Different Meanings for Words

[Ereine]

Making blanket statements about continents based on a few countries doesn't really seem wise (unless you're talking about Australia I suppose). Sweden isn't the official language of Europe even though it is in two countries, all all European countries don't border the Mediterranian even though many do and not all European countries use the Euro or are part of EU. I can't really think of any statements where it would make sense.

My English is probably rather strange. We were taught British English at school but most of the English I'm exposed to is American which makes for confused spelling. Most of the time I just use whatever my spell check tells me to. 

[RainhaDoTexugo]

What is an American Pick-up truck?  In Australia a pick-up truck is used for towing other vehicles.

Cab up front, with a cargo area in the back
http://www.flickr.com/photos/benchilada/4098324596/
My BIL's pick up has more passenger room than my sister's 4 door car.

Also, the truck that tows vehicles is called a tow truck

[RainhaDoTexugo]

RE blanket statements:

I do think it's more accurate to specify a country, in general, but non-Americans make blanket statements about America all the time.  "X is popular in America," "Americans hate Y," etc, when what they really mean is "People in New York City, LA, and Chicago like X," or " Americans in small towns in the northeast of America hate Y."  It's a huge country, and while we may not have the history that Europe has (though, I would say my family carried some of that history with them when immigrating from Lithuania) , we certainly have a wide variety of different cultures.  Sometimes, extreme specificity is important, and sometimes you get the idea and let it go because it's unreasonable to expect people across the world to realize that even though Chicago is in Illinois, it's like a whole other world once you get a couple hours outside of the city.

[Ereine]

RE blanket statements:

I do think it's more accurate to specify a country, in general, but non-Americans make blanket statements about America all the time.  "X is popular in America," "Americans hate Y," etc, when what they really mean is "People in New York City, LA, and Chicago like X," or " Americans in small towns in the northeast of America hate Y."  It's a huge country, and while we may not have the history that Europe has (though, I would say my family carried some of that history with them when immigrating from Lithuania) , we certainly have a wide variety of different cultures.  Sometimes, extreme specificity is important, and sometimes you get the idea and let it go because it's unreasonable to expect people across the world to realize that even though Chicago is in Illinois, it's like a whole other world once you get a couple hours outside of the city.

Obviously it goes the other way too, I just couldn't think of any examples outside Europe

[Wonderflonium]

You know, I don't see as much treating Europe as one giant country where I am. However, I have noticed that in US television shows, they often talk about "Africa" as though it were a country. Drives. Me. NUTS.

[Slartibartfast]

I think part of the "Europe is like one big country" thing is because the entirety of Europe could fit within the continental US.  Even the largest country in Europe, France, is smaller than the two largest US states.  (The smallest is smaller than Washington DC.)  I know it astounds some Europeans that most Americans don't have passports - but many of us live 2+ days' drive from the nearest international border!  That leaves a lot of country to visit without ever leaving the US.

[hobish]

Jumper.

In the UK it describes the garment we, in the US, would call a 'pull-over sweater'. 

Here, a 'jumper' is a very different sort of garment.  It's a loose, sleeveless dress usually made of a heavy fabric such as wool or corduroy.  The jumper is always worn over a turtleneck or a long sleeved blouse.  When made of velvet, the jumper is the dress of choice for young girls at winter holiday parties.  It's reasonably warm.  It's more comfortable than a standard party dress.  It also looks much neater than a skirt and blouse. 

Because it's so practical, I have no doubt that what we call a jumper is often used in the UK.  However, I have no idea what it is called there.

That has got to be a regional thing within the US, as well. I would never call those a jumper. To me a jumper is something a little more like overalls, except with sleeves, not just straps.

[Wonderflonium]

Interesting! When I hear jumper, I think of these:



I wore one every school day for 7 years. I was so glad to get to 8th grade and switch to skirts!

[hobish]

USians would say diapers, not nappies (although I would know what you meant).

I would use nappies but not USians. I don't know if that is a Europeanism that took off or what, but i don't know anyone who would ever say it except for poking fun, like saying 'Murican instead of American.

It is never gladwrap even when it is Gladwrap. It is plastic wrap.

[RainhaDoTexugo]

Hobish, I would call what you described a jumpsuit, most likely.  In some cases, usually if they're worn as a work uniform instead of a fashion statement, I would say overalls. 

[gramma dishes]

Ah yes!  I'd almost forgotten about the jumpsuit!  I had two.  I probably wore each of them about 10 times and then gave them to charity. 

You didn't want to put one of those things on unless you were beyond confident that you wouldn't need to use the bathroom until you could get home and change clothes.  Doing so required unbuttoning the entire front, undoing the belt,  lowering the blouse part to around your knees right along with the pants while trying to keep the whole shebang off the restroom floor or falling into the toilet.  Oh, so not fun!! 

A hideous and cruel idea.  But they did look cute as long as you didn't have to pee!  Sadly, I am President of the Teeny Weeny Bladder Club.

[Betelnut]

USians would say diapers, not nappies (although I would know what you meant).

I would use nappies but not USians. I don't know if that is a Europeanism that took off or what, but i don't know anyone who would ever say it except for poking fun, like saying 'Murican instead of American.

I'm just using "USAian" to make sure people know that I mean people from the United States.  "American" is a broader term.

[WhiteTigerCub]

USians would say diapers, not nappies (although I would know what you meant).

I would use nappies but not USians. I don't know if that is a Europeanism that took off or what, but i don't know anyone who would ever say it except for poking fun, like saying 'Murican instead of American.

I'm just using "USAian" to make sure people know that I mean people from the United States.  "American" is a broader term.

I'm from the US but have never heard of us referred to as USian until I saw on this site. It's American or "those from the US"  then again I'm centered in the Southwest US so it may be a regional difference.

et: fix quotes

[RainhaDoTexugo]

I've only seen USian here, too.  It's an awkward phrase.  I understand the arguments behind it, but I disagree with them.  It seems odd that the rights of people to refer to themselves generically as being residents of one of two large continents outweighs our rights as Americans to refer to our country by name.  There's nothing wrong with using North America or South America.  I don't see Spaniards (random example) saying "I live on the landmass that encompasses Europe and Asia."  There's no context for it - and if there is, "the Americas" works just fine.

[Ferrets]

That has got to be a regional thing within the US, as well. I would never call those a jumper. To me a jumper is something a little more like overalls, except with sleeves, not just straps.

Hobish, I would call what you described a jumpsuit, most likely.  In some cases, usually if they're worn as a work uniform instead of a fashion statement, I would say overalls. 

I'd say jumpsuit/overalls for the sleeved garments in those circumstances too.

The sleevelss bib-and-brace overalls hobish mentioned in passing, we call dungarees. (I just checked to see if the etymology of "dungarees" was yet another borrowing of an Indian word in the time of the British charging off to play with our shiny new Build Your VERY OWN Empire! Continental Expansion Pack British Empire days; and sure enough, it is.)