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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 |