In our recent post, we saw the differences between British and American spelling. The difference between British English (BrE) and American English (AmE) doesn't end only in the spelling. Entire words may be different; a word used in BrE may have an entirely different spelling and set of meanings in AmE, and some words with the same spelling can have entirely different meanings.
For instance, there is no 'ground floor' in AmE, which means 'first floor' is the ground floor itself, and the floor above it is 'second floor', while the floor above the ground floor is called 'first floor' in BrE. Another example is 'bill'. In AmE, 'bill' is a banknote, while in BrE, 'bill' is an invoice of products and services offered.
Here we have a table with several words in the British English and their corresponding American English words.
The Table
Conclusion
Make sure you bookmark the list and use the appropriate word, depending on your audience. Always refer a dictionary when you are in confusion.
Important Note: If you are not seeing the table in good formatting, please visit the blog to view it. In RSS feeds, the table style will not be visible.
Copyright © Lenin Nair 2008
For instance, there is no 'ground floor' in AmE, which means 'first floor' is the ground floor itself, and the floor above it is 'second floor', while the floor above the ground floor is called 'first floor' in BrE. Another example is 'bill'. In AmE, 'bill' is a banknote, while in BrE, 'bill' is an invoice of products and services offered.
Here we have a table with several words in the British English and their corresponding American English words.
The Table
| British English Word | American English Counterpart | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| aerial | antenna | |
| anywhere | anyplace | The same goes for somewhere |
| aubergine | eggplant | |
| autocue | teleprompter | autocue/teleprompter is the device that shows lines of text for newsreaders |
| autumn | fall | |
| banknote/currency note | bill | In UK, the word bill is a note of charges for products/services offered, which in AmE is invoice |
| barrister/lawyer/solicitor | attorney/lawyer | In AmE, solicitor is a top legal officer |
| biscuit | cracker/cookie | To mean the explosive cartridge, use the word firecracker |
| bonnet | hood | |
| break time | recess | |
| boot | trunk | |
| braces | suspenders | Suspenders may also be called stockings |
| car park | parking lot | |
| chemical shop/pharmacy/chemist's | drugstore | |
| chips | french fries | In AmE, chips still exists, but it is used for the BrE term, crisps |
| cinema | the movies/movie theater | Cinema is the place where films are exhibited. In UK, it can also mean movie industry. In India, the word theater is more widely used for cinema. |
| constable | patrolman | |
| cooker | stove | |
| cot | crib | |
| cotton | thread | |
| crash | wreck | |
| crossroads | intersection | |
| curtains | drapes | |
| diversion | detour | |
| drawing pin | thumbtack | |
| dustbin | trashcan/garbage can | |
| dustman | garbage collector | |
| dynamo | generator | |
| engine | motor | |
| estate | station wagon | Estate here is a large vehicle, and not the land property |
| film | movie | |
| flat | apartment | |
| flyover/overbridge | overpass | |
| football | soccer | In the UK, the rugby is known as American football. Other terms like rugby, rugby football, etc., are also used. |
| garden | yard | |
| grill | broiler | |
| ground floor | first floor | Yes, in American English, there is no ground floor. |
| gym shoe/trainers | sneakers | Trainers or sneakers is a better word than gym shoe. |
| hand brake | emergency brake | |
| holiday | vacation | |
| ill | sick | |
| interval | intermission | |
| jersey/jumper/pullover | sweater | |
| knickers | panties | |
| ladybird | ladybug | |
| lift | elevator | |
| lorry | truck | |
| luggage | baggage | These words should be used in singular. In plural form, it should be 'pieces of luggage'. |
| main road | highway | |
| mate/bloke | dude/guy | |
| maths | math | |
| motorway | superhighway/expressway | |
| nappy | diaper | |
| newsagent | newsdealer | Newsagent is anyone that sells newspapers at newsstands. |
| optician | optometrist | |
| paraffin | kerosene | |
| pavement | sidewalk | |
| peep | peek | |
| petrol | gasoline/gas | There are other words like 'gas station', which is 'petrol station' in UK. |
| post | ||
| postbox | mailbox | |
| postman | mailman/mail carrier | |
| pub | bar | |
| toilet/loo | restroom | Loo is a rather less-used term in UK to mean toilet. There is also the term, 'bathroom'. |
| pal/mate | buddy | |
| postcode/postal code | ZIP code | ZIP is acronym for Zone Improvement Program |
| pushchair/buggy | stroller | Pushchair is a baby's carriage. |
| queue | line | |
| railway | railroad | |
| rise | raise | This is especially in the case of salary |
| saloon | sedan | Sedan is a type of car. |
| shop | store | |
| silencer | muffler | Muffler is the device attached to firearms to silence shots. |
| sophister | sophomore | Sophister is a second-year undergraduate in the UK. |
| spanner | wrench | |
| staff | faculty | This is especially true in the case of staff of the universities or other educational institutions. |
| sweet | dessert | |
| sweets | candy/confectionery | |
| tap | faucet | |
| taxi | cab | In Indian English, you will find the word taxicab in widespread use. |
| tea towel | dishtowel/dishcloth | |
| term | semester | |
| tights | pantyhose | |
| timetable | schedule | |
| tin | can | |
| toll road | turnpike | Toll road is a road in which a toll (a fee) is levied to use. |
| torch | flashlight | |
| tram | streetcar | |
| tramp | hobo | |
| trousers | pants | |
| underground railroad/underground railway | subway | Underground road is also called subway. |
| undertaker | funeral director/mortician | Definitely I am not a fan of 'funeral director'. |
| vest/singlet/waistcoat | undershirt | |
| windscreen | windshield | |
| zebra crossing | pedestrian crossing/crosswalk | Zebra crossing comes from the fact that the crossing areas in roads have white stripes as a zebra. |
Conclusion
Make sure you bookmark the list and use the appropriate word, depending on your audience. Always refer a dictionary when you are in confusion.
Important Note: If you are not seeing the table in good formatting, please visit the blog to view it. In RSS feeds, the table style will not be visible.
Copyright © Lenin Nair 2008
well, the one I like best is : to stand for parliament/to run for congress.
ReplyDeletefag is fun too but ancient: cigarette (as in I'm on 20 fags a day)/gay
ass: the braying animal)/well, you know
I'll knock you up in the morning (making pregnant) etc
This made me laugh as I posted something similar on my site recently. I'm neither British, nor American, but I have noticed the marked differences in the supposedly shared language. One thing that I do find funny is the American penchant for elongating the vowels when using European words. A couple of examples, pasta becomes Parsta, Milan becomes Milarn!
ReplyDeleteBut Mike, neither Parsta nor Milarn is a word! In AmE. Thanks for the comment anyway.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how many times I read these lists, it's always good for a refresher course and I generally learn something new. I also found the style guide that the Economist provides its journalists, which is quite British and has a section on "Americanisms":
ReplyDeletehttp://translation-blog.trustedtranslations.com/the-economist-cracks-down-on-americanisms-2009-01-22.html
As an American I'd argue that several of the British terms on the list are used as much, or more, than the American versions by Americans, such as pharmacy/drugstore and autumn/fall. A few more examples: I've only heard turnpike used when part of a road name e.g. New Jersey Turnpike. I've always used toll roads otherwise. I would've called the gun thing a silencer; I thought mufflers were only the things on car exhausts. I should apologize for being picky because plenty of the comparisons named are spot-on.
ReplyDeleteThose posts are really helpful. I'd really love to know the difference between American and British short stories. Can anybody help me please?
ReplyDelete