The same word, different meaning conversation....

In the US you cover the bed with a comforter, but in the UK it's a duvet. Although, a duvet is different, so maybe it doesn't really count.

One that I always screw up is purse.

In the US your purse is your handbag but here it means your wallet.

A purse (sometimes called a 'money purse' in other countries)



A wallet

In the US you cover the bed with a comforter, but in the UK it's a duvet. Although, a duvet is different, so maybe it doesn't really count.

And they call them duvets in the US as well. Same thing.

And they call them duvets in the US as well. Same thing.

Maybe in different parts of the US.  Having been born and primarily raised in Texas, I'd not heard of a duvet until I immigrated.  I still find them both neat and annoying, since my tossy-turny sleeping patterns tend to ball them up within the cover! 

I've never even suspected the word spaz of being derogatory and I majored in English Lit. in the US. 

No offence, but... you also thought it was ok to term working-class people as 'common'.  Both are definitely NOT alright. 

Maybe in different parts of the US.  Having been born and primarily raised in Texas, I'd not heard of a duvet until I immigrated.  I still find them both neat and annoying, since my tossy-turny sleeping patterns tend to ball them up within the cover! 

Really!? Bed, Bath & Beyond sells duvets. At least they did in RI, so I assumed they did throughout the US. Maybe not.

Maybe they do - I couldn't tell you, as I've absolutely never been into that store!

Apparently I'm the only American who was taught, even at a young age, "spaz" is a terribly insulting term.

Really!? Bed, Bath & Beyond sells duvets. At least they did in RI, so I assumed they did throughout the US. Maybe not.

Yes, they do.  As well as every department store, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spastic#Evolution_of_the_term_in_the_United_States

Legs Akimbo, I hope you're not even going near to saying that "It's all right for me to say 'spaz' in England because it just means 'clumsy' back home in Poughkeepsie".

We never used the word spaz but we grew up freely using spastic. This was in MS and abroad as a military brat. I stopped using that term some 30 years ago.

Where's that one from?  I've never heard it.  (Not saying you're wrong, just curious what weirdo US region uses "house juice".    )

Have a look at my post, you'll see it was tongue in cheek.

Oh dear! Is that about the "carriage"? 

Is that an emoticon in your post? 

Legs Akimbo, I hope you're not even going near to saying that "It's all right for me to say 'spaz' in England because it just means 'clumsy' back home in Poughkeepsie".

First of all, I am not from anywhere near Poughkeepsie.  

I've posted that I wouldn't use the term now in the US.  Why would I ever think it's okay to use in the UK?  Why would I even raise the issue in the first place if I didn't recognise the difference in meaning in both countries? 

I am simply pointing out Americans who aren't aware of the derogatory meaning aren't being insensitive or were deprived of proper instruction.  It actually has a different connotation in the US  I am not giving people a green light to use it here.

No offence, but... you also thought it was ok to term working-class people as 'common'.  Both are definitely NOT alright. 

I really do take offense at that.  This is a thread about words having multiple interpretations.  I have rarely come across the British version of the word "common"  and have formed my understanding of its meaning (until this thread) entirely from the reactions and comments of my co-workers.  I think it's unfair to judge my views on class based on my misunderstanding of the British version of a word that I've rarely come across and am still learning the meaning of.

I also think it's unfair to assume my comment on not knowing the word "spaz" was offensive was either "NOT alright" or an indication of my thoughts on disability when the majority of the Americans who posted in this thread also admitted to not ever knowing the word was offensive.  I clearly expressed that I was both glad I hadn't accidentally offended someone by using the term in its American context, and also that I was removing the word entirely from my speaking vocabulary.

I really preferred your first response of correcting my interpretation of a British word rather than your second response of using it as fuel to subsequently disregard my future posts and opinions on an entirely different topic.

I'm sorry if I have caused anyone offense by using the term "working class" but am ultimately thankful to Genau's first post and Tremula's as well, which both corrected the shaky British definition I had formed.  Clarifying that the British word "common" specifically refers to "white trash" and "chavs" is certainly useful to me and will hopefully be useful to others as well.

Yes, they do.  As well as every department store, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, etc.

Huh. I've only ever seen them at Ikea in the US. Every other store I've ever looked at purchasing bed stuff in sold comforters or quilts.  Though I'll admit, I probably wasn't looking too hard.

which both corrected the shaky British definition I had formed.  Clarifying that the British word "common" specifically refers to "white trash" and "chavs" is certainly useful to me and will hopefully be useful to others as well.

this is all that matters!