Saturday 4 November 2017

10 words and phrases which sound like other words in a different accent

Apologies to any native speakers if I haven't got all of the following accents quite right, but here are a few words or phrases which when pronounced in a certain accent sound like a new phrase altogether...

Bacon sandwiches could cause confusion in Jamaica.

1) Beer Can


If you say 'beer can' in an English accent, it sounds like 'bacon' in a Jamaican accent.



2) Jam Ear Can Beer Can


Taking it one step further, if you say 'jam ear can beer can' in an English accent, it sounds like 'Jamaican bacon' in a Jamaican accent.



3) Space Ghetto


If you say 'space ghetto' in an American accent, it sounds like 'Spice Girl' in a Scottish accent.



'Boots Cat' sounds like beat-boxing.

4) Boots Cat


If you say 'boots cat' quickly over and over again it sounds like you're beat-boxing.



5) In Detroit


If you say 'in Detroit' in an American accent, it will sound like you're saying, 'Isn't that right?' in an Irish accent.



An Australian coffee for later.

6) Lighter


If you're in a cafe in Australia and you'd like more milk or cream in your coffee, don't say, "I'd like my coffee lighter," because they might take it away and bring it back 'later'.



7) Later


Conversely, if you're Australian, and you're not quite ready for your coffee yet, don't tell an American waiter or waitress, "I'll have my coffee later."  If you do, don't be surprised if they add cream or milk to your coffee.



8) Emma Chizit


This next one is admittedly quite an unlikely scenario, but if anyone called 'Emma Chizit' happens to be reading this, be careful when speaking to a South African.  If you tell them your name they may think you're asking the price.  Specifically, it may sound like you're asking, "How much is it?"



"Good eye!"

9) Good Eye


If you're a pirate who wears an eye patch, take care when discussing your bad eye and your 'good eye' with an Australian, as it may sound like you are using the Australian greeting for hello, "G'day!"



10) Soviet Union


Finally, my Geordie mate has just got a job in Russia campaigning for the rights of napkin makers. It's in the serviette union.




This list of accented pronunciations was compiled by Charles Fudgemuffin, which is pronounced exactly how it sounds. Charles is the author of 'Dead Men Tell No Tales' which is available for kindle from Amazon.

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Related posts:
An alternative phonetic alphabet
Five stupid sayings (part 1)

4 comments:

  1. good eye might

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  2. If you say "rise up lights" in a Canadian accent it sounds like "Razor Blades" in an Australian accent.

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    Replies
    1. American/Canadian.... actually any accent, it sounds like that in an Australian accent lol

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  3. "He knows he's tough" and "He knows his stuff" are so much alike.

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