Common Language

Helen and Gavin take a look at the similarities, differences, and origins of putting the clocks back or forward in the US and the UK, how it has little if anything to do with farmers, question the motives of a certain Benjamin Franklin, and take a broad look at some of the more curious time zones scattered around the globe.

Helen and Gavin take a look at the similarities, differences, and origins of Halloween in the US and the UK, what we all mean when we ask trick or treat, and why an old classmate of Gavin's should always be at the back of line dooking for apples.

Helen and Gavin take a look at the differences and similarities between UK and US weddings and Gavin finally understands why Helen shoved cake in his face.

Helen and Gav have a look at the differences between monetary units used in the US and the UK, attempting to put some sense around pre-decimalization in the UK, figuring out just why a nickel is bigger than a dime, and why exactly they are called dollars and pounds anyway.

Helen and Gav have a look at the differences and similarities between imperial and metric. Does the US resist the metric system, or does it accept it on the down low? Have a wee listen to find out!

Helen and Gav are back from their summer break with a new episode that couldn't be closer to the cultural zeitgeist if it tried - vegetables. Confused about mangetout and sugar snap peas, eggplant and aubergine? We walk through the linguistic minefield for you as we ease ourselves into season two.

It's our season one finale where we talk about the differences between lawyers in the US and solicitors in the UK and touch on other aspects of the legal system and some strange, outdated laws that exist on both sides of the Atlantic. We'll be back in September with season two and may drop little tidbits between then and now. Until then, if there's any subject you'd like us to cover, send us an email to commonlanguagepodcast@hotmail.com. Be sure not to ask us why it's hotmail. Have a great summer, thanks for your support this year, and we'll speak to you all soon!

Helen and Gav tackle another food episode, comparing the differences between US and UK chocolate, which is not without its controversies. And in a Common Language first, at the halfway point we have a live taste test where Gav reacts to sampling his first ever bar of Hershey's.

In this episode, Helen and Gavin briefly suspend their disbelief to discuss the various legendary creatures that inhabit the Great Lakes, and compare it with one of Scotland's main exports, the Loch Ness Monster. They also talk about Scooby Doo. And Ted Danson.

There are many differences between the US and UK models for health care. One makes more sense than the others. To us, at least. Guess which one.

The Oscars happened recently. Gav wanted to bet on them. He couldn't. And so, episode 16 of Common Language was born, looking at the differences in gambling regulations within the US and how those compare with the UK.

It's our New Year's episode where we talk about the differences between an American New Year's Eve and a Scottish Hogmanay. And we do so in a hotel room in Connecticut, so please forgive, or enjoy, some of the additional background noises. Thanks to everyone who has downloaded and listened in 2018! Hope you all have a great 2019!

Is Christmas different between the US and the UK? Listen to the podcast to find out.

Helen and Gavin discuss the differences between special "big feast" holidays in the US and Scotland. Warning -- Gav reads out Burns' poetry and he isn't even sorry,

Helen and Gavin discuss the differences in the electoral systems in the US and UK. They also touch on the results of recent referenda. 

Helen and Gavin discuss the cultural differences of offering gratuities for services received, mostly from wait staff in restaurants and bars but also scaling the heights of taxis, Ubers, bellhops, hotel maids, and Gavin's barber.

Helen and Gavin discuss the origins of the final letter of the alphabet and also look at date formats. It's the one you've been waiting for!

Helen and Gavin turn their eye to the differences between how the US and the UK treat potatoes. And also the methods that said potato gets chopped up. Lovely stuff.

Helen and Gavin turn their eye to the differences in clothing terminologies on both sides of the Atlantic, which somehow manages to encompass Wimpy restaurant dessert selections from the 70s, a double mention of Mark Twain, and a clothing faux pas at Glacier Nation Park's gift shop.

Helen and Gavin investigate the differences in American and British spellings, plus Gav decides to go off on a tangent regarding the way Britishisms are working their way into the American lexicon, and how Gavinisms are working their way into his workplace lexicon. It's bloody outrageous. Ooft!