10 Essential Uniquely American Words

How many do you know?

Hello Everybody,

Brighter and warmer days have had me daydreaming about summer vacation. This time last year, I was planning my honeymoon through the French and Italian coast. There is no European voyage on the books this year, as we will be enjoying a staycation in our newly purchased home. Still, I know that many will be making their way to the United States. This got me thinking about the words we Americans use in everyday life that often don’t translate to other languages, and how often they confuse English learners.

Here are 10 essential words you need to know if you are visiting or living in the United States, a majority of which do not have a direct translation to many other languages.

1. Restroom (noun)
Meaning: The American word for public bathroom*. You’ll see this word in airports, restaurants, hotels, etc.
*Note: In the United States, we don’t differentiate between a bathroom and a toilet. We use the word bathroom, even if there isn’t a bath/shower in the room. Asking ‘Where’s the toilet?’ is not incorrect, but not something you would hear an American say.

Where’s the restroom?
Could I use your restroom?
The restrooms are down the hall and to the left.

2. Errands (noun)
Meaning: Tasks that involve leaving the house to go to places like the bank, supermarket, post office, etc. This word is often translated to “chores” or “tasks,” but few languages have a single casual word for this. We pair the verb run with this noun.

I need to run a few errands after work.
Saturdays are for running errands, Sundays are for relaxing.
He has some errands to run.

3. Groceries (noun)
Meaning: Food and household supplies. Sometimes you’ll hear Americans refer to the supermarket as the grocery store.

Can you help me carry the groceries inside?
The price of groceries has significantly increased this past year.
I need to go grocery shopping today.

4. Commute (noun/verb)
Meaning: The regular trip between home and work/school. I’ve found that many languages need a full phrase like “the trip to work” instead of one word.

She has a 2-hour commute to work every day.
An accident caused the usual 5-minute commute to school to be 30 minutes.
He commutes from Newark to Philadelphia two times a week.

5. Tailgate (noun/verb)
Meaning: Refers to a party in a parking lot before a sports game, or to driving too close behind another car.

It’s tradition to have a tailgate before every football game.
Chairs, tables, and a grill are essential for a proper tailgate.
Don’t tailgate, you’ll cause an accident!