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American vs. English Language
Posted by Claudio on April 19, 2010 in English Language | ∞
“America and England are two countries divided by a common language.”
George Bernard Shaw
Below are some of the most common words that are different between British English and American English:
| American | English |
|---|---|
| aisle | gangway |
| antenna | aerial (radio/TV) |
| apartment | flat |
| argument | row |
| baby carriage | pram (perambulator) |
| band-aid | plaster |
| bathroom | loo |
| bathrobe | dressing gown |
| bill | bank note |
| break | recess |
| briefs (male underwear) | pants |
| broil | grill |
| cab | taxi |
| call (phone) | ring up (phone) |
| can | tin |
| candy | sweets |
| candy store | sweet shop/confectioner |
| caravan | convoy |
| carnival | fair |
| chopped liver | minced liver |
| check (restaurant) | bill (restaurant) |
| checking account | current account |
| checkers | draughts |
| check room | cloakroom |
| closet | cupboard |
| closet | wardrobe |
| cookie | biscuit (sweet) |
| corn | maize |
| corn starch | corn flour |
| crazy | mad |
| diaper | nappy |
| (do the) dishes | wash up |
| downtown | centre |
| drapes | curtains |
| druggist/pharmacist | chemist |
| drugstore/pharmacy | chemist’s shop |
| eggplant | aubergine |
| electric cord | cable/wire |
| elevator | lift |
| eraser | rubber |
| faculty | staff |
| fall | autumn |
| faucet | tap |
| fender | bumper |
| first floor | ground floor |
| flashlight | torch |
| freeway/highway | motorway |
| French fries | chips |
| freshman (at university) | 1st year undergraduate |
| garbage/trash | rubbish |
| garbage can/trash can | dustbin |
| gas | petrol |
| gas station | petrol station/filling station |
| guy | bloke |
| hardware store | ironmonger |
| highway | mainroad |
| hood (car) | bonnet |
| incorporated | limited |
| intersection | crossroads |
| janitor | caretaker |
| jello | jelly |
| jelly | jam |
| kerosene | paraffin |
| lawyer/attorney | solicitor |
| lease/rent | let |
| legal holiday | bank holiday |
| license plate | number plate |
| line | queue |
| liquor | spirits |
| mad | angry |
| post | |
| mail box/mail drop | pillar box |
| mailman | postman |
| make reservation | book |
| mall | shopping centre |
| motor | engine |
| movie | film |
| movie theater | cinema |
| muffler | silencer |
| napkin | serviette |
| nothing | nought |
| one way ticket | single ticket |
| overpass | flyover |
| pacifier | dummy |
| package | parcel |
| panties | knickers |
| pantyhose | tights |
| pants | trousers |
| parking lot | car park |
| period | full stop |
| pharmacist | chemist |
| pitcher | jug |
| potato chips | crisps |
| president (business) | chairman |
| principal | headmaster/headmistress |
| private school | public school/private school |
| public school | state school |
| railroad | railway |
| raisin | sultana |
| rent | hire |
| restroom | toilet |
| round trip ticket | return ticket |
| rubber | contraceptive |
| sales clerk | shop assistant |
| sausage | banger |
| schedule | time-table |
| scotch tape | sellotape |
| second floor | first floor |
| sedan | saloon car |
| semester | term |
| shoestring | bootlace/shoelace |
| sidewalk | pavement/footpath |
| sneakers | trainers |
| soccer | football |
| sophomore | 2nd year undergraduate |
| stand in line/line up | queue |
| station wagon | estate car |
| store | shop |
| stroller | pushchair |
| subway | underground |
| sunglasses | shades |
| sweater | jumper/pullover |
| tag | label |
| tank top | vest |
| transmission | gearbox |
| trash can | bin |
| truck | lorry |
| trunk | boot |
| two weeks | fortnight |
| undershirt | vest |
| vacation | holiday |
| vacuum (cleaner) | hoover |
| vest | waistcoat |
| 18-wheeler | juggernaut |
| windshield | windscreen |
| wire | telegram |
| wrench | spanner |
| yard | garden |
| ZIP code | postal code |
Worthwhile Causes
