we really are speaking two different languages

Its always an odd sensation when you learn something simple you had absolutely no idea about. Its odd that even though two individuals are speaking the same language, they can be saying completely different things. Its not even as simple of a difference as metric vs. standard, even though metric is the standard in most places in the world. Its a difference of meaning of the same terms. It truly is the small things that make the same language so very different. We all know the common ones; bonnet, biscuit, barrister and boot. But what about the others. What about the differences that can cause offence.

two versions of the "V sign" left photo means "screw you"

The most commonly known fighting words are the "V sign," or as the Americans call it thanks to its popularization during Anti-Vietnam protests, the "peace sign." It doesn't matter where one is in the States it always means "victory" or "peace," and on some rare occasions merely "two." Yet across the Atlantic it is a completely different story. Churchill famously used the incorrect sign in the early years of the war until one of his advisers pointed out he wasn't giving the best of messages to the non-aristocratic citizens. This is one of those instances of the small disparities in meaning of the same language  that can cause unnecessary tension and issue. No one wants to be in a different country and accidentally tell the bar keep "screw you" when they meant "peace." I may be able to getaway with using the wrong gesture, some bloke may just take it as a come-on, but who needs that; unless he's rich and handsome, and in that order.

However the simple differences are the biggest ones like the differences in measurements. Today while browsing the internet for an idea of something to make for dinner tomorrow night I found a delicious looking recipe from a British blog and found that the measurements they were using just didn't make sense 1 cup isn't 10 oz, what kind of fool do they think I am. Yet after a few minutes on the trusty old Google I was enlightened. British and American measurements are not in fact the same, I'm not talking about the difference in metric and standard I'm talking about cooking measurements. For example, the  British standard tablespoon is 17.7 ml whereas the American tablespoon is only 14.2 ml  or that the American pint is 16 fl oz and the British pint is 20 fl oz. These are the small things I never thought of. Its one thing when the British mother of the children you nanny calls you her daughter's own personal dummy. Its another thing all together when you finally realize why the cookie recipe you have just doesn't ever seem to turn out right.

We may be speaking English on both sides of the Atlantic, but we truly are speaking two different languages sometimes, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, it makes my token British friend just so much more exotic and intriguing.