I've always thought that both "bathroom" and "restroom" were odd words to use to describe a room with a toilet or a urinal. Rarely would I ask someone where their bathroom is, and then intend to take a bath there, but I am also unlikely to be resting. The word "toilet," as used to describe the room seems a bit coarse, but probably more accurate than "bathroom" or "restroom."
My grandmother always called a public restroom a "comfort station" or the "ladies lounge". I have an ad in an old women's magazine that says: "Don't ask for toilet paper, ask for Scott Tissue. It's the proper thing to do!" In colonial times, the outhouse was referred to as the "Necessary House".
It's not a slang word, but what about the word Fortnight?..meaning 2 weeks.... I was asked by an American friend what fortnight meant...I had no idea it wasn't used in every English speaking country?
Do you know where Batman and Robin go during commercials and station breaks? That's right......the bat room.
I just recently ran upon a phrase in British English that I have not heard. What does "being on your uppers" mean?
It means down on your luck , very poor, someone whose soles of shoes have literally worn away..hence down on your uppers... These days it tends to mean those who are broke , particularly suddenly or for a short time.. ... rather than literally so poor they have no shoes!!
Thanks, @Holly Saunders. From the context it seemed that might be the meaning, but I had never seen it in print before.
OK how about the V sign. Think its only the English who do it. Goes back to the Archers who were caught by the French. The frogs cut a finger off So we in battle against showed this. http://www.stgeorges.co.uk/blog/rude-hand-gestures-in-the-uk-flicking-the-vs
"The term sling your hook is polite way of telling someone to go away. This term has a nautical origin. Hook was a name given to the ship's anchor, and the sling was the cradle that housed the anchor. Therefore, to sling your hook meant to lift anchor, stow it and sail away."