Two countries divided by a common language.

[Vimto]

As our colonial are never satisfied with what we gave them, they inevitably re-invent nouns for everyday objects. This may make the simplest tasks more interesting but it does cause for some mighty confusion at times. I was recently reading some household tips which originated in the U.S. and need some help in understanding whether I have the gyst of it all. Would some kind American or equally kind person versed in their ways help please.

1. Is cornmeal the same as cornflour?
2. Is a "chalkboard eraser" similar to a "blackboard duster"?
3. Is "ground beef" the same as "mince-meat"?
4. What is a "Q tip"? Maybe a cotton bud?
5. Where in Britain can I purchase "Coco ribe" which is a coconut liqueur?

Whilst awaiting some replies, I'll just pop outside for a quick fag!

[HowardKennitby]

-
yes
yes
yes
-

[missnemesis]

No
Yes
Yes
Yes
?

[craft1948]

5 ?

http://www.mysupermar...ut_Liqueur_700ml.html

[Tilly2]

Is a sidewalk the same as pavement and is an elevator the same as a lift?

[craft1948]

Ignore my answer as I see Coco Ribe is 42 percent proof.

[hc4361]

What's a blackboard duster? It's a rubber

[hc4361]

Mincemeat is fruit in pie. Minced beef is ground beef.

[venator]

Going a bomb isn;t good in the US

[Answerprancer]

afaik Coco ribe is v similar to Malibu which is freely available here.

[Hawkwalk]

fanny pack and Bum are my favourite American words

[zebo]

I think corn starch is corn flour.

[jno]

"I'm mad about my flat" - an Englishman likes his apartment, an American's annoyed about a puncture

[SpikeyBush]

First time in Ireland I asked for a pack of drawing pins they looked at me as if I had two heads. Thumb tacks they call them, as do the Americans. But then talking to a Dublin taxi-driver with a real thick accent you can pick up the similarity between that and a thick New York accent. That's the Irish influence from the mass emigration to the US.

[ABerrant]

"...they inevitably re-invent nouns for everyday objects."

Not true for the most part - Americans simply continued to use the 17th and 18th Century words imported from England while the English allowed the language to evolve.

Diaper, attorney, faucet, etc. were good English words in common usage that we replaced with nappy, solicitor/barrister, tap...