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The UK and the USA may share a language (mostly) in common, but when it comes to a number of cultural customs, the Atlantic Ocean seems like the smallest thing separating them.

Whether it's their unique accent that somehow carries over into their typing, their obsession with tea, or the fact that they put baked beans on their toast, Brits certainly have a way of making those of us on the Western side of the world scratch our heads with confusion. That's not to say that Americans don't have quirks of their own, but here at Bored Panda, we think Great Britain deserves some special recognition this time around.

Check out the top British moments that left Americans completely stumped below, and be sure to vote for the ones that you're still trying to understand as well.

#1

American Vs British

tommowar Report

Lauren Southwood
Community Member
8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My nan came onto facetime while i was talking to my sister, chatted sortly and then said "I have to go, I can't drink my tea unless its scalding hot" Its July...

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    #3

    American Vs British

    a-thousand-words Report

    didi
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Actually quite useful: "biweekly" is confusing as some may consider that as twice a week or every 2 weeks. "Fortnightly" can only mean once every 2 weeks.

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    #4

    American Vs British

    the-funkiest-penguin Report

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    #5

    American Vs British

    brigwife Report

    E Menendez
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am from the US and I have thought the same thing ( why do we call it math when it should be maths) and always assumed I was just overthinking. Then I learned that Brits use maths and now I feel less foolish. Also, I love eagle f****r. Laughed out loud on that.

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    #6

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    aphcanada-remade Report

    Daria B
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And Frooty Loop to musicians! Sorry, I had to.

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    #7

    American Vs British

    supremequeenofthenerds Report

    Nicola Morley
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Us British can sneak up on you like a ninja in the night or even an iceberg in open water

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    #8

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    claudiaboleyn Report

    loveandbones
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Translation: Friend it's hard to explain, it's just like one day you will be with your friends having a look in a sports shop (called JD) and you might fancy the curry offer that's on at the local pub (called Wetherspoons) but your friend Calum, who is a legend and awesome will be like "Guys let's go to Nando's (a resturant chain in the UK, cheap and good tasting food, hence it feeling a bit cheeky) instead." and you'll think "Great idea. Let's go for it."

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    #9

    American Vs British

    neisner Report

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    #10

    American Vs British

    grincham-n-larry Report

    Xmayze
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Someone told me a lot of Americans don't even own a kettle, I'm slightly scared to ask if that's true....?

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    #11

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    squiddleprincess Report

    Sakata Gintoki
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's probably because they never had to become an independent country.

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    #12

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    snorlaxatives Report

    Claire Kidd
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why is that so weird to Americans? You know what I find weird? That Americans make everything sickly sweet and have an unhealthy relationship with Maple Syrup. On bacon? Really people?

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    #13

    American Vs British

    MasterDrank Report

    Steve
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Pulp" is a band. "Juicy bits" are simply juicy and awesome. I'm ok with this one :D

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    #14

    American Vs British

    keelahtequila Report

    TC
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I suppose people in the USA get a compulsory tip because the don't earn enough from their employers and have to life on their clients charity...?

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    #16

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    DestinyDreadful Report

    Fire Bird
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you youtube Anglophenia she explains why there are two taps. They didnt want the hot water being contaminated by the cold water as they had seperate tanks. This was back in the day, they just do it now as nostalgia thing.

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    #17

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    fialleril Report

    Anete Evelone
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That still would make a sick tattoo with a STORY

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    #18

    American Vs British

    emmybeezyk Report

    Nicola Morley
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And you thought us Brits were straight laced and uppity. Mr Blobby is proof, do not mess with the Brits if you don't want the nightmares Freddy Kruger gets when sick.

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    #19

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    nymerosmartell Report

    #20

    American Vs British

    flomation Report

    didi
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Due to the common market trade agreements, there was something of a campaign a while back for food terminology in Europe: They basically wanted all British chocolate renaming as chocolate candy because it wasn't pure enough by their standards (too much milk fat and sugar, not enough cocoa).

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    #21

    American Vs British

    hahahhahanono Report

    TC
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That coming from someone called "a**s" is somehow weird...

    Hans
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I do not even dare to use Google image search on this.

    Ruth Darroch
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The ‘D**k’ in Spotted D**k as far as aware, is an abbreviation of the Old English name for pudding: puddick.

    Jane Bateman
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Spotted d**k and custard yummy!!!

    Lance d'Boyle
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Spotted d**k was favorite desert in the captains dining room in the old iron oak navy. Another was a sumptuous delicacy know as drowned baby. yum

    Allana Rose
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They have names that mean different things to them. For example; Here we have the name Randy, to them that means horny. Dont call your son Chuck, because for them that means to throw up...etc...

    Delta Hill
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The word "d**k" refers to the fact that it's a pudding. It's what they used to call pudding back in the early 19th century. Spotted refers to the raisins throughout the pudding.

    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Man I love me some "spotted d**k" Please help me

    Nicola Morley
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think it's been renamed to spotted Richard, not sure if that's better or worse.

    Suzanne Haigh
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We like to have pure fun, not like the Americans.

    Charlie_Poulton69
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    its a pudding you f*****g r****d plus wtf is your name you twat

    Martin Forbes
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I see the irony in your name there.

    SiYuan
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I heard it was actually renamed Spotted Richard. Tho I might be wrong.

