5 Potentially Offensive British words | British VS American English

The difference between American and British English is usually quite minimal...spellings differences, a few vocabulary differences but nothing major. HOWEVER, there are a few words that in British English that could cause offence to Americans...In this lesson we explore just 5 of those potentially disastrous differences, including one that I made!! Funny story to follow at the end of this lesson! Enjoy! ;-)
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[@Win1forQuinn]

Loaded is used as both a slang for wealthy people and drunk people in the US. It's not confusing to use it either way, all just depends on the context of the conversation.

[@LeftCoastGator]

I think the term "loaded" is more of generational thing in the U.S. I think through the 1960s it was commonly used to describe someone as being drunk, but with each passing decade it's becoming less and less common, to the point that I can't recall the last time I heard anyone use it in that context. I think it's now much more synonymous with "wealthy."

[@bretmaples]

I guess it depends on the region of the U.S. you go to. To me the use of the term "loaded " depends on the content of the conversation. It could mean either. In the context you presented, I would have assumed you meant rich.

[@susanrunyan909]

As an American I've often heard the word loaded used to mean wealthy. We have much better terms to refer to drunk.

[@robertaschultze3684]

YES, it sounds odd. She's quite condescending.

[@PaulHaesler]

Australian English speaker here. One connected to "loaded" I've brushed up against is "pissed". "He was really pissed" means "really drunk" in Australian (and I believe British?) English - but in the US it means "really annoyed/angry" (e.g. like Australian/British "pissed off").

[@bonniegarrison9741]

Loaded doesn't necessarily mean "drunk" in American it also means rich.

[@boymommommyingfrombtoz6475]

I got to live with my grandparents in Swindon and go to primary school there for year 4. I came back to American with an accents for about 6 months. Upon returning to America, I was in school and asked the teacher for a rubber. She had a very shocked look in her face, and at that age I had no idea why!

[@patriciaharris4971]

I find it better to avoid slang or colloquials when talking to strangers or even friends or colleagues who do not have English as a first language. You can still make mistakes but less of them.

[@amandabeverley7490]

My English teacher told us about a past visit abroad and the hotel clerk at the front desk asking her, "What time should I knock you up?" (something to this effect?) In the US, to "knock someone up" means to impregnate them, so my teacher took a very different meaning away from this inquiry than was intended.

[@fabrice9252]

A personal anecdote in the same vein; At a restaurant in London a friend of mine asked me how you would say 'saignant' and I told him 'bloody'. So he asked for: 'a steak, a bloody steak!' ... You should have seen the head of the waiter lol! Fortunately, I was there to correct and precise that he wanted a rare steak basically. We had a good laugh afterwards. Wonderful lesson. So happy to see you again, Leila! You are resplendent and that's always a pleasure. I hope you're back on track, my loves, and that we'll be seeing more of you from now on. Thank you Bisous à vous deux. Love 😘🌹❤❤

[@LoveEnglishwithLeilaSabrah]

Thanks for the funny story and comment! ❤

[@fabrice9252]

@@LoveEnglishwithLeilaSabrah You are most welcome my lovely (ies)! :-)❤

[@heidihubbell3504]

1. "Dummy" can also refer in America as a store manikin (faux clothes model) or a ventriloquists doll. 2. "Loaded" can also refer to someone who has a lot of money or drunk in a different context. It is all about context.

[@OldtimerOfSweden]

About the confusion about "butt", I recently ordered a nice ashtray from a chinese webshop. The website was (obviously) machine translated from english into my language (swedish) and I found it quite amusing that the product description (probably written in british english originally) made a huge thing about how the sturdy construction and tight-fitting lid kept the smell of the butt away. Who wants a smelly butt anyway? :)

[@alexbonnet6772]

I'm from the southern US and loaded typically has the same slang meaning as in the UK. I have rarely ever heard loaded in reference to an inebriated person. For drunk, we use terms like plastered and smashed. To be more vulgar, shitfaced. I honestly have no idea where loaded would be common slang for drunk. If I see a person driving a Lamborghini, I would easily say, "That dude is loaded!"

[@buddhilalchaudhary4949]

Thank you Leila. I saw your video after long time. You are always entertaining and energetic in teaching English.

[@boymommommyingfrombtoz6475]

Also as to “loaded” we use it to mean very wealthy too, so context would be needed to determine whether it mean very drunk or very wealthy.

[@Christian-girl21]

In American English loaded can also mean wealthy. We use a number of words for drunk. Tanked, trashed, smashed, lit to name a few.

[@robertobradford3968]

Hammered, sloshed, blasted, wasted...

