I moved from the UK to the US almost 2 decades ago. I still use these 5 British terms all the time, and refuse to say the American equivalent.

03.08.2023 - 21:53 / insider.com

I spent the first seven years of my life in the United Kingdom and still have some British terms and phrases in my vocabulary.

Some words I've picked up even since moving to the US, thanks to the words that remain in my American mother's vocabulary after living in the UK for 15 years.

I often find that when I use certain British words around my American friends and family members, they point out their confusion. However, while I often find myself actively switching to American terminology, there are certain British words I refuse to stop using. 

As a food reporter, I've found that there are a ton of differences between the British and American words for various dishes. I've learned over the years to refer to aubergines as eggplants, and candy floss as cotton candy, but there are some foods that I still use the British word for.

"Toasties" are the British word for practically any grilled sandwich and are similar to what we call a panini here in the States. I always call it a "cheese toastie" when preparing one at home. 

For me, "cheese toastie" evokes a nostalgic, childlike feeling — which perfectly describes this comfort food.

To me, this term makes so much more sense. One could argue that paper towels are used in places other than the kitchen, and while I'm aware you could use them outside of the kitchen, in my opinion, they're a kitchen necessity.

British people similarly use the term "toilet roll" instead of "toilet paper," which I also think makes more sense given that the product isn't made with paper.

Growing up, I remember that one of the ways my mother would take care of me when I was sick was to give me a "hot flannel" — a small hand towel that she had rinsed in warm water.

Even today, I simply can't call a small towel by any other name, though it does get confusing when I ask my American roommates if we have "clean flannels" and they think I'm talking about a plaid button-up shirt.

When I'm a little upset or angry, no American word encapsulates that feeling quite like saying "miffed."

And rather than saying I'm devastated, which feels a bit too dramatic, "gutted" also evokes the feeling of being extremely upset or disappointed, but not to the point where I need to be coddled.

One of the most common phrases I say that people pull me up on is something along the lines of, "It was such a palaver!" 

The word "palaver" evokes something frustrating or over-the-top, and saying "hassle" simply doesn't have the same meaning when describing a situation that's given you the run-around.