Relocating to a foreign nation can be one of the most intimidating undertakings one can embark upon. Variations in customs, dialects, conduct, and a multitude of other unforeseen elements can render acclimatising to a new abode exceedingly arduous. A particular British lady who relocated to the USA encountered an unforeseen predicament when she made a reference to something that every Brit would comprehend – yet it left her American companions entirely bewildered.
Lucy, who frequents TikTok under the handle lucy_inlalaland, is an educator from the UK now residing in Los Angeles, California, and she frequently shares her observations regarding the distinctions between the two cultures. In a recent video, she discussed a surprising instance where she employed a phrase that she hadn’t realised would be entirely foreign to Americans.
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In her video, she articulated: “I am English but I reside in America, and last evening I uttered something in the presence of a group of individuals that simply did not translate for Americans at all. I prepared a salsa for an Oscars viewing event, and it contained a profusion of vegetables.
“So [I said] ‘ah ha ha enjoy that, it’s got all of your five a day in it’ and everyone was like ‘what?’ I was like ‘your five a day?’
“And my husband looked at me and he said ‘I believe that’s only a custom in England’.
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“So yes, your five a day. We are all aware of what that entails, Brits, but the rest of the world, they are unfamiliar with it. But you require your five a day.”
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Naturally, five a day refers to governmental health guidance and the NHS suggesting that everyone should consume a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables daily to ensure adequate nutrient and vitamin intake. The guidance, initially issued by the World Health Organisation, was officially adopted by the UK Government in 2003, and has since become part of everyday vernacular.
Individuals in the comments section expressed a variety of opinions. One commenter stated: “British person residing in the States, and indeed, that expression is entirely unknown! That said… I am somewhat intrigued (read: concerned) about numerous vegetables in salsa… I mean, apart from onions, what other vegetables are you incorporating?!?”
Another shared: “I am employed by a US firm and I frequently utter phrases, causing me to panic that the US colleagues won’t comprehend. Today it was ‘had my fingers in so many pies,’ but thankfully they grasped my meaning.”
However, another individual commented: “I am in NY (New York) and I would have certainly understood it. I feel it’s a relatively common saying. I thought it was based on the US food pyramid.” And another wrote: “It translates perfectly well… I get it, though I wouldn’t ever say it.”
@lucy_inlalaland
Distinctively English expressions. Do any Americans understand what I mean? #britsabroad #california #uktousa
What You Know – Two Door Cinema Club What constitutes your five-a-day?
According to the NHS, the following items count as one serving towards your five a day:
- 80g of fresh, tinned, or frozen fruit or vegetables
- 30g of dried fruit
Multiple servings of either of these can be consumed to achieve the five-a-day objective. For instance, three servings of fresh fruit and two of dried fruit would equate to five servings. These do not need to be eaten independently – they are counted when incorporated into a meal, such as in a stew, soup, or pasta sauce.
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These are counted as only one serving in a single day, irrespective of the quantity consumed:
- 150ml of fruit juice, vegetable juice, or smoothies. These are counted as only one serving due to their elevated sugar content.
- 80g of beans and pulses. While these are an excellent source of fibre, they contain fewer nutrients compared to fruits or vegetables.
Potatoes do not contribute towards your five a day. Although they contain vitamins B and C, fibre, and potassium, they are typically utilised in meals as a carbohydrate source, akin to bread, pasta, and rice. Consequently, they are not included in the five a day recommendation. Yams, plantain, and cassava also do not count, but sweet potatoes, parsnips, swedes, and turnips do.