As an American living in Britain, it is important to understand that there are MANY English words that we Americans do not know! Many will be exceedingly funny to us. In any case, it is helpful to understand how to order properly in the U.K.
Let’s begin with some common food and drink-related words:
Banger – This is a British sausage, and it is usually much bigger than an American version. It is served for dinner with fried onions and gravy, in batter as toad in the hole or for breakfast with eggs, back bacon, mushrooms, black pudding (a type of fried blood sausage), fried potatoes, grilled tomatoes, toast and marmalade. There are also many regional sausages that combine different meats, herbs and spices. And don’t forget good old Bangers and Mash (sausages and mashed potatoes with gravy, mmmm!). The vegetarian versions of Bangers and Mash are not bad, either!
Beer – Normally called bitter, this is the most popular alcoholic beverage of the UK male drinking population. It is served in pints at just under room temperature (Real Ales, however, are served at room temperature). Real Ales are non-carbonated beers made from hops and barley. Lager is sort of what you call beer in the U.S. This is much stronger than American beer and drunk from pint glasses rather than bottles. It is served cold, but not that cold. Cider (an alcoholic drink made from apples since the time of the Roman invasion) is served cold, and a pint of this is terrific when it’s hot outside (just watch the incredibly high alcohol content!).
Bickie – Short for biscuit. Usually said by/to kids and means cookie. (By the way, biscuit can also mean cracker, for instance you could see “biscuits for cheese” in the supermarkets, which are assortments of crackers.)
Bubble and Squeak – An old English breakfast dish made from frying up leftover greens and potato. Yum!
Buck’s fizz – champagne and orange juice (mimosa).
Chips – Fries. Fish and chips is still a favorite throughout Britain. They still taste best hot from the bag, liberally dosed in salt and malt vinegar.
Clotted cream – This cream looks a bit scary at first. It is yellow and crusty on top. It is thicker than single cream or double cream and totally delicious. It is served in blobs with cakes or spread on scones.
Cornish pasty – a meat pie for on-the-go. Many outlets (especially in train stations) sell what they call “pastys” but they are cheap imitations. A real pasty from Cornwall is a pastry in the shape of a half circle, filled with spiced meat and potatoes.
Cream Tea – You must try this while you are in England – especially if you visit any rural little villages. A real cream tea consists of a pot of tea, some fresh warm scones that you spread with homemade strawberry jam and top with thick, yellow, clotted cream. Delicious!
Doner – Short for a doner kebab. The closest thing in the US is a gyro. Kebabs in England, whether shish (meat on a skewer) or a doner (lamb on vertical spit), are served in split pitta bread with salad. The doner is generally sold after 11pm in England to young people, after the pubs close and after 8 or so pints of lager. Usually served with extra hot fresh chilli sauce and on greaseproof paper so the oil is funnelled back onto your trousers, it is usually enjoyed standing up.
Fairy cake – This is a cupcake.
Herb – Herb. The Brits pronounce the “H”.
Jacket potato – Baked potato in America. A very typical cheap lunch food at English cafes!
Lemonade – Lemonade in England is a clear, sparkling, lemon-flavored drink. Note: Seven-up and Sprite are both considered lemonade in England.
Mushy peas – An English tradition. They are often served with fish and chips, or on their own with mint sauce.
Off Licence – Beer, wine and spirits are sold in supermarkets in England, though the off licence still thrives. It is the place that you go to buy alcohol or snacks in the same way that you would from a liquor store or convenience store in the US.
Pie – Unless specified otherwise, a pie would default to a meat pie with a pastry lid. Of course, there are still apple pies and so on. Pies always have lids. No lid – no pie! That’s called a tart.
Pint – You would ask your mates if they wanted to come to the pub for a pint. In this instance it means any form of beer or cider that could be purchased in quantities of one pint. The British pint is bigger than the pint in the US. 20oz rather than 16oz, demonstrating that not everything is bigger in Texas!
Porridge – Cooked oatmeal that you would have for breakfast.
Pudding – Dessert of any type is called pudding. Sometimes this is also called afters.
Rasher – You always a couple of back rashers with a proper English breakfast. You would call them slices of bacon.
Rump steak – This is what Ameicans call sirloin steak. And if that isn’t confusing enough – their sirloin steak is an American porterhouse!
Scotch egg – These are hard-boiled eggs surrounded in a half-inch layer of sausage meat and coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried. Usually you eat them cold at picnics.
Shepherd’s pie – Originally made from leftovers, this is minced lamb, cooked with some veggies and topped with mashed potato (sometimes with cheese) on top and grilled till brown. Not to be confused with Cottage pie which is almost the same, but with minced beef.
Spotted dick – A kind of pudding with dried fruit. It is excellent with custard.
(This is spotted dick. Not scary at all, is it??)
Starter – This is the appetizer on a menu.
Sweets – Either another word for dessert or also the candies you give to kids.
Take-away – This word has several meanings. First it is the place that only sells food to take out. You might go to the take-away for an Indian or Chinese. If you got a take-away for dinner it would mean the meal itself. Also, if you go to a restaurant (or a Starbucks) you might be asked if you want to “eat in or take away” instead of (in the U.S.) “here or to go?” If you plan to sit at a table you want to say “eat in” (or “drink in” at a cafe) as they charge you extra for a real mug/dishes and they clear your table for you.
White – When someone in the UK asks you how you take your tea or coffee you should say “black”, “white without” or “white with”. White means with milk and the “with” and “without” bit refers to the sugar. For example, if you want coffee with cream and one sugar you say “coffee, white with one.”
Yorkshire pudding – Not a pudding/dessert. It is a light batter that rises when it is cooked. The middle can be filled with anything from sausages and beans, to soup or stew. Traditionally, these are served with roast beef, as an accompaniment with horseradish sauce and gravy, roast potatoes and veggies. Sometimes called pop-overs in some parts of the US.
Summer School in London 