British > American Glossary | K
Smoothing transatlantic communication
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P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | Americanisms |
 British
term or expression |
 American
equivalent, or explanation |
|---|---|
| kedgeree | breakfast dish made of fish, rice and eggs |
| Keep your pecker up! | keep cheerful and smiling, no matter what |
|
kennel (the small wooden shelter for your dog to sleep in outside) |
doghouse |
| kennels
(the place where you leave your dog to be cared for while you are away) |
kennel |
| kerb | curb |
| kerfuffle [colloq.] | palaver, unnecessary fuss or disturbance |
| kettle | teakettle, kettle |
| kick the bucket [slang] (pass away) | kick in, kick off, check out, conk out, pop off [slang] |
| kick-off [colloq.] (as in: 'For a kick-off, let's eat!') | start |
| killick [nautical slang] | leading seaman |
| kindergarten | preschool |
| kip [colloq.] | sack time [colloq.], sleep, nap |
| kipper | breakfast herring first treated with salt, then smoked |
| kirby grip (Kirbigrip™) | a kind of sprung hairgrip |
| kissagram, kissogram | novelty greetings message delivered with a kiss |
| kit | gear or clothing for sporting activities,
etc; electronic equipment or gadgetry |
| kitchen bench | kitchen counter |
| kitchen range | old-style solid-fuel stove kept hot all day long |
| knackered [slang] | exhausted, worn out |
| knees-up [colloq.] | a lively party |
| knickerbockers | knickers |
| knickers (ladies' underwear) | panties |
| knob [slang] (penis) | pecker [slang] |
| knock back [colloq.] | drink something especially quickly; disconcert |
| knock off [colloq.] (as in 'he knocks off at six') | end a work shift |
| knock-on effect | indirect or secondary effect |
| knock someone off [slang] (make sexual conquest) | get laid [slang] |
| knock spots off | defeat easily |
| knock up [colloq.] | make or
arrange something hastily; wake someone up by knocking on their door; practice a ball game before formal play begins; score runs rapidly (in cricket) |
| knockers [slang] (female breasts) | hooters, jugs [both slang], boobs [colloq.] |
| knocking shop [slang] | brothel |
| know your onions [colloq.] | know your stuff, know what you're talking about |
| knuckle-duster | brass knuckles |
