We have a lot in common with our transatlantic neighbors across the pond, but there are a number of peculiar differences, from whether you say “trash” or “trash” or opt for a Hershey’s bar instead of a Cadbury’s Dairy Milk.
And when it comes to slang, both Brits and Americans enjoy some unique and sometimes baffling phrases.
A man from the United Kingdom was left baffled, after being questioned about the words used by people from the United States, during a podcast about languages.
English teacher Sam, from Manchester, co-host The Bridging Borders podcastIt was tested with simpler terms like “extra” as well as stricter regional phrases.
Host Veronika Mark, a Russian translator and content creator, kicked off the episode, which was uploaded to Youtube in February and racked up 2,000 views – with ‘bussin”.
A man from the United Kingdom was left baffled, after being questioned about the words used by people from the United States, during a podcast about languages.
“I’ve definitely heard this,” Sam said weakly. “But I will have to wait until the sentencing.”
However, he successfully deduced that it is a term of high praise, especially used for food.
However, Veronika added that “anything can be a deal” as it simply implies that something is “amazing” or “really good.”
Next, Sam easily guessed that “amplified” meant “excited” or “exaggerated.”
“I think one makes more sense because it’s like an amplifier,” he told Veronika.
However, he stumbled slightly over the word “extra.”
“Exaggerated,” he suggested. “Like… you’re giving too much energy or focus to something.”
English teacher Sam, from Manchester, co-host of The Bridging Borders Podcast, was tested on simpler terms such as “extra” as well as more difficult regional phrases.
“Not exactly,” Veronika replied. —Well, I think you were very close. It means dramatic, like attracting attention.
His next slang word was “salty.”
“I know this one,” Sam replied. ‘People say the same thing in the UK too. It’s like you’re upset, but it’s a little more than annoying.’ The couple also concluded that it means you’re being “a little childish.”
Next, Veronika questioned her co-host about the phrase “all hats, no cattle.”
“I guess it’s like the equivalent of all bark, no bite,” Sam offered, but admitted he wasn’t sure he understood why.
“I guess it comes from a pastor,” Veronika stated. ‘You wear this hat they wear… but you don’t have cattle.
“So it means you pretend to be something but you don’t have the assets, the skills.”
Sam also revealed that he has “no idea” about the next period, which is “he was born on third base but thinks he hit a triple.”
He had difficulty with more regional words, including “brick,” which New Yorkers say refers to cold weather, and “bubbler,” which is another word for a water fountain.
‘Isn’t he as good as he thinks he is?’ he suggested.
Veronika explained that the expression comes from a popular sport in the United States.
“In baseball, if you’re at third base, it’s a very good position,” he said. ‘It means you were born with enormous advantages.
‘I think in English there is an expression… they fed you with a silver spoon… it goes something like this.
‘But then “you think you hit a triple”… hitting a triple in baseball is very difficult. It requires a lot of skill and a lot of work. So you think you are where you are because of your own hard work.
“That really showed my lack of baseball knowledge,” Sam joked.
Next, Veronika asked Sam to describe what it means if something “hits” or “hits.”
“I haven’t heard any slaps,” he admitted. However, she correctly said that something is “really good” if it “hits.”
Veronika said that “in America there is a big debate” about when to use “slaps” versus “slaps.”
Host Veronika Mark, a Russian translator and content creator, began the episode, which was uploaded to YouTube in February and racked up 2,000 views, with “bussin.”
“Many Americans say that with food you have to slap, with music you have to slap,” he added.
Sam was also given the “no limit” test, something he had “heard a lot about” but “had no idea what it means.”
“It means like…really,” Veronika said. ‘It’s not a lie, I’m not lying to you.’
He struggled with more regional words, including “brick,” which New Yorkers say refers to cold weather, and “bubbler,” which is another word for a water fountain.
However, Sam knew what it meant to be “GOATed”, the “greatest of all time”, although he thought it was “an overused term”.
“There should only be one greatest of all time,” he insisted. “It has to be for the best… people use GOAT too freely.”
“Americans tend to exaggerate a lot,” Veronika responded.
He also knew correctly that “by God” meant “the absolute truth” and “swearing by God” that someone is being honest.
The Brit came across the last question, which was an acronym: “ASL.” Veronika explained that this used to mean “age, gender, location” in older chat rooms, but has since taken on a new meaning on TikTok.
“I’m 28, Veronika, I don’t use TikTok,” Sam said. “I actually have no idea.”
His co-host explained that the acronym, used at the end of an expression, means “like hell.” For example, someone may say that they are “very tired” in the sense of “very tired.”
‘People say that? “I’m clearly getting old and uncool,” Sam said in response.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the divide, a British man left the Internet angry after asking his American girlfriend to guess the meaning of popular UK slang.
Rya and Luke have built a loyal fan base of over 152,000 followers on Tik Tok thanks to their happy couple videos.
More recently, the duo took to the platform once again to compare and contrast the slang of both cultures, with surprising results.
In the original clip, which has so far been viewed more than 383,000 times, Luke wasted little time testing Rya’s knowledge.
His first example was: “I’m going to see a man for a dog.”
Rya initially laughed before responding: “That sounds like, ‘I’m going to see a doctor about my illness.’ I’m going to talk to someone who knows what they’re talking about.”‘
But he got it a little wrong when Luke explained that it actually meant, “I’m going to go to the bathroom.”
His girlfriend laughed before questioning the “terrible” phrase.