Information to help our friends from America. Some of our words mean something entirely different so be careful.

Electric Current

The standard current in the UK is 240volts 50 cycles. Converters (transformers) may be purchased at many hardware and specialty stores in the US. Many items such as notebook computers, digital cameras, and video cameras operate on any standard so that no transformer is required, however you will need a converter for the different pin configuration. Make sure you check before departing.





FOOD

Biscuit  /  Cookie

Crisps  /   Potato Chips

Chips  /   French Fries

Bangers & Mash  /  English Sausage & Mashed Potatoes

Afters   /   Desserts

Pudding   /  Dessert

Starters /  Appetizers

Pips  /  Orange Pits, etc.

Stone  /  Peach Pit, etc.

Candy Floss /  Cotton Candy

Sweets  /  Candy

Gateau /  Layer Cake

Gammon  /  Cured Ham

Rashers  /   Bacon Strips

Ice Lolly  /   Popsicle, Icesicle

Peckish  /  Hungry

 

CLOTHING

Waistcoat  / Vest

Vest  /  Undershirt

Plus Fours /  Knickers

Knickers  / Panties

Brolly  /  Umbrella

Face Flannel  /  Wash Cloth

Jumper  /  Sweater

Nappy  /  Diaper

Braces  /  Suspenders

Suspenders /  Garter Belt

 

TRANSPORT & AUTOMOTIVE

Windscreen /  Windshield

Boot  /  Trunk (of a car)

Bonnet  /   Hood (of a car)

Wing  /  Fender

Lorry  /  Truck

Roundabout /  Traffic Circle

Car Park  /  Parking Lot

Motorway  /   Freeway, Expressway

High Street  /   Main Drag

A To Zed   /   brand of Street Map

 

COMMUNITY & BUSINESS

Char, Char Woman  /  Cleaning Lady

Barrister  /  Trial Lawyer

Solicitor /  General Lawyer

Commercial Traveler / Traveling Salesman

Estate Agent   /   Realtor

Fire Brigade  /   Fire Department

State School  /   Public School

Public School  /  Private School

Post Code  /   ZIP Code

Pillar Box  /  Mail Box

 

PROPERTY & BUILDINGS

Flat  /  Apartment

Block of Flats /  Apartment Building

Carsy, Bog, Loo  /  The John - Toilet

Outhouse, W.C.  /  Toilet

Public Convenience  /  Public Toilet ( Some are to be avoided)

En Suite Bedroom /  Bedroom with private Bath & Toilet

Lounge, Sitting Room, Parlor / Living Room

Bedsit  /  Studio Apartment

Flat to Let /  Apartment for Rent

For Sale – Freehold  /  Land and/or Building For Sale

Leasehold /  Very Long Term Rental Contract

 

HOUSEHOLD

Telly,  The Box,  Boob Tube /    TV

Valve   /   Vacuum Tube (Radio, TV)

The Wireless  /  The Radio

Electric Fire   /  Electrical Heater

Mains Power Point   /   Electric Outlet

Washing Up Liquid   /   Dishwashing Liquid (detergent)

Pram, Perambulator /   Baby Carriage

Serviette   /   Napkin

Father Christmas  /  St. Nick, Santa Claus

In The Nick /   In Jail / Prison

In Good Nick  /  In Good Shape

Nicked  /   Arrested, Stole, Stolen

Pissed, Blotto,  Souced /  Drunk (from Alcohol)

Pavement  / Sidewalk

The Tube  /  The London Underground Trains

Subway  /   Pedestrian Underpass (Walkway)

 

OFFICE

Ex-directory  /  Unlisted Phone Number

Guillotine  /  Paper Cutter

Lift /  Elevator

Snaps  /  Photos

Diary  /   Appointment Book

Biro  / Ballpoint Pen

Push Pin, Drawing Pin / Thumb Tack

Elastic Band  /   Rubber Band

Rubber  /  Eraser

TRANSPORT & AUTOMOTIVE

Salon Car /  Sedan

Estate Car /  Station Wagon

Taxi Rank /  Cab Stand

Banger  (Old banger) /  Jalopy

Zebra / Pelican Crossing  /  Pedestrian Crossing, Crosswalk

Lay-by  /   Road Rest Stop

Single  / One-way ticket

Return  /  Round-trip ticket

Dual Carriageway  /   Divided Highway

Tinned Food  /  Canned food

Dustbin, Bin  /   Garbage Can, Waste Basket

Bank Holiday /  Public Holiday

Holidays  /  Vacation

(to) Book /  Make A Reservation

Guv, Guv'nor  /  Someone w/ Higher Job or Social                                                  

Cotton Wool /   Cotton Balls / Batting

Spanner  /  (Monkey) Wrench

Cheers, Ta /  Thank You

Torch  /  Flashlight

Racialist /  Racist

Enquiry /  Inquiry

Life Assurance  / Life Insurance

Tyre  /  Tire (for a vehicle)

Bum, Arse  /   Buttocks, Ass

Cobblers, Bollocks  /   Testicles

Bristols, Boobs  /  Breasts

Knock you up (in the morning)  /  I'll wake you up

Mind the Gap /  Watch Your Step  (Train Boarding)

Aeroplane  /  Airplane

 

