I have 'translated' the language file for British users, with subscriptions several new words need changing such as cheque, as well as the usual colour, cancelled, 'ise etc.

This file is correct to b4

thanks for that, ian.

spellings aside, what about idioms? for me, they are actually more problematic than spellings. for instance, every time a new version of ubb threads comes out, i need to whack all the 'buddies' (ugh!) out of the system! as well as a few other terms which might be just fine in american english, but that absolutely rankle with other englishes!

Ok, I have to ask... What is wrong with "Buddies"? I'm absolutely on my toes trying to figure out what the "other englishes" refer to specific words as lol...

what's wrong with "friends"?

calling someone "buddy" where i come from will get you a bloodied nose!

I agree - I have got rid of a few - 'I want' for example I changed to 'I wish' (I think that is correct, as I am going from memory)

If you wish me to alter anything else let me know.

Yack!

"If you would like me to alter anything else let me know." flows better.

Actually, the use of want and wish are not interchangeable. It may appear to be the case but clearly they have entirely different meanings.

I think one of the biggest mistakes people make, is by saying...

"Can I have one of those....?"

Well - of course you can - anyone can....

The correct usage would be "May I have....."

oooh - then there's "I could care less" but I'd probably not get started, or I'll be typing all night and I can smell pork chops a cookin'

Still curious what "buddy" means to you guys... here it does mean "friend"...

Giz, it means friend here in UK also.

And although I'm not aware of anyone in the UK using the term 'buddy' (except perhaps people who watch a great deal of US tv) - we all understand it.

The closest I'm aware of, is in Wales. There the term is butty (emphasis on the 't') and there it means "close friend", "mate" or something similar.

Predominantly I think, we aware of the word from its usage in US movies and perhaps as a hangover from WW2 troops stationed here.

No bad connotations at all

in contemporary use, calling someone 'buddy' in britain and the antipodes usually heralds the commencement of an all-out brawl. it means 'friend' in the most hostile of manners!

Context of sentence

HEY BUDDY!!! (not nice)

Hey, let's buddy up on this and get it taken care of.

I saw you're buddy the other day and he said to say "Hi".

Is this really english ?

"We [British and Americans] are two countries separated by a common language." -- G.B. Shaw

I've never heard buddy used in the UK.
And I've only heard it used (outside of movies) overseas.
I've used the term myself whilst scuba diving.
(In its most positive context - the buddy system)

If someone called me buddy, I would have no reason to construe it as offensive.

I think the last time I used it was when CB radio was legalised in the UK in 1983.

So do we consider 'friend' to be better that 'buddy'?

I wouldn't say 'better'.

I use the word friend for very close 'friends', people who I trust and have known for years.

I suppose I would use buddy in a similar fashion to mate, chum, mucker etc - someone who I'd enjoy a pint with but wouldn't share my murky secrets with.

So leave it as 'buddy'?

I'd go with buddy - and thanks for the effort put in

10-4, good .... ummm ... mate.

The Buddy system

The Buddy system is where you look after the person next to you

Buddy / friend all the same to me.

Just depends who's saying it.

echo echo echo

quack

Sure thing buddy