JOINT MEETING BRITISH SOCIETY FOR THE HISTORY OF ...

A Three-Societies Grammar
English/American equivalent
Coach=Bus or Trolley
Lift=Elevator
Underground=Subway
Mind the gap=Watch your step or Mind your step
Queue=Line
Bacon=Ham
Biscuit=Cookie
Chips=french fries
Car park=parking lot
Beamer=lcd projector
Beer=Beer
A word on walking:
Drivers in many American cities will brake for you should you stumble into an
intersection. It is important to remember that Philadelphia is not one of these
cities. Apparently, courtesy towards pedestrians, bicyclists, dogs, cats, etc.
declines proportionally with the size of the city. So please pay attention to traffic
signals. And as in all big cities, Philadelphia has patches where it is best not to
wander. For those staying at the dorms or at the hotel, remember that east is best,
and west is less. Attendees are advised (strongly) not to wander west past 41 st
Street (which runs north and south).
What to expect for breakfast:
A traditional American breakfast typically includes eggs (usually scrambled,
fried, or hardboiled), toast (usually wheat, white, or rye break) or biscuits (which
are circular and made of soft dough and are not cookies), bacon (thin strips of
pork hard fried), sausage (links or patties) orange juice, and hash browns (sliced
or diced fried potatoes) and never beans and rarely tomatoes. Americans like
cream in their coffee, and, even in their tea (Brits grimace at this barbarism).
Pancakes and waffles are also popular breakfast foods.
In American restaurants, you are allowed, even encouraged to add a gratuity to
your credit card charge. 15-20% is typical. Most restaurants accept credit cards.
Smaller establishments will balk at large denominations of bills: $50 and up – be
prepared to have your large bills examined with extra care. Most paper currency
in wide circulation contains the pictures of past American presidents, save the
$10 (Alexander Hamilton) and $100 bills (Benjamin Franklin). You will have an
easier time spending smaller denominations, such as $20 dollar bills.
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