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Divided by a Common Language: A Guide to British and American English (Hardcover)

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4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a fascinating collection full of all kinds of surprises." (Minneapolis Star Tribune ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description

Puzzled by signs warning you to mind the gap in the London Underground? Wondering what will be on your plate if you order toad in the hole from the menu of a London café? In Divided by a Common Language, Christopher Davies explains these expressions and discusses the many differences in pronunciation, spelling, and vocabulary between British and American English. He compares the customs, manners, and practical details of daily life in the United Kingdom and the United States, and American readers will enjoy his account of American culture as seen through an Englishman’s eyes. Davies tops it off with an amusing list of expressions that sound innocent enough in one country but make quite the opposite impression in the other. Two comprehensive glossaries help travelers translate from one variety of English to the other, and additional lists explain the distinctive words of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Divided by a Common Language is the ideal travel companion for British visitors to the United States and American visitors to the United Kingdom. It is also the perfect book for Britons interested in American culture and Americans enjoying British novels, movies, and television at home.

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Product Details

Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (September 7, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0618002758
ISBN-13: 978-0618002757
Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds

Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #786,237 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in this category: (What's this?)
#74 in Books > Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > English (American)

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Citations (learn more)

3 books cite this book:

Bum Bags and Fanny Packs : A British-American American-British Dictionary by Jeremy Smith in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
Mastering Team Leadership (Palgrave Master Series) by Roger I. Cartwright on page 65, and Back Matter
Britain by BritRail 2006, 26th: Touring Britain by Train by LaVerne Ferguson-Kosinski in Front Matter

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	53% buy the item featured on this page: Divided by a Common Language: A Guide to British and American English 4.4 out of 5 stars (24)
	15% buy Knickers in a Twist: A Dictionary of British Slang 4.5 out of 5 stars (13) $10.08
	13% buy Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour 4.9 out of 5 stars (24) $12.21
	11% buy Rules, Britannia: An Insider's Guide to Life in the United Kingdom 4.9 out of 5 stars (9) $16.47

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Customer Reviews

24 Reviews

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4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

4.4 out of 5 stars (24 customer reviews)

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33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humor is a gift of language--, March 11, 2002

By	Victoria Tarrani "writer, editor, artist, des... (Betwixt FL and CA, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Divided by a Common Language (Paperback)

This is sheer enjoyment for readers, writers, editors, and crossword puzzle enthusiasts.

Christopher Davies has written a delightful dictionary that is comprised of:
* Two cross language lexicons
. UK-- Stone the crows! US -- Holy cow!
. US -- pumps (high heels); UK -- court shoes
* Cartoons that depict the US or UK interpretations in a humorous manner.
* Term classifications these explanations are lists of words and what they mean to each culture. "If an American asks you to crack a window, he wants you to open it slightly."
* Other variations which includes Canadian, Australian, South African terms and their American equivalent. A chip wagon is a van on the side of the road from which snacks are sold. However many Americans use colloquialisms such as lunch truck and roach coach, which are not listed in this dictionary.
* Words that have different meanings such as S.T.D. (US Sexually Transmitted Diseases and UK Subscriber Truck Dialling.)
* Idioms and expressions such as (UK) feel peckish (US) have the munchies.
* What not to say. "Bugger" is not polite in England; the UK phrase "give me a tinkle" should be replaced with "give me a call."

The chapters headings are: What happened to English in America; Tips for the Tourist; Practical Information; For the Technically Minded; Institutions and Services; Differences in Customs and Etiquette; Driving Terminology; Pronunciation; Spelling; Sundry Terms; What not to Say; Idioms and Expressions; UK-US Lexicon; US - UK Lexicon; Explanations; Notes on Symbols; Some Other Variations of English; Miscellaneous Information.

I love dictionaries. At 194 pages, Davies provides entertainment and information. It is a five star jaunt into words and meanings.

