetamol. You will also find Aspirin is rarely used OTC here.

> We call it paracetamol. And at that looks like acetaminophen is the "adopted" (made up) name -- huh. The chemical name is N-acetyl-para-aminophenol, which explains why I see it called "APAP" in medical contexts.

Now try and lookup "TCP"

One big difference in the UK to the US is we seem to use far fewer brand names when it comes to medicine.

Except Savlon. Savlon is forever in everyones childhood memories

Re: Words known better in the US than in the UK, and vice versa

#45

Post by mafro »

hollerith wrote: post #37
gattilorenz wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Provolone seems to be a fairly 'American' cheese. It's definitely quite common in Italy (together with the smaller "provola"), but not so much in other EU countries. > I've also noticed that at least some cheese sold as "Provolone" in the US isn't actually from Italy This doesn't surprise me... I hear that there is also plenty of "Parmesan-like" cheese sold in US supermarkets too (not sure how good or bad it resemb…

In Europe does champagne need to the from the Champagne region of France? Burgundy wine?

Champagne, yes. Not too sure if Burgundy is just a word used to describe the style of wines from Burgundy, rather than being protected under EU regs.

EDIT: "AOC Bourgogne" is the official term, possibly Burgundy would also be enforced

Re: Words known better in the US than in the UK, and vice versa

#46

Post by dagw »

mafro wrote: post #45
hollerith wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In Europe does champagne need to the from the Champagne region of France? Burgundy wine?

Champagne, yes. Not too sure if Burgundy is just a word used to describe the style of wines from Burgundy, rather than being protected under EU regs. EDIT: "AOC Bourgogne" is the official term, possibly Burgundy would also be enforced

You can describe your wine as a "burgundy style" in your marketing material, just like you can say your wine is made using the "champagne method", but the words "Burgundy" or "Champagne" cannot appear on the label of your wine.

Re: Words known better in the US than in the UK, and vice versa

#47

Post by anfilt »

raverbashing wrote: post #10
sdflhasjd wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Kerbside is listed as being unknown to americans so people do seem sensitive to spelling

Makes me want to say "yes I am sensitive to spelling. Especially to misspelled words ;) " (especially as curb having the same origin as curve) but yeah, it's not hard to see what it means.

Seems like it was spelled that way looking at the etymology to differentiate kurb and curb. Seems like when horses were still prominent curb referred to a strap used on horses.

https://www.etymonline.com/word/kerb#etymonline_v_1818

Basically, curb was a type of restraint meant to hold back. So a curb/kurb on the street is just a tiny retaining wall holding back dirt. Some times it is fun to look at etymology. Also makes phrases "like curb your ambition" make more sense.

Re: Words known better in the US than in the UK, and vice versa

#48

Post by gattilorenz »

hollerith wrote: post #37
gattilorenz wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Provolone seems to be a fairly 'American' cheese. It's definitely quite common in Italy (together with the smaller "provola"), but not so much in other EU countries. > I've also noticed that at least some cheese sold as "Provolone" in the US isn't actually from Italy This doesn't surprise me... I hear that there is also plenty of "Parmesan-like" cheese sold in US supermarkets too (not sure how good or bad it resemb…

In Europe does champagne need to the from the Champagne region of France? Burgundy wine?

As the other commenters said, yes. And of course, at least Italy (but probably more countries in the EU/the whole of the EU) would really like to enforce the same limits on denominations in the US.

Re: Words known better in the US than in the UK, and vice versa

#49

Post by Accacin »

elevaet wrote: post #4

I was surprised that 'kebob' isn't a well-known word in the UK. I believe it's a 'kebab' in the UK, which seems so close. As a Canadian I was disappointed to find my familiarities sided more on the US side than the UK. Now excuse me as I go look up 'gazump' ...

The only people here (UK) and the people buying houses. You have no idea what it means, then you really care what it means all of a sudden :D

Re: Words known better in the US than in the UK, and vice versa

#50

Post by lbriner »

ziftface wrote: post #17
sdflhasjd wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Kerbside is listed as being unknown to americans so people do seem sensitive to spelling

Wait is it really called a "kerb" in the UK?

Something to remember is that not very long ago, many words didn't have an accepted spelling, they were spelled phonetically. Although Curb would sound correct since it might be to curb things on the road from hitting the pavement/sidewalk, spelling it as kerb would have been OK.

Bill Bryson talks about this in one of his books (long time ago, I can't remember which) and it explains weird things like why the US pronounce Derby as it sounds but the Brits call it so it sounds like Darby.

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