UK/US words with different meanings.
Sep. 9th, 2011 08:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
silver_sunThere must be lots of UK words that have different meanings and or connotations in the US.
I know that fanny, jumper, chips, vest, pants and cot are just a few of them.
I can now add 'uppity' to the list.
Here in the UK (or at least the little bit of the UK I'm from) uppity means something along the lines of stuck up, obnoxiously snooty, somebody who is being an arrogant know it all. I have also heard it used to mean grumpy. Historic it seems to have come from 'uppish'in the 1600's meaning something overly lavish, and by the 1700's conciieted.
Today I've found out that in the US, particularly (from what I've seen on the net - not always the most reliable source of information admittedly) in the more southern states, that uppity has negative racial connotations.
So if I ever start to write for an American based fandom (not terribly likely) I know not to use that word.
I know that fanny, jumper, chips, vest, pants and cot are just a few of them.
I can now add 'uppity' to the list.
Here in the UK (or at least the little bit of the UK I'm from) uppity means something along the lines of stuck up, obnoxiously snooty, somebody who is being an arrogant know it all. I have also heard it used to mean grumpy. Historic it seems to have come from 'uppish'in the 1600's meaning something overly lavish, and by the 1700's conciieted.
Today I've found out that in the US, particularly (from what I've seen on the net - not always the most reliable source of information admittedly) in the more southern states, that uppity has negative racial connotations.
So if I ever start to write for an American based fandom (not terribly likely) I know not to use that word.