10 Words That Mean Very Different Things in England and America (Part 2)

10个英美两国意思不同的词（下）

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。

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。

（来源：沪江英语）