JOBS & SHOPS

Green Grocer  /   Fruit & Vegetable Vendor

Fruiterers'  /  Fruit Dealer

Ironmongers'  /   Hardware Store

Fishmongers'  /  Fish Store (raw)

Joiner   /   Finish Carpenter

Removal Service  /   Movers

Removal Van   /   Moving Truck / Van

Transport Cafe /  Truck Stop

Chippie  /   Fish & Chips Shop (Fish And Chips English Tradition. Try putting salt and vinegar on your fish and chips)

Chemist's /  Pharmacy, Drug Store

Take Out  /  Take Away (as in fast food)

Redundant /   Unemployed, Layed-off

Sacked /   Dismissed, Fired

Value Added Tax / V.A.T. /  Sales Tax

Dole  /   Welfare

Bank Draught / Cheque  /   Bank Check

Hire Purchase  /  Buy on Credit

Current Account  /   Checking Account

Dear, Pricey /  Expensive

Old Age Pensioner/OAP  /  Senior Citizen / Retiree

Straight On  /  Straight Ahead

Flyover /   Overpass

Jumble Sale /  Garage / Church Fund Raising Sale

Car Boot Sale / Collection of private vendors selling from car trunks in a muddy field.

Interval  /  Intermission

Lead /   Leash (as for a dog)

Walking Stick /  Cane

Naughts & Crosses  /  Tic-tac-toe

Draughts   /    Checkers (the game)

Kiosk  /   Booth (Phone, Ticket)

Blower  /   Phone

Down Market  /   Common, Cheap

Up Market  / Classy, Upscale

Buckle Your Seat Belt /  Belt Up / Buckle Up

Belt Up  /  Shut Up (slang)

Artic(ulated) Trailer   / Tractor Trailer (as in 18 wheeler)

Paraffin  /  Kerosene

Petrol  /   Gasoline, Gas

Filling Station  /  Gas Station

 

MISCELLANEOUS

Cheeky  /  Brazen

Chin-wag /  Conversation

Smashing  / Brilliant  /  Wonderful

Chum  / Buddy

Bloke, Chap /  Man, Boy, Fellow

Bugger  /   Bastard, Jerk

Bugger Off/ Piss Off   / Take a Hike, Get Lost

Snog(ing)  /   Neck(ing)

Fag / Cigarette 

Minder  /  Babysitter, Bodyguard 

Bent Copper  /   Crooked Cop

Rubbish   /   Garbage

Send to Coventry  /   Banish, Ostracize

Cheerio /   Good-bye

One up the Spout  /   Pregnant, Knocked up

Bun in the Oven /  Pregnant, Knocked Up

Raver  /   Party Person

Skiver  /   Cheater, Slacker

Chuffed  / Pleased with Oneself

Knuckle Duster /  Brass Knuckles

Wonky  /  Unstable, Faulty

Whoops a daisy /  Unstable action

Just a few examples but you will not find it a big problem in the U.K.

P


A Realistic Vacation Budget Depends on the Currency Exchange

 

What should I know about exchanging currency?

Planning a vacation to London or a cruise liner to Plymouth can make anyone want break out and start dancing. Vacations are always fun, but a vacation in another part of the world is a real adventure. Knowing how and where to exchange currency is important if you want to get the most out of your hard earned money. The currency exchange market is an important part of your vacation plans, so it’s important to do some research and get some help from a professional. You want your budget to be used for nice hotels, fine restaurants and other purchases, but if you wait until the last minute to exchange currency you may find yourself eating fast food and sleeping in a Hostel with a shared bathroom instead of enjoying a nice English villa that dates back to the 18th century.

 

The exchange rate is always in motion. Waiting until you arrive at Heathrow airport to exchange money can be a disastrous decision, especially if you’re trading Dollars for Pounds and the Dollar just took a nose dive in the global market. A 1300 point swing in the value of the Dollar can cost you an extra $130 for $1000 you exchange. That has a major impact on your budget and your stress level. The currency exchange market is a vital part of your budget, so small amounts of money should be exchanged at different times during the planning stage of the trip, so you know exactly what each exchange costs. When you average your exchanges you’re able to use actual values in your budget which takes the financial guess work out of the trip. You also protect yourself from sudden shifts in currency values that can destroy a vacation before it starts.

 

Where should I exchange my money?

Banks always want to exchange money for you. They add a fee to every exchange plus they may only post one or two rates a day which means you may not get a real time rate. Credit card companies love to exchange money. They use their own rate which includes their profit plus they add a surcharge to every travel purchase, so you never know how much each exchange costs until you get the statement and that’s always a surprise. Airport currency traders may add a fee to the rate which means you have less money to spend on the trip.

 

A reliable currency trader will help you average your exchanges using a real time rate. When you use a professional trader you avoid hidden fees, surcharges and bogus exchange rates. You have more money to spend on food, lodging and trip purchases.

 

Other travel thoughts

Some countries limit the amount of cash you can carry through customs. If you exceed the limit, your money can be confiscated. It’s always a good idea to carry cash in a money belt or hidden pocket that’s secure and out of sight and hotel safes and other security measures should be used when you arrive. Common sense is your best security tool, so try to remember to use it.

 

Additional information on currency exchange, forex trading, in depth articles to help you understand trading currencies such as; price action: chart patterns and price formation, make sure to visit ForexTraders.com

 



Whats the Dollar Worth Today.Click the lnk below

www.xe.com/ucc

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