Chips or Crisps? Pants or Trousers?

Planning a tour of the UK? You might want to pack more than just your suitcase—you’ll need your sense of humour too! While English may be the common language on both sides of the Atlantic, the differences between British and American English can be both amusing and confusing. Whether you’re joining one of our guided tours of the UK or simply exploring independently, here’s a light-hearted guide to help bridge the language gap.

Let’s start with some everyday mix-ups. In the UK:

• Chips are thick-cut fries.

• Fries are what you get at a fast-food chain.

• Crisps are what Americans call potato chips.

• Biscuits are crunchy, sweet snacks (think “digestives”), not fluffy bread rolls.

And then there’s clothing. In Britain, pants mean underwear. So if someone says, “Nice pants,” they might not be complimenting your fashion sense the way they think they are! What Americans call pants, the British call trousers.

🚽 Toilets and Trolleys

You might need to go to the bathroom—but in the UK, it’s more likely to be the loo, the toilet, or even the bog (a bit cheeky, that one). Ask for the restroom, and someone might think you’re after a quiet nap.

Similarly, when shopping, Brits put groceries in a trolley, not a cart. And if you’re parking your car, you’ll pull into a car park, not a parking lot.

📞 Cockney Rhyming Slang: A Riddle Wrapped in an Enigma

Venture into East London, and you might find yourself completely flummoxed by Cockney rhyming slang, a playful local dialect that swaps everyday words for quirky rhymes.

Here are some favourites:

• Apples and pears = stairs

• Dog and bone = phone

• Trouble and strife = wife

• Butcher’s hook = look (“Have a butcher’s at this!”)

• Ruby Murray = curry (“Fancy a ruby tonight?”)

• Loaf of bread = head (“Use your loaf!”)

It’s part rhyme, part code, and 100% British humour.

🗣️ Regional Expressions Across England

The UK might be small, but it packs in an astonishing number of accents, dialects, and regional sayings. When enjoying tours in Great Britain, you’re sure to pick up a few local gems:

Yorkshire

• “Ey up!” – A classic Northern greeting

• “Ginnel” – A narrow passageway or alley

• “Nowt” – Nothing (“I’ve got nowt left in me wallet.”)

Liverpool (Scouse)

• “Made up” – Really pleased (“I’m made up to see you!”)

• “Sound” – Cool or fine (“He’s sound, that lad.”)

Newcastle (Geordie)

• “Howay man!” – A general exclamation (“Come on!” or “No way!”)

• “Canny” – Good or nice (“She’s a canny lass.”)

Cornwall

• “Proper job” – Done well or spot on (“That pasty was a proper job.”)

• “Dreckly” – Sooner or later… maybe! (similar to “mañana” in Spain)

West Country (Devon/Somerset)

• “Gurt lush” – Very nice or beautiful (“That cider was gurt lush!”)

• “Where’s that to?” – Where is that?

🤝 Lost in Translation? Laugh It Off!

All these fun language quirks are what make guided tours of the UK such a culturally rich experience. Most Brits love a good giggle over misunderstandings, and it’s all taken in stride. So whether you’re pushing a pram (stroller), wearing a jumper (sweater), or trying to suss something out (figure it out), just remember: the journey is all about learning something new—with a smile.

✨ Want to Explore the Real England?

Our guided coach tours take you beyond the guidebooks—through local villages, bustling cities, and scenic countryside, where you can experience the language, humour, and hospitality of Britain firsthand.

👉 Browse our tours of Britain: GlobalCoachTours.com

📞 Have questions? Let’s have a chinwag!