Victoria Tarrani

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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for travellers., December 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Divided by a Common Language (Paperback)

Taking his cue from George Bernard Shaw's, "England and America are two countries divided by a common language", Christopher Davies, of Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia and the U.S., has penned, "Divided By A Common Language" with the subtitle, "A British/American Dictionary Plus, published by Mayflower Press. Divided, there's that word again, into sixteen sections interspersed with humorous illustrations, Davies takes us an historical, as well as practical, journey, even pointing out the differences between American and British plumbing! In the vocabulary portions we find the U.S. word "diaper" translated into "nappy", (familiar to watchers of British TV, ie, telly, shows).The U.S. slang "shut up" becomes "belt up" in the U.K. The examples are numerous and sometimes funny, sometimes surprising. In the restaurant section I was intrigued with "spotted dick" which is a suet or sponge pudding with currants. Also "bubble & squeak" which is a fried mashed potatoes and veggies patty. The handsome red, white and blue cover sports the two countries' flags, tempting you to sample its contents. Do, you won't be disappointed. A must-read for transatlantic travellers plus those who just love words and their derivations. Davies has appeared on many television shows and his book has been showcased on nationwide PBS channels and featured in the British publication Union Jack. Buy it--you'll like it! I await, with anticipation, the sequel.

Iris Forrest, Editor Ageless Press, Sarasota, Florida

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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but not 100% accurate, March 24, 2004

By	E. Milner (London, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Divided by a Common Language (Paperback)

I am an American and I have a very good friend from London. Recently my friend came to visit America, and while he was here I pulled out my copy of this book to see what he thought. While many of the terms were accurate, there were a significant number of entries that were outdated, completely off the mark, or close but not quite applied correctly. I handed my friend a red pen and he proceeded to rewrite some entries. He commented several times that the author "must have never been to England or spoken with actual English people" as there were so many phrases with inaccurate UK definitions or usages.

We did like the pronounciation comparison charts, though, and had a good time saying each of the words and comparing pronounciations. And making fun of the other person where necessary.

Overall I'd say, it's a good reference for an overall picture, but if you plan on incorporating any of the phrases into your vocabulary, have it checked by a native first.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars There is English and then there is English.
I had no idea that we spoke English so differently, and yet we do manage to understand each other!

Published 27 days ago by Mardell

5.0 out of 5 stars Divided by a common language
I'm not a professionl writer so bear with me. The book was just what I was looking for in preparation for my trip to London. Read more

Published 6 months ago by J. P. Benda

5.0 out of 5 stars Some good research
Most books give a good translation between British and American English, but this book goes into a little more detail on the oprigins and reasons for the differences.

Published on March 13, 2007 by Michael A. Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars Mind the Gap!
Don't drop a clanger-make a big faux pas-when traveling in the U.K! This book is a terrific read for anyone planning a trip to Britain. Read more

Published on November 3, 2005 by WriterGirl

5.0 out of 5 stars TOP RATE
This book was surprisingly funny. I expected a dry dictionary for referance and got a very well organized, pithy book that I read cover to cover just for the fun of it. Read more

Published on September 13, 2005 by kateo

4.0 out of 5 stars A good, succint reference
It's not the be all and end all but it's a good quick reference. If you're really serious you should get a different one to supplement this. Read more

Published on October 16, 2004 by Cary_Granite

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Yen, but Yang Required for Balance...
Excellent book, much of it in the style of a dictionary. Offers specific phrases to use as alternatives in both American and British cultures. Read more

Published on July 21, 2004 by JR Peterman

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful reference for American or British
This is a wonderful reference for someone on either side of the pond. Christopher Davies goes very in depth, and gives some helpful advice for those stumped by the not-so-subtle... Read more

Published on June 11, 2004 by A. Kabinoff

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but don't rely on it completely
A lot of the British words listed in this book were very helpful, but some were inaccurate. I showed some of the British words in the book to British people, and they told me... Read more

Published on October 3, 2002

4.0 out of 5 stars Fancy some Spotted Dick off the sweet trolley, Guv?
Above all, DIVIDED BY A COMMON LANGUAGE is a book primarily of lists. So, it's probably not one you'll actually read from cover to cover unless you're an Anglophile like... Read more

Published on February 21, 2002 by Joseph Haschka

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