Although I've seen "jam" in the grocery stores, I've never heard anyone call it by that name. Whenever we're at a restaurant or at a friend's house, the spread that goes on bread, bagels, scones, etc. is called "jelly".  Jam is made from every edible part of the fruit including seeds and pieces of fruit. Much like marmalade except marmalade contains the peel of the fruit whereas jam doesn't. ...

I grew up calling the item of clothing I swim in "my costume".  We also called clothing we dressed up in for parties or plays "costumes".  It can be confusing.  But we South Africans have a way of getting around problems like these.  We call the item of clothing we swim in, a "cozzy" (coz-zee). Example: It's Saturday and my sister phones me: "We're having a braai so bring your cozzy". Translation: "we're ...

Everyone knows what these are used for. Go to the beach and most people are wearing them.  In the USA they are called flip-flops. They became popular in the USA when soldiers returning from Japan during WWII brought the Japanese version of these flat, thonged sandals.  In South Africa, we call them slip-slops. Originally, they were made from the leaves of the sisal (agave) plant.  My favourite pairs of slops from South Africa ...

Growing up, biscuits were treats. Biscuits to us are the sugary kind.  There is the plain variety but there are also those that are filled with white or lemony creamy goodness, caramel, chocolate or jam. In the USA, such things are called cookies.  In the USA, biscuits are usually the savoury kind, served with egg and bacon at breakfast or as a side at Thanksgiving dinner. To South Africans, these are scones, served ...

I never knew it was strange to call a traffic light a 'robot'. "Turn right at the robot." Nothing wrong with that.  Then I left South Africa and 'robot' sounded strange. I got used to 'traffic light'.  We South Africans also use 'robot' to refer to a mechanical device that performs tasks automatically or by remote control. We are quirky that way.  As soon as I'm back in my homeland, I automatically switch ...

After leaving South Africa, I came to realize I was calling a warm, wooly winter garment by the wrong name.  In both countries, this is called a jersey. This is in fact a Springbok rugby jersey. Rugby to South Africans is like football to Americans. It's war. It's to the death. In the world of rugby here are 3 top, dominating teams. The Springboks (South Africa), the All Blacks (New Zealand) and ...

One of the strangest words I've had to learn to use while living in the USA is the word 'bangs'.  Not the "bang, you're dead!" meaning, or "bangs" as in loud noises.  No, 'bangs' as in the hair cut in a straight row (usually) lying on the forehead. We call it a 'fringe'. According to Wikipedia, the term 'bangs' originally referred to bang-off (straight across at the front) and may be related to ...