Divided by a common language

[chrisdev]

Can a speaker of American English help me out with a few 'translations' from British English?

1. Do Americans call hairdressers 'hairdressers' or something else?
2. How do Americans say 'I'm going to empty the rubbish bin.'?
3. Do Americans say that they do the housework, as in 'I hate doing housework' or do you say something different?
4. Do you guys do the washing up or is there some other more American way of saying it?

You'd have thought that after years of watching the Simpsons and Buffy I might have picked up all this stuff, but obviously I'm too immersed in my own linguistic culture!

Thanks!

 

[mykwyner]

In America:

Men who cut other men's hair are usually called barbers; all others can be called hairdressers.
Rubbish bins are usually trash cans or garbage cans.
Housework is still housework.
I'm not sure what is being washed in the British expression "washing up," but when Americans "wash up" we are usually referring to washing our hands and faces.

 

[Amigos4]

Chrisdev, mykwyner is totally accurate with his explanation. I might add only a brief comment that the term 'hairdresser' is gradually being replaced with the term 'hair stylist'.

Cheers,
Amigos4

 

[chrisdev]

When British English speakers saying we are going to do the washing up, it's after a meal when there's a pile of dirty plates stacked up next to the sink. I bet Americans don't ever say 'sink' - it's probably something else! I know about taps being called faucets, though. There's some limit to my ignorance!

 

[ladelfina]

1. Do Americans call hairdressers 'hairdressers' or something else?
2. How do Americans say 'I'm going to empty the rubbish bin.'?
3. Do Americans say that they do the housework, as in 'I hate doing housework' or do you say something different?
4. Do you guys do the washing up or is there some other more American way of saying it?

1.) "Hairdressers". Yes. Sometimes you will see them called "hair stylists" or "stylists" in print, but it's not common to hear people say that (perhaps some women might.. going to "my stylist" probably implies a greater cash outlay).
2.) "I'm going to take out the trash," or "I'm going to empty the garbage."
3.) "housework" is "housework"!
4.) "the washing up" = "the dishes".. "My husband never does the dishes." Or you could just say "wash.." the dishes instead of "do.."