[@NowanInparticular]

For loaded, i generally must look for context. I'm American & have used loaded both ways you used it in the video. I've also used it to refer to carrying too many things at once, or carrying things in general

[@lindenbeck]

A good friend who used to live in the UK for many decades asked for her son where she can find the nappies when she was in New York City.

[@honza8832]

Dear Madam Leila,thank you so much for this so helpful and useful lesson ( especially for non-native speakers!). I would like to be polite in every situation. This is my goal. Warm greetings from the Central Europe! Have a nice,pleasant summer-time and take care.

[@ManishSharma-sk2zh]

Hi, Leila An interesting lesson. Appreciate your efforts 👏👏 Thanks and regards,

[@blue_ranger]

Facebook's bots can pick up on the last one, someone I know got a ban for referring to a club back in the smoking days as, "Disgusting with all the fag butts on the floor" was hate speech according to them. The west country meatballs company also fell foul of the bots. In Australia it's funny to say "my roots are back in the Uk" as root is a crude term for intercourse, so this could be considered that you have many partners back home. A New Zealander could say they want to get screwed [drunk] Americans: "If that happens, I'm gonna get so pissed" [Brits chuckle at the image of them drunkenly falling about]

[@thitsarnaychi3333]

I love this new edit❤

[@summersetmom5285]

I think "wasted" and "sh*tfaced" are a lot more commonly used as slang for drunk than "loaded". I think I've only heard that in a TV show once or something. I sometimes say "off his/her/your/my face". but people have a lot of different colorful ways to refer to someone being drunk so I wouldn't worry too much about using a word that intersects with another word to mean drunk except for maybe "pissed" which tends to confuse Americans

[@roselyncampisi822]

My friend had her baby and asked me do you have a nappy. I thought no I don't take naps as in taking a rest during the day. She laughed and told me no I mean a nappy meaning a diaper!

[@BlueRoad_Vietnguyen]

Thank you for the video Maam 👌

[@ebrihamakonteh5018]

Thanks you so much Leila for the willingness

[@user-britishenglish]

Thank you so much mam,for this indispensable word.

[@NoorKhan-rs1qb]

Your English is perfectly perfect😅.I wanna be fluent in English like you

[@wesleyquintanilla2313]

Loaded for us in the US means that a truck or something is loaded onto a vehicle. There’s also other meanings to just drunk.

[@user-qe5vv2mx2y]

Nice ❤ lesson

[@jauhariakash]

Thanks Leila. U r lovely as usual 😍

[@skabuoy]

Another offensive British word : Democracy. Although I guess that will depend on the political circles you move around in. ;-)

[@robertabray-enhus3198]

“Loaded”in American English,can mean drunk or wealthy here. Some Americans call cigarettes “butts” Butt also means your bottom,here too.

[@jame3shook]

@4:49 American here, all my life, "loaded" has meant rich whereas one slang term for "drunk" is "plowed" as in 'plowed out of their gourd (senseless).'

[@craigcohen3682]

meant also plasterec

[@tonedandmeaty]

This is most interesting. There is one British slang word that is completely unacceptable in the US: c*nt. It only refers to women and is 10 to the 100th degree worse than b!tch. It should never be used, even in anger.

[@summersetmom5285]

yeah I'm not sure why but in the US it's like the worst possible thing you could call a woman and it's rarely if ever used to refer to men. and I have to imagine a man would take it as seriously degrading his masculinity if it ever was used against them. definitely not a casual curse word here

[@pauljordan4452]

​@@summersetmom5285In Scotland and some strata in Australia, it's used casually.

[@lynnhearsavoice]

In Canada, loaded can be used in either situation. Drunk or rich, depending on context. I know you're not discussing Canada.

[@pauljordan4452]

Fifteen years ago I ate in a Boston restaurant, and was asked if I was all set. New England slang.

[@sephypsycologist]

native us english speaker. I use 'loaded' to mean rich too. I've heard it used at least since the 90's to mean wealthy so don't know where the drunk thing came from

[@bernardmansire8642]

HI TEACHER ""THANK YOU

[@neilairwin4342]

The British phrase 'Keep your pecker up' meaning be cheerful in a difficult circumstance and you will get through it, and pecker referring to the nose, has a very different meaning in America, pecker referring to a particular member of the male anatomy! i said this phrase to an American not knowing the American meaning of pecker and confusion, bafflement and embarrassment was the result.

[@user-rw7br1ki4r]

Leila, you are charming as always! And as always, I forget about English! ❤ Greetings from Moscow...

