If a British Doctor Invites You to ‘Surgery,’ Should You Be Worried?

By | Posted on September 20th, 2011

11. Sick vs. Vomit

Credit: AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty

Many Britons call the act of vomiting “being sick,” and call vomit itself “sick.” Sample usage: “My American cousin left sick all down the interior of my Mini!”

Not to fear, though. The British do use the noun form of “sick” to also mean “unwell,” and saying “I am sick” means the same thing in both countries, with nothing to do with vomiting, per se. That said, if you regrettably have to throw up while visiting England, don’t be surprised if people volunteer to help “clean up your sick.”

NEXT: When a British doctor says a patient is “gorked,” what is that?

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