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A Guide to British Words by a Brit - Common errors made when non-brits write in a British Fandom.
Just thought I'd offer this small titbit of info for any writers maybe struggling with British Colloquialisms and quirks of the language. If anyone would like anymore advice feel free to message me or comment and I would be happy to Brit-Pick for you :) Issie x
Pavement - NEVER Sidewalk, it just isn't used in British colloquialism. (Well I've never heard it and I've spent my 24 years in England :D)
Motorway- NOT highway, highway is also never used by Brits.
Flat- 'Apartment' is usually used to describe a modern high-end property generally within a city. Flat is usually the preferred word of choice for other types of 'apartment'
Petrol Station- Never gas station.- On the subject of 'gas' when speaking about 'gas' in the bodily manner, we generally refer to it as 'wind'.
Mum/Mummy- Mom/Mommy are also very rarely used. Also in certain parts Mam/Mammy are used. This tends to be very Northern parts of the UK, Newcastle etc and Scotland. I'm from Manchester (which is Northern) and Mum is generally the most common term used here.
Nappy/Nappies- NEVER NEVER NEVER diaper/diapers
Moses Basket- The term Bassinet also very rarely used (generally only in baby catalogues).
Another I frequently see (especially in this fandom) Is the use of the term M.D. To describe a Doctor (of medicine) M.D. Is not used to describe Doctors here, they are generally just referred to as Doctor (and their last name).
In the U.K. Healthcare and hospital treatment is free to all so medical bills (apart from prescription charges), unless one chooses to go private, do not exist.
When seeing a Doctor for an issue that is either not an emergency or does not need tests etc one would go to a Doctors Surgery to see a G.P. (General Practitioner, This is the job John Watson was doing in S.1 of Sherlock) Doctors Surgeries are generally NOT found in hospitals.
Swearing & Dirty words (I know a lot of these, ask my mother)
Arse - Not Ass, Ass as a word is generally only used to describe a stupid person (or a donkey) or within the saying 'kiss my ass' its really not used any other way here.
Bollocks- BOLLOCKS NOT BULLOCKS, this swear word is a favourite of mine :) referring to the testicles, and often used when something goes wrong (get to the shop, go to pay and realise your cash is at home and exclaim "BOLLOCKS") also can be used in the same way as 'Bullshit' e.g. "You're talking absolute Bollocks, mate"
Wanker- Their is a distinct lack of Wankers in this fandom! Sherlock would have DEFINATELY been called a wanker in his life...Think Jerk but ruder :)...or Dick!
Wank/Wanking/Wanks- To Masturbate (generally only applied to male masturbation...not really a general british term for female masturbation, I'm a fan of the euphemisms 'Flicking the Bean' & 'Double-Clicking your Mouse'....there are many many more
Shite- like Shit but sounds so much better (Irish influenced) "you're talking shite man"
That's all :) hope this helps anyone who is interested and no offence is taken. I am not judging anyone's work merely putting this out there incase it is of interest to anybody.
Issie :) xx