Americanisms
- Thread starter Jimlaad43
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- PA, US
- rb26x
Submerged
It's fine. A café here is more like a coffee shop, where people go for excellent (my town at least) coffee, hot cocoa, maybe some brownies or whoopie pies, cookies, and mixed sodas. In winter or when there is nothing better to do, my friends and I will go there and hang out after getting something hot, and usually play checkers or something, there are no waiters, after the guy makes it or gets you what you want, you just sit down and get anything else yourself. It's owned and run by one guy though, so I like going there.
A diner is more like a restuarant, but very casual. It's cheap, but not dirty or anything. Diners are open 24/7, and serve "American"-type foods. There's usually a counter to sit at, as well as booths and tables. Diners are convenient, being open all the time, and they usually have steady service, not busy, unless there's somethin going on in town. The food at the one near my house is awesome, I go for breakfast sometimes for an eggs benedict, good stuff!
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- rb26x
Submerged
A pub is sort of like it, just diners don't serve alcohol. So it's no TVs for watching sports or anything, and a diner is more family-oriented. Not saying that pubs are bad, I hope you know what I mean. And no, it isn't anything like a fast food place, being that there are waiters and waitresses, and I don't know of any diners that are chains. For some reason, tons are owned by Greeks, but they're nice so I'm fine with it.
- 12,389
- Betelgeuse
- Beeblebrox_237
Well, a pub without the alcohol is basically a diner. A diner is a casual restaurant. A lot of diners are owned by Greeks because the Greek immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s couldn't get jobs elsewhere, so they all started diners.
- 30,089
- Thailand
Chips (UK) are exactly that, chips or cuts of potato that are cooked. French fried is a term which can be applied to any vegetable and is a way of cooking.
To say French fried potatoes would be more proper yet French fries has come to specify the McDonald's type fries are slender, slim and longish. Chips, as I would call them would constitute a larger piece per each chip akin to what is served with a steak.
Neither can be considered wrong, it's just a regional thing.
Here's my view:
Chips
French fries (potato)
Because for most of my life I have grilled or oven cooked chips I have no inclination to call them fries. However, if I go to McDonald's, KFC or whatever, I will order fries.
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- madmike1986
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- Rule 12
- GTP_Famine
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Was that stupid or what.
- 12,389
- Betelgeuse
- Beeblebrox_237
We have TGI fridays here, but it isn't considered a diner, nor do they serve alcohol. I suppose the best description of a diner would be a pub minus the alcoholic drinks. Note that diners are almost never chains.
What do you expect from America...
- 24,053
- It/It
- GTP_TheCracker
Over here that would be shop with disgustingly patterned carpets that sells over-priced crisps and soft drinks.
- 19,727
- Alabamamania
beeblebrox237
Hmm...been to quite a few diners where a couple of bottled beers are on the menu. Diners are great when you aren't sure what you'd like to eat; typically the fare is all over the map, although the quality varies because rarely do they specialize in any one "genre" of food.
Denny's is okay if it's 11pm-5am and you aren't feeling adventurous. Some entrees are far greasier than others, so use caution.
RTSolvalou
(Banned)
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Crawl Space!
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- MattyTheDog
shem
In English probably, because in the US it can be used for 'bum bag' I believe. I'm surprised that isn't censored actually.
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- Roush_fan_99
- GTP Roush fan99
Since the "fanny pack" I would assume that's the reason for not being censored, it went from bad to common..... Sort of
- 19,013
- Jersey V.1.0
- axletramp
I remember watching a M*A*S*H episode back in the 80s when the Colonel told 'Hotlips' Houlihan not to "...let the door hit you in the fanny on the way out!". I thought that was a bit strong... and how would she turn around fast enough? 
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In US English there's no reason. Your fanny is your back bottom and a fanny pack is a small pouch you wear around your waist for coins and stuff - unless you're Victoria Stilwell and you have dog treats in it.
In English, that thing is called a bum bag - but in US English a bum is a tramp. Back in English your fanny is your front bottom (for the half of you that possess a front bottom) - but really it's only a word that kids use. Adults have much more creative and offensive (and censorable) words for it
Barra333
Premium
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- London, ON
- barra333
Back to the diner conversation...
The closest I remember seeing to a diner in the year I lived in the UK was that god-awful chain that lived by the motorways - Roadchef. It did go into receivership while I was there, but might be still trading, I dont know.
And Denny's is awesome (for cheap breakfast when you are travelling)
Also, congratulations Famine on your inventioned word.
The closest I remember seeing to a diner in the year I lived in the UK was that god-awful chain that lived by the motorways - Roadchef. It did go into receivership while I was there, but might be still trading, I dont know.
And Denny's is awesome (for cheap breakfast when you are travelling)
Also, congratulations Famine on your inventioned word.
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