English is English, right? Not exactly. Even though Americans share the same language as those in Great Britain, words that commonly mean one thing here can mean something completely different across the pond—and vice-versa. Avoid potential embarrassment by getting a handle on these tricky linguistic twists.

英语就是一成不变的吗？当然不是。即使美国人与英国人同用英语，但有些词在美国表达的意思和在英国完全不同，反之亦然。掌握了这些恼人的释义变化，我们才能避免可能出现的尴尬。

Bird

In the United States a bird is, well, an animal with feathers that tweets. In England, however, a bird is often used to describe a young female, similar to the way young women are referred to as “chicks” in the America . Be wary of calling your boss’s daughter a bird, however; some Britons consider the term to be derogatory.

在美国，bird是一种带有羽毛、会鸣叫的动物。然而在英国，bird通常被用来形容年轻的女性，类似于美国称年轻女性为“chicks”。不过，要警惕将老板的女儿称呼为“bird”，因为一些英国人认为这个词是贬义的。

Geezer

Here in America the word “geezer” is a derogatory term often paired with “old” to describe an elderly (and often eccentric) old man. In Great Britain, the word “geezer” is a slang term given to a regular man, and is often used the same way Americans refer to young guys as “dudes.”

在美国，“geezer”是一个贬义词，经常与“old”配在一起，用来形容一位年迈的（通常是古怪的）老人。而在英国，“geezer”这个词是描述普通人的俚语，类似于美国人称年轻人为“dudes”。

Trainer

Saying you need a new trainer in America means something quite different than it does in England. Here, trainers are fitness experts who can help you work out. Abroad, trainers are just another name for sneakers, or tennis shoes.

你在美国和英国说你需要一个新的“trainer”，意思完全不同。在美国，“trainers”是能帮助你锻炼的健身专家。而在英国， “trainers ”只是运动鞋或网球鞋的另一种说法。

Jumper

In the America , the term “jumper” typically involves a call to 911, as it can refer to a person who’s attempting to jump from a bridge or building. The meaning could not be more different in Great Britain, where “jumper” is the name given to a knitted top, or, as it’s called in America: a sweater.

在美国，“jumper”通常会出现在和911的对话中，一般指试图从桥上或楼房上跳楼的人。而在英国，这个词的意思完全不同，“jumper”是指针织毛衫，即美式英语里的 “sweater ”。

Rubber

While the word “rubber” in America is a slang term for a condom, in England, it has a much more innocent connotation: It’s simply the name given to a pencil eraser.

美国“rubber”这个词是安全套的俚语。但在英格兰，它有一个更纯洁的含义：它仅仅只是铅笔橡皮擦的名字。

Casket

In America, a casket, also called a coffin, obviously has a sad and sullen connotation. In Great Britain, on the other hand, a casket has a completely different meaning with a pleasant connotation: It refers to a small, often antique, box used to store jewelry or trinkets.

在美国，“casket”，也被称为“coffin”（棺材），显然有一种悲伤难过的感觉。但在英国，“casket”有完全不同的可爱的含义，它指的是用于存放珠宝或小饰品的小型且古老的盒子。

Comforter

Informing a Londoner that you like to snuggle with your comforter every night may result in some strange looks, unless you’re a baby. In the U.S., a comforter is a quilted bedspread, but in England, a comforter is a term used to describe a baby’s pacifier.

如果你告诉伦敦人每晚你喜欢蜷在“comforter”里，可能会让别人感到奇怪，除非你是个小宝宝。在美国， “comforter ”是一种绗缝床罩，但在英国， “comforter ”指婴儿奶嘴。

Pants

Telling a British person you got your pants dirty could elicit some raised eyebrows. In America, of course, pants are clothing that covers you from your waist to your ankles. However, in England, the term “pants” is another word for “underwear.”

如果你告诉英国人你的“pants”很脏，可能会招来奇怪的眼神。这是因为，在美国，“pants”是从腰部覆盖到脚踝的裤子。然而，在英国，“pants”一词是“underwear”（内裤）的同义词。

Boot

If a Londoner tells you he locked something in his boot, you may look at him quizzically. Yet, don’t be alarmed: While in America a boot is a type of footwear, in England, the term is used to refer to a trunk of a car.

如果伦敦人告诉你他把东西锁在“boot”里，你可能会疑惑地看着他。但是不要惊讶，因为在美国， “boot ”是一种鞋类，而在英国，这个词是指汽车的后备箱。

Braces

In one country, they’re used to straighten your teeth, but in the other, they’re used to hold up your pants. In America, the word “braces” refer to orthodontia, but in Great Britain, it refers to suspenders.

在一个国家，它用来矫正你的牙齿，但在另一个国家，它用来拉住你的裤子。在美国，“braces”一词指畸齿矫正，但在英国，它指的是背带。