An American mocked the British for saying ‘washing-up liquid’ and nearly started a diplomatic incident – 21 transatlantic pushbacks
Our American cousins are often baffled by the things we do and say in the UK – and we admit that they sometimes have a point. Let’s just say – Brexit, Mrs. Brown’s Boys, and Sandwich Spread.
Over on Twitter, gabriel called out the Brits for one divergence from American naming conventions.
most american reactions to britishism are overplayed but saying “washing-up liquid” instead of dish soap is truly insane
— gabriel (@castleb0y) September 5, 2025
A few people had other Britishisms to bring to everyone’s attention.
“inverted commas” is my pick for craziest one
— hilltop (@la___cuna) September 6, 2025
I hate when they say satnav instead of gps but otherwise I respect them
— mia (@rasputinboneym) September 5, 2025
i still wanna know why its baps instead of buns. kind of feels like we switched one bodily euphemism for another
— toast/some-bread (@somebreaddo) September 6, 2025
I still can’t believe they actually say “Lollipop man”
— Future Butcher of Vilnius (@hermetic1st) September 5, 2025
while we’re at it, ‘chuffed’ meaning ‘pleased’ is ridiculous. It is inherently phonetically negative https://t.co/20t6xyfAOI
— horse powder (@JuliusIrvington) September 6, 2025
The one that really fucks me up is “fancy dress” means costume, like a halloween costume type of costume
— Smoooty (@Smooooty) September 6, 2025
But, of course, the British weren’t prepared to take the diss lying down.
1.
its literally liquid for washing up what’s the problem
— fin luvs da pitt (@finbeess) September 6, 2025
2.
Insane is when you leave your apartment, go down in the elevator and get into your automobile, when you could just leave your flat, go down in the lift and get into your car.
— Col4Cats (@candersonabc) September 7, 2025
3.
Like calling a bin the garbage disposal can ot whatever the fuck it is you mental twats call them
— Hardcore To The Bone (@HardcoreNostal1) September 6, 2025
4.
just washing my dishes with my dish soap
just washing my hands with my hand soap
just washing my ass with my ass soap
ridiculous
— Paul Burow-Newton (@PaulBN) September 6, 2025
5.
Hello X (Twitter). Why does the algorithm keep showing me posts of Americans making fun of how we do/ say things in Britain. And what’s wrong with calling the liquid that you wash dishes with ‘Washing Up Liquid’? https://t.co/51Jb2xq3ws
— Meera (@enchantedsocks) September 6, 2025
6.
Can you only clean dishes with this “dish soap”? No cutlery, plates, cups or glasses, huh?
— Sakura (@sakuranekoox) September 6, 2025
7.
Try saying “Fanny Pack” to a British person
— Court Reinland (@Court_Reinland) September 6, 2025
8.
— Global Index (@TheGlobal_Index) September 7, 2025
9.
‘I’m going to fill my car up with gas’
*Fills car up with a liquid instead*
— Peter ️ (@p_crosland) September 7, 2025
10.
Look I know American is a corporationalist dystopia and all where you have to pay for everything, but have they started charging you for syllable usage in spoken conversation now?!?! https://t.co/W8ybJF8Ojw
— Jac – actually on hiatus again (@JacCooper1) September 6, 2025
11.
We don’t care. It is called washing up (or washing dishes) and we use washing up liquid for this task. The term is deeply ingrained tbh. Anyway, you guys say pants (snigger) instead of trousers so pls don’t start throwing stones.
— Darren Beale (@bealers) September 7, 2025