encounter a language we’re unfamiliar with, it usually feels like a fun puzzle. The unfamiliarity can make certain words sound amusing or even a bit silly. Take me, for example. I know just a few basic Japanese words, and I can’t help but find “oishii” (delicious) and “kawaii” (cute) utterly adorable.
English might be a global lingua franca, but it sounds quite different depending on where you are. Words can come across as childish, funny, or playful simply because of their pronunciation or rhythm. It’s not unusual for non-Americans to have perfectly normal words in their languages that might seem a bit quirky or endearing to us Americans. It’s like we get the meaning but can’t help but chuckle at how it sounds!
Check out these favorite non-American words that sound especially funny to Americans.
Wee
Some people just can’t help but chuckle when they hear a British adult saying they need to “have a wee.” There’s just something amusing about it, maybe because “wee-wee” is that cutesy term parents use with their kids when they want to avoid more scientific bathroom talk.
But it gets even funnier when you realize that “wee” also means little or small. Just think about when someone says, “Let’s buy some wee gifts!” or when a Scottish person offers you to “just take a wee seat.”
Loonies and Toonies
When I first heard Canadians call their $1 and $2 coins “loonies” and “toonies,” I couldn’t help but chuckle—a typical American reaction, right? “Loonies” are named after the loon bird featured on the $1 coin, and “toonies,” the bi-metallic $2 coins, get their name from a mashup of “two” and “loonie.”
One commenter shared a hilarious story about their first trip to a Canadian arcade. The machine only accepted loonies, and they asked the guy in front, “Is that the arcade currency here?” I’m sure the arcade employee had a good laugh.
Zebra Crossing
In America, we don’t say “zebra crossing” when talking about those black and white stripes on the road where pedestrians cross. We just call it a “crosswalk” because that’s exactly what it is. A spot where you walk across the street.
But zebra crossing has a certain charm to it. It’s so literal and almost feels like a fun analogy you’d use to teach kids in kindergarten about safely crossing the road. It’s like, “See those stripes? Just like a zebra! Now, that’s where you cross.” Simple, visual, and fun!
Washing-up Liquid
What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you hear “washing-up liquid”? If you’re thinking of laundry detergent, you’re not alone—but you’d be wrong! In the UK, this slightly odd-sounding term actually refers to dish soap.
Here’s a fun twist: can you guess the most well-known, best-selling, and best-loved dish soap brand in the UK? Drumroll, please… It’s Fairy Liquid! With a name like that, it sounds like something straight out of a storybook, right?
Fizzy
In many English-speaking countries like the UK, Australia, and Canada, the word “fizzy” is the go-to term for anything with that bubbly, carbonated goodness. Meanwhile, we call it soda, pop, or even coke here in the US.
But there’s something so lighthearted and playful about the word “fizzy.” It instantly brings to mind that classic scene from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory: “You stole FIZZY lifting drinks! You bumped into the ceiling, which now has to be washed and sterilized, so you get nothing! You lose! Good day, sir!” Those lines still crack me up every time!
Brekkie
I once read that Australians love to shorten words because anything with more than two syllables is too long. So, an electrician becomes a “sparky,” a tradesperson is a “tradie,” and breakfast? Well, that’s “brekkie.”
Ever since I heard an Australian use this term, I’ve adopted it myself. Asking, “What’s for brekkie?” has its charm. It’s short, sweet, and captures that laid-back, friendly vibe that Aussies are famous for.
Mummy and Daddy
Do you sometimes think it’s odd that kids start calling their parents one thing and then switch it up as they get older? Because I do! But that’s a story for another day. A lot of us grew up saying “Mommy” and “Daddy,” and by the time high school rolled around, it shifted to “Mom” and “Dad,” and that’s where it stuck.
Maybe that’s why some Americans find it childish when they hear someone, especially an adult, calling their parents “Mummy” and “Daddy.” But honestly, who cares? Call your mom and dad whatever you want!
Maccas
In Australia and New Zealand, McDonald’s goes by the nickname “Maccas.” So, when Aussies talk about doing a “Maccas run,” they’re not actually running—they’re offering to drive over to McDonald’s and pick up some tasty, greasy food, usually after a late night out. If I heard someone say, “I’m going to do a Maccas run; want me to grab you something?” for the first time, it would confuse me for sure. The only nicknames I’ve heard for the fast food joint in the US are “Mickey D’s” and “the Golden Arches.”
Ice Lolly
The first time I heard an adult say “ice lolly,” I definitely imagined an old-timey child with a giant, circular lollypop. In Britain, many people call a popsicle by this name without the faintest bit of sarcasm. I can think of quite a few grown men in the US who would be embarrassed to use this term.
And speaking of lollies, in British slang, they also call a crossing guard a “lollipop man” because of that big, round stop sign they carry.
Swimming Costume
At first, hearing someone say, “You’ll need to pack some sun cream and your swimming costume for the beach” might make you giggle. It kind of feels like a kid asking for a “fancy dress” for the pool, doesn’t it? It’s like calling a t-shirt a “gala gown” or a backpack a “traveling trunk.”
But then again, when I really think about it, “swimsuit,” “bathing suit,” or even “swim trunks” all sound pretty silly in their own way.
Source: Reddit
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