Florida Guide > Miscellaneous
You Say Tomato, I Say Tomato - Part Two
Now you have arrived in Florida, stocked up with supplies from the shops and supermarket, it’s time to explore your home for the next few weeks and get out and about to begin your vacation adventure.
The Villa (or Vacation Home! )
You’ve finally arrived, and it’s time to get to know your holiday home.
Starting in the kitchen:
Teapot – kettle – electric kettles are difficult to buy in the US. You may have a kettle that you put on the stove.
Faucet – tap
Trash Can – bin
Garbage – Rubbish
Coffee Maker – coffee percolator
Dishcloth – tea towel
Silverware – cutlery
Flatware – crockery, including plates, bowls and cups.
Burners – cooker top
Griddle – grill
Skillet – frying pan
Detergent – washing powder
Flashlight - torch
Now on to the Bathrooms and Bedrooms:
Full Bed – a double bed
Comforter – duvet
Sham – large pillow case
Crib – cot
Cot – a folding bed
Closet – wardrobe
Pack and Play – travel cot
Drapes – curtains
Half Bath – cloakroom
Bathroom – toilet
Tub - bath
Washcloth – flannel
Exploring the pool area and estate (community):
Lanai – shaded area with a roof on the patio area
Deck – the pool and patio area
Pool Screen – netted area covering the pool area to keep insects out, still lets the sunshine in
Grill – barbeque (used outside the deck area)
In Ground Spa – Jacuzzi usually attached to the pool
Hot Tub – Separate Jacuzzi/Spa
Tot Lot – Children’s playground
Out and About
Now you have explored your vacation home and it’s time to go out and about and explore the vacation capital of the world.
Stroller – pushchair – these can be hired (singles and doubles) at all the major attractions if you do not want to take your own.
Restroom – public toilet.
Line – queue
Inquire – enquire
Elevator – lift
Mail (a letter or postcard) – post a letter or postcard
Cotton Candy – candy floss
Sheriff – police
Highway Patrol – traffic police
Soccer – football
Eating Out
You will truly be spoilt for choice for restaurants in the Orlando area – from fast food to amazing sit down restaurants, Chinese, Mexican, steak, Japanese, Italian and more, something for all ages, budgets and tastes.
Grits – usually served with breakfast, this resembles semolina.
French Fries – chips (chips in the US are crisps in the UK)
Baked Potato – Jacket Potato
Napkin – serviette (serviette has a different meaning in the US)
Check – bill (as in ‘can I have the check’)
Service Charge/Gratuity – tip – unlike the UK this is expected in the US, and is usually 15% of the total bill. It may sometimes be automatically added to the bill.
Every time we visit Florida, we learn new words and phrases, but the one that best sums up a vacation in Florida wherever you go is ‘have a nice day’.
Author: Dawn and Alan Murray
Villa link: click here
Other articles by this author: click here
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