British > American Glossary | K
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P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | Americanisms |
 British
term or expression |
 American
equivalent, or explanation |
|---|---|
| kedgeree | breakfast dish made of fish, rice and eggs |
| keep your pecker up | keep smiling and cheerful |
| kennel (wooden shelter for dog to sleep in outside) | doghouse |
| kennels (place dog is left during owner's absence) | kennel |
| kerb | curb |
| kerfuffle [colloq.] (unnecessary fuss or disturbance) | palaver |
| kettle | teakettle |
| kick the bucket [slang] (pass away) | kick in, kick off, check out, conk out, pop off [slang] |
| kick-off [colloq.] (as in: 'For a kick-off, let's eat!') | start |
| killick [nautical slang] | leading seaman |
| kindergarten, nursery school (children aged 2–5) | preschool |
| kip [colloq.] (sleep) | sack time [colloq.] |
| kipper | breakfast herring first treated with salt, then smoked |
| kirby grip (Kirbigrip™) | a kind of sprung hairgrip |
| kissagram, kissogram | novelty greetings message delivered with a kiss |
| kit | gear or clothing for sporting activities,
etc; electronic equipment or gadgetry |
| kitchen bench | kitchen counter |
| kitchen range | old-style solid-fuel stove kept hot all day long |
| knackered [slang] | exhausted, worn out |
| knees-up [colloq.] | a lively party |
| knickerbockers | knickers |
| knickers, women's underpants | panties |
| knob [slang] (penis) | pecker [slang] |
| knock back [colloq.] | drink
something especially quickly; disconcert someone |
| knock off [colloq.] (as in 'he knocks off at six') | end a work shift |
| knock-on effect | indirect or secondary effect |
| knock someone off [slang] (make sexual conquest) | get laid with someone [slang] |
| knock spots off | defeat easily |
| knock up [colloq.] | rack up
an impressive score; make or arrange something hastily; wake someone up by knocking on their door; practice a ball game before formal play begins |
| knockers [slang] (female breasts) | hooters, jugs [both slang], boobs [colloq.] |
| knocking shop [slang] | brothel |
| know your onions [colloq.] | know your stuff, know what you're talking about |
| knuckleduster | brass knuckles |
