An American listed the four common British phrases that have been confusing her ever since she moved from Texas to Manchester – and you probably use them
Sophie Roberts Head of Social Newsdesk
11:08, 21 Nov 2025Updated 11:08, 21 Nov 2025
This American has really had to adjust to British lingo!(Image: Jam Press/Ashley Jackson)
It’s been a real culture shock for an American who moved from Texas to Manchester. Ashley Jackson, 42, is married to a Brit and decided to cross the pond to be with him. However, this has been an adjustment and she has been chronicling her experiences by sharing relatable TikTok videos.
It’s not just the weather, food and sense of humour that Ashley’s had to adjust to since moving. The expat has also struggled to get to grips with some of the language that people use here in the UK. In a recent video, the American listed the four phrases that she just can’t get her head around.
Ashley started off the video by saying: “Four British phrases that I absolutely love but I cannot bring myself to say”. She then went on to list the following terms…
1. People carrier
Ashley said: “’People carrier’ was chosen because when my husband first came to Texas, there was a group of us going out, he said we should get a ‘people carrier’ to take us all. No one in the group had ever heard the term before and found it funny, as it describes exactly what it does.”
In the US, it’s more common to hear the word “mini van” to describe a vehicle like this. However, Ashley is a fan of the regional differences.
She added: “I loved that. I immediately started listening for other words he used that we don’t use in the States. Now that I live here there’s a whole list!”
2. Swimming costumes
Ashley took her followers through the list of four words(Image: Jam Press/Ashley Jackson)
The American confessed: “To me it sounds like a fancy dress. Super heroes, swimming costumes, like it’s a dress up game. That one makes me giggle, but my kids say it now so I can’t laugh at it!”
In the US, cossies would be referred to as bathing suits, which is probably what Ashley is more used to hearing!
However, the word “costume” in British English can mean a set of clothes for a particular activity. This can be anything from swimming to fancy dress, so it’s a very versatile term.
3. Candy floss
Ashley gestured to her teeth and added: “I don’t know why it’s called floss. Cotton candy is what we call it in the States.”
Thankfully, there is some reasoning behind why we use different words to describe the sweet treat.
“Floss” as a word can mean a soft, light thread or fibre, which describes the wispy nature of spun sugar. The name “candy floss” was used in Britain as early as the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In contrast, Americans say “cotton candy” because the fluffy-looking spun sugar closely resembles the appearance of raw cotton. The term was widely adopted after the treat was introduced at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri.
4. Wheelie bin
To us, a bin with wheels would obviously be referred to as a wheelie bin! However, Ashley thinks the term sounds quite bizarre when she uses it.
She admitted: “I think it’s because it sounds funny coming out of my mouth – wheelie bin! We would just call this a trash can. But wheelie bin is cute.”
In the US, wheeled bins are common. Despite this, the generic terms of trash can or garbage persist.