7 Things Not To Say in England if You're American

We've all committed an embarrassing faux pas or two. If you're an American visiting England, you'll want to watch this video to find out how to avoid a faux pas of your own. Join your favo(u)rite English host Laurence Brown as he outlines 7 things not to say in England if you're American.

And since you’ve read this far, you’re almost certainly prepared to stalk me on social media. I am okay with this. Just don’t send me any more of those Kate and William plate sets (I’m looking at you, PrinceWilliamOfficial).

[jimgreen]

The way I'm familiar with 'rim shot' is as a basketball term--when a shot bounces off the rim.

[andrewsmith]

Petting means feeling someone, not kissing them - hence 'heavy petting'.

[Metal_Auditor]

My dad had a friend who once, during a trip to England, introduced himself to the guy sitting next to him in the pub by saying, "Hi. I'm Randy." It didn't go well for him.

[IFH]

I learned what a "Fanny" was in London while visiting by BF at his parents' house. It was a tall, narrow house, and they used all 4 floors of it. Being American, I was not used to climbing so many stairs all the time and got sore butt cheeks. His parents must have been so proud when I announced that I had a sore fanny after we'd been separated for so many months....

[christystewart]

Back in the 90s I bought a book about the evolution of the English language by an American guy who had lived for quite some time in Britain. He advised us Americans not to say “I’m stuffed” after eating too much. He didn’t explain what it meant but did explain the silence that fell over the dinner table.

[josephineroe]

I have a problem with these types of videos. Once I know what I shouldn't say in England, I am compelled to say these things as often as possible.

[TheIdeabaker]

First year of teaching abroad, I made the mistake of telling my NZ high school sporting team that I was rooting for them in an upcoming competition. Ten years later, their unfettered and uproarious laughter still hurts. ☺️

[hawkin]

When I was visiting England as a teenager I saw a kid around my age wearing slacks with a pattern just like your shirt in this video. I yelled out to him (across the street) "I like your pants!" My English friends were HORRIFIED, but the kid laughed and came over. He said "Oy. These are trousers" then pulled down the waistband exposing a bit of underwear, "THESE are pants." Nearly 17 years have passed and I still giggle every time I see someone wearing plaid "trousers."

[davidtauriainen]

As a percussionist, I feel compelled to tell you that a rim shot is when a drummer hits the drum head and rim of the drum simultaneously with the same stick, resulting in a very loud drum sound. The most obvious example of which serves as a mark between sections in the big band song "In The Mood".

[miriamallison]

A British friend innocently asked her host at the house she was visiting (in the US) to "knock her up" in the morning. While this only means knocking on the door to wake up a person on the English side of the pond, this phrase has a decidedly different meaning over here in America.

[spencerkieft]

You know we have "petting zoos, " right? I bet that sounds hilarious to brits the first time they hear it

[theoneaboveall]

An old manager of mine was fresh from Canada, she got a round of drinks in aaaand came to the table boasting about being a 'professional double fister'... We never let her live it down.

[jaimemicelotti]

I'm laughing at the petting & stroking the dog phrases. To me stroking sounds more sexual. Petting is just petting, touching etc. Now all these words sound sexual when you think about it. All I can say is that the conversations must get pretty interesting.

[jankreps]

I laughed so hard!! Perhaps the best way to tour England is in silence.

[MichelleVasquez]

"Completely and utterly a little bit miffed!"

[lucyroth]

One of my all time favorite British expressions, that my friend from across the pond first introduced to me, was the phrase, "I'll knock you up, in the morning." LOL This phrase does not mean the same thing when used in America! LOL

[danielkent]

Hahahahaha about stroking! That reminds me of the scene in Harry Potter when Ron told Neville to stroke, as in pet, the monster book - a lot of people in that U.S. theater giggled and some said

[Emanresuadeen]

In the US “petting” did mean making out and over clothes touching, circa mid 20th century. And there was also “heavy petting” and “petting parties”.

[flo-ritacampbell]

Laurence, you crack me up. I think you're real fun, informative, and just a great way to bring a smile to anyone's face. Thanks. Keep up the good work.

[Bushwhacker-soyk]

“Completely and utterly a little bit miffed” is a very British emotion.