Those moments when you forget what the 'American' word is

Been here over 10 years and it happens more and more when I can't remember the 'American' word or phrase for something.
Today it was what toilet/changing cubicles are called in the USA, and I just  couldn't remember that they are called stalls. I've had moments where I couldn't remember what an aubergine is called in the US.  Forgot the word 'faucet' too. 

Anyone else get these funny moments?   

Yep, all the time. I was speaking to my sister and couldn't remember the phrase for "going after" as in describing two people who were arguing, and one of them was "going after" the other one. Instead I said one of them was "having a go" at the other. "Having a go?" she replied, "Who are you, Madonna? You live in England so you're English now?" 

ALL THE TIME!!!

And I really can never remember if a saying or word is British or American.

ALL THE TIME!!!

And I really can never remember if a saying or word is British or American.

+1

Is it cilantro or coriander? This is one example of many names and spellings where I honestly don't know which is the correct term in England.  And I've been back less than 2 years.

Absolutely.
Bouncy castle. WTF did I used to call it? Takes me ages to recall sometimes. Moon bounce.

Absolutely.
Bouncy castle. WTF did I used to call it? Takes me ages to recall sometimes. Moon bounce.

Bounce house is what we always called it in America, lol. Grew up on the West Coast

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Yesterday, my new manager used the term "pain point."

I've been here 4 years and I've never heard anyone say that in regards to issues they have with something.

And then I couldn't think what we would even call it!

Example: what pain points do you have with your current accountant?

I'm pretty sure in a business setting we would just ask if you had any issues with xyz.

I was floored. They looked at me like I was crazy for not knowing.

Yesterday, my new manager used the term "pain point."

I've been here 4 years and I've never heard anyone say that in regards to issues they have with something.

And then I couldn't think what we would even call it!

Example: what pain points do you have with your current accountant?

I'm pretty sure in a business setting we would just ask if you had any issues with xyz.

I was floored. They looked at me like I was crazy for not knowing.

At my work, we had independent consultants in who were tasked with streamlining our procedures and stuff like that.  They used 'pain point' all the time... it was ridiculous.  People kept asking me if that was an American term... how the hell should I know?  I've not worked in the US for 30 years! 

A wee bit of searching brought this article up on the origin of 'pain point'
https://www.aol.com/2011/03/14/buzzword-of-the-week-pain-pointbuzzword-of-the-week-bringing-t/

Absolutely.
Bouncy castle. WTF did I used to call it? Takes me ages to recall sometimes. Moon bounce.

I remember when we first hit the shores here and were doing some tourism. We were visiting a stately home and the guidebook promised a bouncy castle.  We had an hour long discussion of what that could possibly mean since this was before mobile data. We arrived, parked the car and started asking what part of the castle was  bouncing.

I have been confused by this bouncy castle discussion since it first came up.  I didn't have to wonder what it was, and then I wondered why I didn't wonder what it was.  I have decided I must have heard the Brit term for it from The Mighty Boosh ("Bouncy, bouncy, oh such a good time!  Bouncy, bouncy, shoes all in a line!").  I can't think of any other mention I would've heard prior to moving here.

I never even realised a bouncy castle was a British phrase, but then again, I don't suppose I ever actually thought about them as an adult, before I had nieces and nephews.
My sister and husband (in US) now rent out those things and they call them Bouncers. 

Instead I said one of them was "having a go" at the other. "Having a go?" she replied, "Who are you, Madonna? You live in England so you're English now?" 

This makes me feel like we have the same sister. Her/her husband take the piss out of me all the time asking if I'm really Madonna? hahah

Can you imagine in our childhood having a bouncy castle rented for your birthday?   That certainly wasn't happening in my house. I only ever saw one trampoline until I moved here and every house has one.
Kids these days are spoiled rotten.

Absolutely.
Bouncy castle. WTF did I used to call it? Takes me ages to recall sometimes. Moon bounce.

This is one I didn't even realise I forgot the name for until you've just pointed it out now hahaha


Friend asked me yesterday if Americans (because I'm the token American) understood/used the phrase "Higgeldy Piggledy". I literally burst out laughing as I had forgot about it completely until he said it. I told him we'd understand it for sure but I'm not sure many people still used it as it's quite an old-fashioned saying. But then I couldn't get it out of my head and I kept laughing out loud at it. It made me think of that cartoon show Doug.