I have had a minor health issue over the last few days – just a stomach bug which has kept me at home and miserable. I find anything that slows me down frustrating so am a great believer in vaccination, taking vitamins and avoiding infection as much as possible. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu activity peaks between December and February; so we are not out of the woods yet so I have yet another reason to long for spring and summer!
When describing my symptoms to American co-workers, some of my newer team members looked a little confused when I said that I felt “under the weather”. Even though I have lived here for 17 years, I am often reminded of Winston Churchill who famously said the Americans and English are “divided by a common language. “Under the weather” is a common expression used by the English to say that we are feeling a bit unwell, maybe coming down with something rather than a fully blown disease or medical problem. The origins of“ under the weather” are tied to the seas and as an island nation the British always relied on seafarers for defense and commerce. In earlier times, sailors who were feeling seasick would go below deck, literally getting “under” the weather rail and away from the harsh weather conditions.
I tried to explain further by saying I felt “poorly”, “a bit off,” “not quite right,” and was “feeling rough.” I then remembered that in America, if you say you’re “poorly,” people assume you’re short on cash. In Britain, if you’re “poorly,” you’re simply under the weather. Confused yet? Try emigrating.
When I first came to the USA, I didn’t understand that when people said they were “sick” it did not necessarily mean that they were vomiting as the word sick always does in the UK. I eventually realized that being sick means “not feeling well” and usually unable to work – a step beyond just being under the weather! When unable to work, Americans “call in sick” whereas the British are “laid up”, which Americans usually use to describe their boats when they are out of service. Other bodily functions are divided by culture. For example, Americans might be “constipated” but the British are “bunged up” until relief is found, when Americans visit the “restroom” and in the UK people go to the “loo.” Even how you describe becoming sick is different as in the USA you “catch a cold” but in Britain, you “have a cold.”
The first step for mild illness in the USA is to go to the drugstore or pharmacy whereas in the UK we go to the chemist where we may seek the advice of a pharmacist. When I first came to America, I was a bit overwhelmed by the enormous drugstores which were much larger and more plentiful than standard British chemists. When I first wanted to stock up on what is technically a “small adhesive medical dressing” and asked a store clerk where “plasters” were, they tried to send me to a hardware store as they thought I was undertaking home renovations. I eventually realized that Americans always use the brand name “Band-Aids.” Twenty years ago when I asked for “insect repellant” I had to explain what I needed at length before I was directed to the “bug spray aisle”, although I think American marketeers have started using this in the US in recent years (probably to justify a higher price!).
Another difference is that in Britain, pharmacists are allowed to approve of the purchase of some medicines (such as codeine containing painkillers) which are not available in the USA without a prescription. Describing what medicine you need is another challenge when you cross the pond. For example, Americans swallow “acetaminophen” or the brand “Tylenol” and Britons take “paracetamol” or the brand “Panadol”, which as far as I can tell, are all the same thing.
Seeking medical help in the UK involves going to see your GP (short for General Practitioner) whereas Americans have “primary care physicians” or “our family doctor”. A Brit might say “I’m popping down to the surgery,” and an American imagines scalpels being sharpened for a serious operation but in the UK it is just a description of where the GPs work, check your blood pressure and write prescriptions for medicines you can’t get from the chemist…just a normal doctor’s office. Americans “schedule an appointment” but Britons “book in for next time.” Americans “check in” at reception and Britons “sign in.” I was quite pleased that due to George Clooney and other American TV imports I knew that in a medical emergency Americans go to the ER (short for Emergency Room) and dial ‘911’. In the UK we dial ‘999’ and go to ‘Casualty’ or “A&E,” short for the “Accident and Emergency” department of the local hospital.
As with most experiences in the USA, there is a much more upbeat and enthusiastic approach to pretty much everything. I soon figured out that when an American doctor says “You’re doing great” it does not mean that you are completely cured but just on track with the treatment plan. By comparison if a British doctor says that your situation is “not too bad,” you know that they are delighted with your progress. There is a lot more information at www. cdc.gov and www.britannica. com Now I am feeling better, I will leave you with a quote which is over 2,000 years old, from the ancient Roman poet, Virgil, “The greatest wealth is health”.
God Bless America!
Lesley grew up in London, England and made Georgia her home in 2009. She can be contacted at lesley@ lesleyfrancispr.com or via her PR and marketing agency at www.lesleyfrancispr.com