A content creator based in the US who knows a lot about the UK and British culture has highlighted a single word he claims Americans find confusing, even though it’s commonly used across the UK
A man from the US who has visited the UK several times recently highlighted a word that often confuses Americans. Although both countries share the English language, there are notable differences in how certain words are used and understood.
English is widely spoken around the world, but variations in spelling, vocabulary, and pronunciation are common. Kalani Smith, a TikTok creator from Tennessee, has become known online for his humorous takes on British culture, especially its food and drink. Thanks to his regular trips to the UK, he’s picked up on many uniquely British expressions and customs that often puzzle American tourists.
In a recent TikTok video he stated: “There’s one British word that makes absolutely zero sense to Americans.
“My name is Kalani and I’ve spent a lot of time in the UK and one word that it took me a minute to get used to was cheeky.”
Kalani clarified that in America, if someone labels a person as ‘cheeky’, they typically mean “sarcastic or rude”, but in the UK, there are “so many effective uses of the word cheeky.”
The content creator provided some examples of how ‘cheeky’ is uses in Britain, including a “cheeky pint”, “I’m going for a cheeky smoke” and the infamous “cheeky Nando’s.”
He continued: “It turns out that cheeky means something a little fun, a little naughty, a little spontaneous and the Brits have mastered its usage in this context, like you probably shouldn’t but you are going to anyway.”
The TikToker went on to explain that a perfect example of ‘cheeky’ would be if you’re on a diet and you pop out to grab a “cheeky sausage roll.”
Kalani characterised this as one of the “fun differences” in the English language between the UK and America as it involves taking the same word but using it in a “vastly” different way.
He rounded up the clip by asking Brits about their use of the word ‘cheeky. ‘ In the caption of his post, he wrote: “This British word makes zero sense to Americans.”
The video has attracted thousands of views, likes and comments, with viewers quickly joining the discussion.
A Brit in the comments section simply explained: “Cheeky = a cute naughtiness.”
Another user remarked: “If a child is being cute you can say she’s being cheeky or look at that cheeky face or it can mean the opposite.
“If a child is giving backchat you can say stop being so cheeky!” A supporter of the term ‘cheeky’ contributed: “Cheeky is such a great word.
“Cheeky monkey is a bit of taking the p***. The cheek of her or him can mean pushing your luck. Cheeky chops for a mischievous toddler or child.”
A fourth user revealed: “I say cheeky so and so when someone says something sarcastic.”
