You know what they say – opposites attract!
New York City-based influencer Ella McFadin has been dating her British boyfriend, James, for around one year, and over time she has been jotting down which phrases the two say differently.
In a TikTok video, which has gained over 1 million views since being posted, the American-British couple revealed some of the words they differ on – and a few may surprise you.
“Since James and I have been dating, I have kept a notes list on my phone of the things we say differently as an American and an English lad,” the 25-year-old began in the clip.
Her boyfriend, who sat next to her, also prefaced the video by explaining, “If you’re a girl speaking to an English guy, do not use this as a pickup line of any way.”
The first expression the couple doesn’t see eye-to-eye on is in regards to how they introduce people.
McFadin explained that when she introduces someone, she will say, for example, that “Her name is Ashley,” whereas James will say, “He’s called.”
The next words they differed on were what they used to refer to a trunk of a car and the sidewalk – James calls a trunk “the boot of the car” and says that a sidewalk is called “pavement.”
Then came the great vacuum debate, which James says is called a “Hoover.”
“We call it vacuum as well, a Hoover might just be me,” James admitted, explaining that he calls it that because it’s the name of a popular household appliance brand.
McFadin also revealed that when they go skiing, she calls a ski lift a “gondola,” while James say that it’s a “bubble.” And, according to him, an elevator is really a “lift.”
Next, they went over the differences in what they call fruits and vegetables – cilantro is referred to as coriander, eggplant is aubergine, green onion is called spring onion, and arugula is known as “rocket” in England.
Another phrase that James says differently that was shocking for McFadin was what he calls tank tops.
“He would call, like a wifebeater, he would call that a vest,” McFadin explained. “It’s just not a vest.”
Finally, according to James, suspenders are called braces, gas is called petrol, sneakers are trainers, and while his girlfriend says, “I’m going to take a shower,” he says, “I’m going to have a shower.”
In the comments section of the clip, many people seemed to get a kick out of hearing the various phrases – and some could even relate.
“It’s English so he is right,” one user cracked.
Another admitted, “As a Brit in America, this is my life.”
Someone else typed, “My fiancé is Aussie and he says all of these too ???????? boot of the car, petrol, the air con lol.”
“As a non native English-speaker I had so many AHA moments watching this releasing many of these things are the same just different names for it,” one user claimed.
The Post reached out to McFadin for further comment.