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Two nations divided by a common language
Lancashire Evening Post
|November 22, 2025
An American woman married to a Lancastrian has revealed the British words and phrases she was "baffled" by when she moved - including "lollipop lady" and "taking the mick".
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Ashley Jackson, 42, moved from Austin, Texas, USA, in April 2022 with her husband Andi, 40, from Preston, after they wanted “better opportunities” for their children Levon, six and Matilda, four.
Since settling into life in she had to learn British phrases including “lollipop lady”, “arse” and “taking the mick”.
Ashley feels Brits are “great” at abbreviations and enjoys “dissecting” the language.
The librarian said: “You guys are really great at slang and I absolutely love it.
“So many words pop up in daily conversation and I take note, or I'll look to my husband and he'll explain to me.
“Taking the mick-I think my mother-in-law, Pam, first used that term.
“I was like, ‘What?
Where are we going? What are we doing?’
This story is from the November 22, 2025 edition of Lancashire Evening Post.
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