[@youmasajp]

I have heard on multiple occasions Americans use loaded as slang for wealthy. Loaded with money, not with alcohol.

[@fobbitguy]

You can say cigarette butt in the states. In the boston USA area loaded means rich

[@eriknelson5390]

In america, loaded I know as someone being righ. For being drunk, I have heard sauced, blitzt, etc. Loaded can be used for drunk but not usually.

[@craigcohen3682]

also plastered

[@skabuoy]

"If you ask for a large rubber, you're really gonna land yourself in hot water" I thought it was mandatory to brag about anything and everything, when trying to communicate with Americans?

[@NoorKhan-rs1qb]

Thanks Leila greetings from Pakistan😊

[@dennisrayl3485]

I was old when American dirt was new. Some of the words you mention have changed meaning over the years. When I hear someone is loaded, I think wealthy, or, if I'm at a tavern perhaps that person might be loaded or blitzed (drunk). Context is important. When I was a kid, fag did refer to a cigarette. How it was changed into a derogatory term for a homosexual is beyond me. The word 'butt' was rarely spoken years ago (parts of the body in that general region of the body usually had more acceptable words, e.g. hind end, rear, rear, etc.). It is common nowadays to refer to the 'rear end' as butt. It's also used to refer to the unsmoked part of a cigarette. And, let's not forget nappy and napkin or the phrase "knock up." Thoroughly enjoy your videos. Thoroughly enjoy words.

[@fionagregory9147]

Arse is the proper word.

[@israteeg752]

And then there is "Mrs Slocombe's Hilarious Pussy Cat Moments | Are You Being Served?" , which obviously means something entirely different in American Slang.

[@BenjaminRoethig]

F*G and Hooker (Rugy is the third most popular football code by a mile with Gridiron dominant and Association finally becoming more than a club sport. Nobody will know the terminology.) are the big ones to avoid. Dummy when referred to a person is seen more as the more childish version of stupid or idiot with the main use as a stand-in for functional equipment. Loaded uses both meanings. If the parents are wealthy, but not visibly drunk nobody will mix up the meanings.

[@pedrolang8428]

My friend I heard the words but in American English in my TV series on Netflix AND HBO Max: TITANS AND BATMAN

[@RunrigFan]

Loaded means drunk but more commonly means weathly. Wasted, smashed is used more.

[@jodylandry3972]

I would think loaded = wealthy….wasted = intoxicated

[@BionicDance]

Um, we use 'loaded' for being rich in the US as well. And I'm not sure I've ever heard anybody referred to as 'lo0aded' when they're drunk. What part of the US are you looking at for these?

[@chattingee]

I was explaining to my american friend how smoking fags ( cigarettes ) is not healthy.... I did say the word fags and he was just looking at me in shock

[@LoveEnglishwithLeilaSabrah]

😂😂😂😂

[@pauljordan4452]

My homosexual buddy in NYC is Australian born and he'd laugh at this.

[@cowboybill.2433]

A bo’Ol’o’wo’oh!😂😂😂😂

[@fionagregory9147]

Loaded means rich.

[@samiraesmaili7021]

It's not my personal experience but I heard from an American using the word bang, instead of fringe, in a hair salon 😂

[@LoveEnglishwithLeilaSabrah]

That’s a good one!

[@tonedandmeaty]

Almost always for “fringe” Americans say “bangs” in plural. Or hair bangs.

[@javieravilez1438]

HI my dear Teachar ,,, I¨m so happy for lesson,,, love thiis :)

[@dayaautum6983]

In America loaded can mean both rich or intoxicated.

[@RobertHurleyJr]

Im American, My first thought with loaded was money. But im an american interested in British culture particularly music. So i think im mixing my slang.

[@jamesbaxter1667]

I've heard loaded used when takin bout a person with money here in illinois

[@alexguerrero9255]

I ' ve got a question in British English the letter "R" is soundless for fork, so when I was in the States and I asked for a fork the waitress and the People looked at me angrily, cuz they understood "fuck " so I want to know what is the right pronunciation that situation was extremely embarrasing. Please tell me how to pronounce it.

[@Poliss95]

The 'R' in Fork is not silent in the UK.

