You Say Tomato, I Say Tomato - Part One - Orlando / Florida Guide

Florida Guide > Miscellaneous

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One thing that always surprises and delights me on my trips to Florida is that every time we go we learn something new. This is particularly true when it comes to the language. Yes we all speak English but there are so many words and phrases that have different meanings. I have put together some I have got to know to help from the moment of booking until you are there –vive la difference!

So you’ve finally made the great decision to rent a home directly from an owner – great decision, so where do you start when looking for the perfect holiday home or villa for your holiday (or as they say in the U. S vacation).

Choosing Your Accomodation:

Condo or Condominium – the closest comparison here in the U. K is an apartment. Usually these will have 2 or three bedrooms, a bathroom (sometimes 2) kitchen area and living/lounge area. Often in small blocks of 2 or 3 stories and usually with a communal pool.

Town House – these are usually on 2 stories, with 2, 3 or 4 bedrooms, bathroom(s), kitchen, lounge area, patio area and sometimes with splash pool or a Hot Tub.

Vacation Home – this is a generic term which can include condos and town homes, but also includes villas. Villas will usually be detached homes on an estate or community, usually with private pools and amenities.

Arriving in Florida – Cars and Roads

Well you’ve finally arrived in sunny Florida – now to collect your car and set off for your chosen accommodation.

Parking Lot – you may be directed to the lot to collect your car, this is the same as our car park.

Minivan – people carrier.

Trunk – car boot.

Windshield – windscreen.

Gas Pedal – accelerator.

Freeway – motorway.

Highway – road.

Merge – you will often see this written in the road, just means lane is coming to end.

Sidewalk – pavement

Gas – petrol.

Gas Station – Petrol Station.

At the Supermarket and Shops

Before you head off for the supermarket to stock up on supplies, you may want to get some cash. Look out for ATM or Auto Teller rather than cash point machine.

Soda – all fizzy drinks (or pop) are called soda

Sprite – lemonade

Beer – lager (as opposed to bitter)

Zucchini - courgettes

Chips – crisps

Kleenex – tissues

Pattie – burger

Milk and juice are bought by the gallon.

Milk is graded by % fat content, for example skimmed 0% fat, semi-skimmed 2% etc.

Diapers – nappies

Pacifier – dummy

Band Aid – plaster

Booboo – plaster (for young children)

Serviettes – feminine hygiene (not used in restaurants – use napkin)

Drug Store – chemist or pharmacy

Liquor Store – off license

Pants – trousers

Briefs – underwear

Sneakers – trainers or plimsolls

Purse – handbag

Pocket Book – wallet

Bill Fold – wallet

Cell Phone – mobile phone

Bill – paper money as in dollar bill

Check – check (as in traveller’s cheque). In the US the date format used is MM/DD/YYYY, to avoid mistakes it is best to write the date i. e. 01st January 2008.

Page added on: 10 June 2008
Author: Dawn and Alan Murray (Villa link: www.orlandovillas.com /florida-vacation-rental-1781.aspx)

We aim to provide acccurate and useful information, but if you feel anything provided here is not accurate or out of date, please email us with the address of the page concerned and any commments so we can amend as necessary.

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