11 hours ago
American visiting the UK reveals the essential 'proper and posh' British phrase he NEVER used at home before
A US-based content creator currently visiting the UK has revealed three phrases he never used before he crossed the pond.
Content creator and Native Hawaiian Kalani Ghost Hunter, real name Kalani Smith, has spent months travelling around Britain in a bid to immerse himself in the culture. It's believed he usually lives in Tennessee.
Throughout his travels, he has picked up a notable amount of classic British language, some of which, he has ended up using with his US friends and family - leaving them confused.
He shared these in a recent video which was titled: '3 phrases I NEVER used Until visiting The UK.'
The clip was accompanied by a similar caption, which read: '3 phrases I NEVER used, as an American, until visiting the UK The last one is CLASSIC British.'
Speaking in the video, Kalani - who has more than 3million followers on TikTok - started by introducing himself to viewers.
He said: 'My name is Kalani, and I've spent a lot of time traveling in the UK. And something I've picked up on is I come home with phrases I never said before.'
He added that when he then uses these phrases with his friends and family back home, they 'look at [him] with confusion'.
Delving into the three phrases, he said: 'Number one is "I fancy a takeaway". Now, to a Brit, this sounds absolutely normal, but in America, we would never call it a takeaway. It's always take out, and I would never say I fancy something.'
Kalani noted that the more time he spends around Brits, the more his vocabulary and phrasing change.
He continued: 'So "I fancy a takeaway", just means that you want some takeout. But the way that they say it sounds so nice and proper and posh and in the US, we just don't say it that way.'
The content creator moved onto the next phrase - one which is likely to be very familiar with any Brit.
He said: 'The second one is "put the kettle on". This is a very common saying in the UK [...] this one, I feel like, is a household phrase. Someone's coming over to your house, you're going to tell them you'll put the kettle on. If you're craving a cuppa, you'll put the kettle on.'
He then discussed cultural differences between the US and the UK when it comes to the prevalence of kettles.
Kalani explained: 'If you've seen my videos in the past, [you will have seen] we do have some kettles in the US, but it is not like the UK.
'[The] kettle is something you will find in almost every Brits house. The only other thing that's consistent with a kettle is probably a brolly - or an umbrella, and it's a big part of British hospitality.
'So if someone's selling you, they'll put the kettle on, you're in good standing.'
The third phrase he shared used a uniquely British pronunciation of a word used in both the US and UK.
'The final one today,' Kalani revealed,' is 'I can't be a****". '
He continued: 'The US version of this is "I can't be bothered". But it essentially means you don't want to do something, or you're too lazy to do something or care about something.'
Concluding the clip, the content creator said: 'To my American friends and family that do not know all of this British lingo I am bringing back home, I say these things and they look at me dumbfounded.
'It's honestly like speaking another language in some ways, but the more I come home, the more I realize you guys are influencing me.'
A number of TikTok viewers left comments on the video after watching it, discussing their take on the lanuguage differences
A number of commentators shared their own thoughts on the unique qualities of UK slang.
One wrote: 'Put the kettle on, isn't a saying or a phrase, it's an instruction. No Brit has ever uttered that particular sentence, and not expected to be presented with a cup of tea, 5 or 6 minutes later.'
Another added: 'British swearing is absolutely top tier as well.'
Meanwhile a third simply said: 'American English. Is a different language.'
'I love your posts and I am so pleased you have picked up on our them with pride my friend! You are always welcome here!,' said a further TikTok user.
In a similar vein, another wrote: 'you should move to the UK it's now your true home my friend and I believe you and your wife will feel so at home big man and please put the kettle on.'
