Isn't it strange that in the US fanny is your bottom?

Question

and over here UK it's a name for womans bits!!!!! That could be an embarrassing situation!!

don't you call them fanny packs

Answer 1

Yep, my sister couldn't believe it when her brother-in-law started talking about fanny bags. We call them bum bags.

Mind you, it does work both ways. Yanks give me a very funny look when I tell them I get through 20 fags a day (cigarette).

Answer 2

It sounds strange, that's true, but it is far from unusual.

In every language there will be connotations assigned to words or phrases that do not have anything to do with the original, legitimate, meaning. The reasons for it are innumberable, as they could come up in a bar, and be heard by someone famous who repeats them....and away it goes.

Often, this will be regional, so the patois, argot or slang of a certain region could differ significantly from others within the same country, but it is highly common for some to be come national, over time.

The rate of incidence has increased dramatically
with television and games.

Answer 3

A woman's "bits"(what is that)? How can Fanny be any stranger than calling it a "bum"? We call people out of work and looking for handouts "bums"... I remember when the word Gay, meant nothing more than just being happy!

Answer 4

I've never heard that, but it could be some Southern thing.
The dialect has many strange words. (sweeper, pop, spiget, etc.)

But, yes, that could be a weird situation.

Answer 5

in US we dont call bottoms "fanny" anymore. only the old crowd. we call them "bum" "butt" "a**"" or "tush"

no one makes or wears fannypacks anymore

Answer 6

don't ask a US girl if you can knock her up in the morning ---- here that means to make them pregnant

Answer 7

yes