DAPS
See PLIMSOLLS.
DEATH DUTY
Former name for INHERITANCE TAX, ie an ESTATE TAX.
DEEP FREEZE
FREEZER. If you hear a Briton refer to a CHEST FREEZER it is not a device used by a thoracic surgeon, but a food freezer in the shape of a chest with a hinged lid on top, as opposed to an upright version.
DEMERARA SUGAR
TURBINADO SUGAR. A light brown, semi-refined sugar typically used for coffee.
DEPOSIT ACCOUNT
SAVINGS ACCOUNT.
DERBY
Pronounced “dar’-bee”, this can be a county, a city or a classic horse race, but never a hat. (See BOWLER (Hat))
DIARY
This can mean either a personal DIARY or a business CALENDAR.
DICKY BIRD (Slang)
WORD. Rhyming slang again.
DIDICOI (Slang)
Derogatory name for a GYPSY. The word is pronounced “did’-ee-coy”.
DIFFERENT
In Britain the preferred preposition to follow the word “different” is “from”. You may hear “...different to...”, but you will seldom hear “...different than...”. (See COMPARED)
DIGESTIVE [BISCUIT]
GRAHAM CRACKER. (See BISCUIT)
DINNER
Dinner can mean LUNCH, especially in school. A schoolchild will typically talk about needing his or her DINNER-MONEY rather than lunch money. (See also SUPPER)
DINNER JACKET or DJ
TUXEDO. (See DRESS SHIRT)
DIP
Selection process used by children. For example “Eeny, Meeny, Miny Mo”, or “One Potato, Two Potato, Three Potato, Four”, etc.
DIPHTHONG
BritSpeak uses the compound vowels “æ” and “œ” much more than American English. Some examples are fæces, fœtus and hæmatology for feces, fetus and hematology.
DIRECTORY ENQUIRIES
INFORMATION (Telephone)
DISHCLOTH
DISH RAG. (See TEA-CLOTH)
DISPENSARY
See CHEMIST’S.
DIVERSION (Road Sign)
DETOUR.
DOCTOR
A general practice physician in the UK has a bachelor’s degree in medicine, not a doctorate, but is referred to as Dr So-and-so. A specialist, having a doctorate degree, is referred to as Mr or Ms So-and-so. Go figure!
DODDLE (Slang)
Something simple. As in “It was a real DODDLE”.
DODGY (Slang)
TRICKY or RISKY. A common expression might be “That’s a bit dodgy, isn’t it”.
DOG-END (Slang)
CIGARETTE BUTT. (See also FAG-END)
DOGS
GREYHOUND RACETRACK. (See also GO TO THE DOGS)
[GENERAL] DOGSBODY
Somebody on the low part of the totem pole, often with a whole lot of things to do. Another expression is CHIEF COOK AND BOTTLE-WASHER.
DOG’S DINNER
“Dressed up like a dog’s dinner” means dressed very smartly, or even over dressed.
DOGGO
To lie doggo is to lie motionless or play dead.
DOLE [MONEY]
WELFARE [CHECK].
DOLL’S HOUSE
DOLL HOUSE.
DON’T GET YOUR KNICKERS IN A TWIST
KEEP CALM or DON’T GET EXCITED. (See KNICKERS)
DOORSTEP
Thick slice of bread or toast—apart from the obvious, that is.
DOSS (Slang)
SLEEP.
DOSS HOUSE
Inexpensive boarding house.
DOWN UNDER
AUSTRALIA. (See ANTIPODES)
DOWNS
UPS! Well, petty much! High, often treeless, stretches of land, especially in Southern England. For example, The South Downs, Lambourne Downs, etc.
DRAM
Small shot of liquor, especially Scotch. Often referred to as a “wee dram”.
DRAPER’S [SHOP]
DRYGOODS STORE.
DRAUGHTS (Game)
CHECKERS. Pronounced “drafts”.
DRAW (Raffle)
DRAWING.
DRAW (Sport)
TIE, as in a 3-3 tie. Incidentally, a Briton would usually refer to a score of 3-3 as THREE-ALL, rather like a tennis score of FIFTEEN-ALL, etc.
DRAWING PIN
THUMB TACK.
DRESS SHIRT
TUXEDO SHIRT or FORMAL SHIRT. (See DINNER JACKET)
DRESSING-GOWN
[BATH]ROBE.
DRIBBLE
DROOL. Except in soccer or basketball, where it means the same as in the US.
DRIPPING (Fat)
DRIPPINGS.
DRIVE (Noun)
DRIVEWAY.
DUAL CARRIAGEWAY
DIVIDED HIGHWAY. (See CENTRAL RESERVATION)
DUCKS AND DRAKES
SKIPPING STONES. To play DUCKS AND DRAKES is to throw stones so that they skip along the surface of the water.
DUFFEL COAT
TOGGLE COAT. Coat made from a coarse, heavy material, fastening with toggles, and often having a hood.
DULALLY (Slang)
NUTTY or CRAZY.
[DEAF AND] DUMB
[DEAF] MUTE
DUMMY
PACIFIER.
DUREX
See RUBBER.
DUSTBIN
GARBAGE CAN.
DUSTMAN
GARBAGE COLLECTOR.
DUTCH, GO
DUTCH TREAT.
DUTCH COURAGE
Boldness induced by drinking alcohol.
DUVET
See CONTINENTAL QUILT.
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