Very interesting and useful your thread. Looking at the words, I always thought that they were mere synonims, and no other connotation was inside. Coming from a Spanish-mother language, I think that my written statements are a mess of American mixed with English words.

I will try to write differently when I am addressing an American or an English person. But it takes time.

Through my life, I have found it difficult to speak fluently and correctly with regards to proper grammar - however I think I am improving;

and part of the reason for the "improvement" has been running a forum as well as well as visiting other forums and forcing myself to use

proper English structure of sentences.

In the United States, there are so many people who use "slang", abbreviations, and also the so called "in" words or phrases that, if one remains

in their presence for a prolonged period of time, one is bond to start speaking as they do!

I still "carry over" some tell-tale signs of this at times when I am writing - in a forum or some other venue; so I have to constantly be conscious

of this fact lest I write (make) some really silly or stupid remarks!

Quote from CruiseJunki

... so I have to constantly be conscious

of this fact lest I write (make) some really silly or stupid remarks!

Fear not, CruiseJunki -- really silly or stupid remarks give us no pause whatsoever. Just write what you want, and don't worry about the language patrol.

Quote from serafina

I remember asking Rice during our last meal together if she was able to catch all references and linguistic novelties in US TV series.

I am still stuck at recognizing A.S.A.P... but besides acronyms taken from office lingo, there are many references to celebrities and what they do... To have a (Martin) Sheen moment = to lose your grip and destroy everything like Martin Sheen does (see Urbandictionary)... I guess how many people are familiar with MS or MS' temper tantrums outside of the US.

Made-up words from TV Series: vajayjay = vagina in Grey's Anatomy (said by a gyno), but people watching this TV series dubbed do not know this word.

Calling people by their initials: CJ, JD, etc. It is practical in written English, but when spoken it is a bit confusing.

Mixing up Spanish word like 'I need this PRONTO!' = right now/immediately/quickly

I believe you're talking about 'having a Charlie Sheen moment?' This would certainly be understood by all in Argentina who (as we) have watched the endless loop of Two and a Half Men re-runs! (And, OK, OK, I will also admit to having watched hundreds of Friends episodes in Argentina as well, as have young Argentine friends who base their images of life in the US on impressions on this show -). US sitcoms shown on channels like Sony and CW are an endless source of slang, often amusingly translated in the subtitles.

For our British members: what is a bacon sarnie?

It's a bacon butty....you did ask.

OK. What is that, please?

A bacon sandwich , two slices of bread with good quality bacon and brown sauce . Some people add butter to the bread before adding the bacon

The best bacon in the world is from Ayrshire . The Danes do a decent job as well.

Oh, man. That sounds delicious. But please tell me the bacon is crispy rather than soft & fatty?

Quote from Rice

Oh, man. That sounds delicious. But please tell me the bacon is crispy rather than soft & fatty?

Just as well I like smoked streaky bacon because you can't get it any other way here. .I find the panceta ahumada La Anonima sells in a packet the best. Some people prefer their bacon cooked to a crisp whereas I like it cooked but not too crispy/burnt.

I have it in a buttered figaza roll...I order 15 a time from my local baker and freeze them. The ones he bakes are very similar in size to the rolls you get in Scotland. As the wee woman who serves likes me she always keeps the best ones for me.

Yes a fried egg with the yolk runny is an excellent addition as long as you aren't wearing a clean shirt.

I also like having some cold sliced tomato in my bacon roll but you have to have some HP Sauce with it to get the best out of it.

Not de rigueur for egg-haters, Splinter .

<shudder>

Better than the US ‘Meter Maids.”