[@fabrice9252]

Regarding 'hooker' eventually, whether in British or American English, It somewhat remains a matter of position, right? ....😂

[@cw2229]

I have a strange but curious question about the English language I was wondering if you can answer, and maybe even make a video about. It’s about the difference between the words ‘testis’ and ‘testicle’. Generally it is colloquially said ‘testicle’ however I’ve noticed in a more professional setting it is generally said ‘testis’, which I find very odd. A quick look into the etymology of the words show ‘testicle’ was used much more commonly throughout the 1800s, however there was a switch in favour to ‘testis’ after the turn of the century. I have a friend in science who argued with me that ‘testis’ is the proper word, and that ‘testicle’ is incorrect, but I see no evidence for this being true. Another note is that in French (I am bilingual) there is no equivalent to ‘testis’ only ‘testicule’ which obviously sounds more like ‘testicle’. Seeing as though English takes so many words from French, it seems odd that French would be ‘incorrect’ here (if im referring to my science friend). Anyways, I know that’s a lot but for some reason I think about this a lot and have grown to become annoyed at the word ‘testis’. Any info would be greatly appreciated ! Thank you.

[@Joanna-il2ur]

Testicle is the usual word, but medically a doctor would say testis or plural testes. Both are right. We talk of testicular cancer.

[@user-yr5ko9sr4e]

Knocked up in the US means pregnant.....i understand in the UK it means knocking on door

[@sheilae5613]

I've hard pants mean something different in the uk english.

[@Joanna-il2ur]

Pants here means underwear. We call the outerwear trousers.

[@JBlinky67]

This was hilarious 😂 No offense here. And there shouldn't be anywhere.! Especially Fagbutt!

[@Mr2357]

Why is it that we see both of you so less these days?Have you moved elsewhere? Truly miss you.❤

[@katchewy2469]

In america loaded has many meanings including a rich/wealth person. It all depends on the conversation or situation. Wow that burger is loaded! At a bar: do you think he's loaded (Drunk)? At the casino: Wow they just won all that, their loaded! And finally: Make sure your gun is loaded.

[@user-pl3ls4co1q]

American, Native English teacher here....I've never heard anyone say that someone is 'loaded' to be drunk. We often say 'wasted'

[@davidharding9056]

Shall I knock you up tomorrow? (Call on you early ? go out for breakfast perhaps ?) In Canada it means "Shall I get you pregnant !!

[@onichan9710]

Pissed. England = drunk. America = angry.

[@chloemajoue3302]

I feel like loaded means rich, fat, or full never drunk

[@nizik1979]

American here. With the loaded thing I don't generally use loaded to describe either. But I think I've heard it more referring to rich people. Generally for drunk people I use wasted or in a more informal way I'd say ( not sure if you can swear on your channel ) but f'ed up( by f I mean the f word. )

[@alexanderevanska4274]

But I have always used large rubbers 🤣.

[@LoveEnglishwithLeilaSabrah]

😂

[@PurnachandMedisetty]

god, she got like a million controllable muscles in her lips. Mine are binary; no offence, ma'am. I do admire.

[@judgeflems]

👍😆

[@user-cc2ux9ew1r]

Ah ! Look what Maya 😺 dragged in ! How splendid to see you Leila. You look so well as well as more ravishing than the dutchesses Katie Middleton and Rachel Markle put together 😂 Have a bubby dazzler weekend. Ciao for now 😘 Yours very sincerely. Randy Johnson 😉c

[@wesleyquintanilla2313]

Yeah, we get in trouble for using that word here in America you can actually be indicted or if you use it anywhere or an LGBTQ there could be consequences for that word

[@adamjohannesson3434]

7:07 poof?

[@devendrabarthwal9413]

Welcome back teacher. Here in India loaded is a slang for pregnant woman.

[@mitsunori222000]

Nine minutes for this?

[@fionagregory9147]

I would never go over there.

[@rkm823]

this question related to Subordinate Clauses . Mam please pay attention to the question, the example is just to understand the question maybe example is not meaningful Question:----) In dependent clause Has the meaning of "there" been changing? like this sentence which is As:-- There is my friend. Here "THERE" is showing location or place If we write the same Sentence in dependent clause As:- This is the time when "THERE" is my friend. Does the meaning of THERE change to that of a dummy pronoun due to the presence of subordinate clause here? If here "There "word changes to dummy, then it is only for this subordinate clause or it will happen in all subordinate clauses as well.

[@bernardmansire8642]

😁🤣😂😛😁

[@fionagregory9147]

I hate all sport.

[@fabrice9252]

Winston? ...

[@brigidsingleton1596]

This is taking too long. So far I do not think these words are offensive so as I never speak to any Americans, other than to comment upon an American KZbin Reactors video. So these words are hardly likely to be used in my oersonal life..

[@fionagregory9147]

The answer is just don't go to the USA.

[@fionagregory9147]

Anybody knows these. I will never go to USA.

[@fionagregory9147]

Yanks are just thick.