    Sue Scimeca
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    LOL, it hoigh the same way when I first heard the name.... now I'm use to it. Next try Marmite, if you want death from salt....

    Shannon McKee
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't care what it's called as long as it tastes good.

    Amber Dae Ingalls
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My chemistry teacher from Ireland brought this into class when we were seniors!

    Medyo Uyam
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    stick to your Twinkies, A**s.

    Diana Shupp
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't knock it until you try it !

    Daniel Marsh
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In America, there's a custom of giving fruitcake for Christmas, despite the fact that no-one in America EATS fruitcake. And they never go bad. Rumor has it, today's fruitcakes are the same fruitcakes given in the 1880s.

    CV
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    SO, a**s doesn't like spotted d**k! We all get that now :D

    Raspberry Ginger
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've eaten it. I was really young, though, so I don't remember it

    micheal.in.a.lifeboat
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I am in America and my mom doing that in the store. She bought it to show her friends 😂

    Intensive Panda
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "a**s & spotted d**k" could be the title of a cheap adult movie

    Šimon Špaček
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A**s was looking for spotted d**k... My imagination turned off and refuses to turn on again.

    Falta Karikato
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It would probably be a lot less rude...if it was called a 'Spotter Richard'

    Simon Manning
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It would be even less rude if people stopped thinking of d**k as 'penis' and more as 'Richard' or 'detective' or 'pudding' or 'messing around' or 'nothing'...

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    Mark Penrice
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It was named after a guy called Richard... Remind me, what was Robin's (as in "Batman and") real name again?

    Gina Gregory
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yeah this is wrong. sounds like a d**k disease

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    #22

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    selenasbieber Report

    #23

    American Vs British

    broderick Report

    Brigitte
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Actually all over Europe it's pretty common to have your washing machine in the kitchen. If the bathroom is too small and there is no extra room, where else would you put it? Also in some apartments the water/drain pipes for washing machines are installed in the kitchen only, so you really have no other choice.

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    #24

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    worldsenough Report

    ispeak catanese
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We've been watching Vera, The Loch, Unforgotten, Happy Valley, Scott & Bailey & Shetland and have added so many great new insults and idioms to our speech! It's fun yelling k******d and calling each other cow. I think I have developed a Scottish, Yorkshire, Puerto Rican accent.

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    #26

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    freetobegrace Report

    Ninshi TheImp
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That reminds me of something I read. In germany the waterworks have to perpare for the breaks during important football games.

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    #28

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    actuallyiscoops Report

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    #29

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    tyleroakley Report

    Daria B
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Makes sense, but.... I'm sure U.S.A. doesn't have the same accent in each state, just like the U.K. accents vary by countries and regions. Even in one single city of London you can differentiate between particular accents depending on the part of the city, no? Sorry, I'm an overthinker. *shrug*

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    #30

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    obeyknowles Report

    Jade Lorreni💜💙
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Im british and have never seen, heardor tasted this. And i think it sounds terrible

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    #31

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    beta-sheratan Report

    Hans
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sandy is more cool than Frank? o_O

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    #32

    American Vs British

    megganrenayorf_ Report

    Andrew Smith
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Um. Yeah. Maybe because a "f***y" is something else.

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    #33

    American Vs British

    beyoneeche Report

    Steve
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because it saves on plug-ware. I save pounds every year on not having to replace plugs for my sink.

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    #34

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    seavaynay Report

    Cynthia McDonald
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    so... you know those little plastic packs that hot dogs come in have a salty liquid in them, right? They're not vacuum sealed in there all dry.

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    #35

    American Vs British

    CrossRdsCollins Report

    Hans
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    faith sadly did not understand the concept of an egg cup. They are for boiled eggs, which are then eaten with a spoon.

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    #36

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    jokebud Report

    Claire Kidd
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, Americans have this weird view of the British. In their TV shows EVERY British person either speaks in a really posh voice or is a cockney. WE DON'T TALK LIKE THAT!

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    #38

    American Vs British

    britishjoe Report

    Steve
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Celebrating the day King James I survived what was essentially a terrorist plot to blow up the House of Lords. Interestingly we celebrate by blowing stuff up whilst freezing our collective backsides off and waving sparklers about.

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    #39

    American Vs British

    brokeymcpoverty Report

    Ines Äffchen
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    when I first moved to the UK and switched on the TV I learned that this is a show about people who have some complaint that's "too embarrassing to show your doctor". But yeah, let's ALL have a look at that on national TV, why not.

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    #40

    American Vs British

    cloandfriends Report

    Rose Jones
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's actually quite delicious, economical and takes 5 min to prepare

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    #41

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    obvz Report

    John Doe
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    exactly, that's just what you say!! or may be "past midnight" as well

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    #43

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    verityglasses Report

    Neil Adams
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's correctly pronounced 'aitch', without the aspirant. https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/aitch

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    #44

    American Vs British

    bathadah Report

    Cynthia McDonald
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is my favorite TV show. I have NO CLUE what 90% of the things they are baking actually are -- never heard of them, never seen them. But the intensity with which they bake them is riveting!

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    #45

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    theonlyvun Report

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    #46

    American-british-cultural-differences-confusion

    anbrll00 Report

    Kjorn
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i hope it's a joke. nobody can be so stupid

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