8 English Words You Should Never Use Abroad
You may think it's easy to communicate when you're visiting another English-speaking country, but you could be embarrassingly wrong. Certain words mean something entirely different on the other side of the world. Read on to see which eight words could cause an awkward situation across the pond or down under.
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1. Pants
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2. Fanny
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3. Pissed
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4. Bangs
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5. Knob
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6. Root
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7. Bugger
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8. Pull
Be careful who you tell in the U.K. that you have to go pants shopping—across the pond, "pants" means "underwear." When you're talking about jeans and khakis, you should call them "trousers."
Where to Avoid Using: The U.K., Ireland
Own a fanny pack? In most other English-speaking countries, they're called "bum bags" because "fanny" is slang for a part of the female anatomy (and no, we're not talking about the rear end). So don't tell someone to stop being lazy and get off their fanny, either!
Where to Avoid Using: The U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa
In America, we may get "pissed off" when we're angry, but the Brits and Irish who are "pissed" are extremely intoxicated. "Taking the piss," however, means "to make fun of," not "to get drunk."
Where to Avoid Using: The U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand
If you're bragging about your new "bangs" in England, prepare for weird looks. A forehead-covering haircut over there is referred to as a "fringe" instead. Overseas, "bangs" is more commonly used as the somewhat vulgar slang that it is interchangeable with in America.
Where to Avoid Using: Anywhere outside of North America
Americans hear the word "knob" and think "doorknob" or "lever." It has a much dirtier meaning in other countries, like Australia and the U.K., where it's an insult or slang for a part of the male anatomy. Now you'll know to be offended if someone calls you a "knob head."
Where to Avoid Using: The U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa
Americans may "root around" looking for a lost object, but Australians and New Zealanders use the term to refer to having sex.
Where to Avoid Using: Australia, New Zealand
If you affectionately call your child or pet "little bugger," you might want to reconsider doing so in pretty much any other English-speaking country. In most other places, from Canada to Australia, it is commonly used as an expletive similar to the f-word.
Where to Avoid Using: Most places outside of America
Related:This is the Most Annoying Thing You Can Do on an Airplane
If someone "pulled" last night in the U.K., they're probably not talking about pulling a muscle or drawing something apart. It's commonly used as slang for successfully picking up someone while out on the town. Likewise, "going on the pull" means that someone is going out with the specific goal of getting some action.
Where to Avoid Using: The U.K., Ireland