In reply to:

I caused puzzlement in a Brit chum when I metioned that I wanted to "wash up" after we had been to a local street fair and before we ventured out for the evening ... and learned that in Brit-speak "washing up" is to wash the dishes after a meal.
Oh, the joys of a common language!

An example oft-quoted when I was at university of a phrase which could give wildly differing images on opposite sides of the Atlantic was "washing up in vest and pants", which on one side means washing the dishes whilst only wearing one's underwear, while on the other I understand it means washing one's face and hands whilst more formally attired.

Bingley


Bingley