Funny Language Barrier confusions

[j&js 0]

In Ireland almost anytime you use the word 'ride' you are talking about sex so things get a little confusing when an American uses the word meaning anything from driving someone somewhere to amusement parks. My future mother-in-law was telling me about the American choir director at her church that asked the middle-aged group of women in the choir if anybody could give her a ride and freaked them all out before they figured out what she meant

I always try really hard to use the term lift instead of ride, but I slip up and get laughed at a lot!

[jkb919 0]

Oh my Gosh, this thread is too funny,

My fiance is from Jamaica and they speak english so we dont have trouble with words too often. This isnt as funny as most of yours but I cracked up the first time he said I had "tall" hair...instead of long.

[Satisfaction 1]

I always thought that one was funny. What is a thong in Canada? Something you wear on the beach too... (but not in the same area )

Thong (Canada)

Thong (US): see picture

"Thing" is also something you can wear on certain beaches.

[cbd2cai 0]

hmmmmm, I seem to remember calling "flip flops" "thongs", but I guess the first meaning is more common now (ahhhhh, the power of advertising) . . . personally, I'd rather not see the other "thong" on a beach . . . LOL!!!

[Rosie420 2]

I've never had such an amusing language issue, though there was a tense moment with my future MIL over the 'fanny' definition once. Luckily it was sorted quickly! My fiance takes the piss about the way I pronounce certain words, like 'butter' and 'water', but I know he thinks my accent is cute.

[Fandango 1,439]

One time we were at our local & our friends behind the bar were really short staffed. I thought it'd be fun to help them out despite

1) not having a grasp at that point with the money

2) not able to understand the some of the accents

3) never having tended bar in my entire life

So this guy comes up to the bar & says 'I'll have a pint of Scotch please'(I'm thinkin whiskey, btw)....my jaw dropped to the floor...I say 'really?!?!? a whole pint?" He looks all confused & is like 'erm yeah'

I pull my friend aside & say 'omG, this guy must be the biggest alchoholic around...he wants a whole pint of scotch! Everyone then starts laughin their backs off.

turns out there's a beer called Scotch.

[Jaylen Brit 0]

god, reading this reminded me of another one - first visit I made with my SO and we met up with friends..

I was telling this amusing annecdote about a pal and kept saying how he got into a situation but was really pissed...the story ended with him falling down an open manhole - because he was so pissed.. anyways the story wasnt generating the laughs it normally does and at the end of it my friend Pete suddenly said 'so he was really pissed..and that made him screw up his face so he didnt see the hole'?

And Im thinking huh?

Then he asked if was more pissed after that,,so I said, rather confused, no..he kinda passed out after that.

Blank looks

'You know..cos of him being pissed - people pass out'

Back and forth fo a while we went with it and it became obvious to both of us there was some communication breakdown.

I hadnt realised that pissed here means pissed OFF in the UK ( I never ran into this one in Calif. lol)..doh.

[anya-D 8]

we Thai people never get our *v* sounds straight...

so a night at a restaurant i was looking at the menu and the waiter came asked what i like.. I "I'd like a ...... and a weggie on a side please.." my husband laugh and the waiter make a very weird face.

^^

[happilyeverafter 0]

I sent my Belgian hubby to the store recently for 'cool whip' to make a pie...he came back with miracle whip...that would not make a good pie...

this is a funny thread

[dalegg 143]

There's no dinner I like better than when my Vietnamese wife makes me pot roast and "smashed" potatoes.

[Satisfaction 1]

Ah AH AH, smashed potato. It's cute actually!!

[Satisfaction 1]

I always liked the British asking for the "loo" (the restrooms) .... The "WC" is also something completely unheard of here ... Something Americans find funny.

Asking for the "men's room" or the "ladies' room" is probably as laughable in the UK?

Why can't evryone just call it the TOILETS so we all know what you mean B)

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

1. my wife confusing terrorist and tourist while we were practicing for our AOS interview. I cleared that up before the interview

2. my wife saying "is your husband coming" to a female co-worker and my co-worker thinking my wife wanted group sex. I really blame my idiot co-worker for that.

There's no dinner I like better than when my Vietnamese wife makes me pot roast and "smashed" potatoes.

They are smashed.

Edited January 30, 2006 by rch99

[Patricia_and_andy 0]

Well Andy and I have been together for almost 6 years now and have traveled back and forth every 3 months in that time, and have never really ran into any major language issues until he immigrated in October.

I live in a college town and we have a lot of students here from other countries... so you would think that local vendors would be used to accents.....

Well we like going to a local bar that is know for all of it's international beers it has on tap.

On our first visit to the bar Andy asked for a Harp Larger... the waitress responded "would you like a towel with that?" I looked at Andy...he looked at me...so I said "excuse me?" and she said "would you like a towel with the hot water?" It then dawned on me that she thought he said Hot water instead of harp larger....LOL

She felt really stupid when I said "he said harp larger"....lol

We have been there several times since and not one waitress has understood him yet.... I let him say it 3 times before I say it for him....lol

Edited January 30, 2006 by Patricia_and_andy

[Sharon 1]

I always thought that one was funny. What is a thong in Canada? Something you wear on the beach too... (but not in the same area )

Ummmm...nope...lol. I'm from canada and we call those sandals "flip-flops" LOL

*ahem* I wear "thongs" all the time (yeah yeah TMI, I know)...even in winter hehehehe

I always liked the British asking for the "loo" (the restrooms) .... The "WC" is also something completely unheard of here ... Something Americans find funny.

Asking for the "men's room" or the "ladies' room" is probably as laughable in the UK?

Why can't evryone just call it the TOILETS so we all know what you mean B)

Try the "head" or 'the crapper"...lol...they're pretty universal.