British and American English are
very, very close, but over the centuries some differences have emerged.
Some are just differences of spelling (harbour/harbor, centre/center, etc.),
some are just in the pronunciation (e.g., schedule: shedule vs skedule),
but some are in the terminology. As in American English, a British
word can have several different meanings, depending upon usage (e.g., stone
- a measure of weight, a small rock or a fruit pit).
The
Brits have incorporated some French words, mostly about food, in their
daily usage. Some British and American colloquialisms and slang terms
in popular use are included in the tables below and they can be found in
use on either side of the Atlantic.
FOOD
BRITISH |
AMERICAN |
Muffin |
Biscuit |
Biscuit |
Cookie, Cracker |
Crisps |
Potato Chips |
Chips |
French Fries |
Bangers & Mash |
Sausage & Mashed
Potatoes |
Afters |
Desserts |
Starters |
Appetizers |
Pips |
Orange Pits, etc. |
Stone |
Peach Pit, etc. |
FOOD
Candy Floss |
Cotton Candy |
Sweets |
Candy |
Gateau |
Layer Cake |
Salt Beef |
Corned Beef |
Gammon |
Cured Ham |
Gammon Rashers |
Bacon Strips |
Bap |
Sandwich Bun / Roll |
Ice Lolly |
Popsicle, Icesicle |
Peckish |
Hungry |
Pilchards |
Sardines |
CLOTHING
Waistcoat |
Vest |
Vest |
Undershirt |
Plus Fours |
Knickers |
Knickers |
Panties |
Brolly |
Umbrella |
Face Flannel |
Wash Cloth |
Jumper |
Sweater |
Nappy |
Diaper |
Braces |
Suspenders |
Suspenders |
Garter Belt |
TRANSPORT & AUTOMOTIVE
Windscreen |
Windshield |
Boot |
Trunk (of a car) |
Bonnet |
Hood (of a car) |
Wing |
Fender |
Lorry |
Truck |
Roundabout |
Traffic Circle |
Car Park |
Parking Lot |
Motorway |
Freeway, Expressway |
High Street |
Main Drag |
A To Zed |
Street Map |
COMMUNITY & BUSINESS
Char, Char Woman |
Cleaning Lady |
Barrister |
Trial Lawyer |
Solicitor |
General Lawyer |
Commercial Traveller |
Solicitor, Travelling
Salesman |
Estate Agent |
Realtor |
Fire Brigade |
Fire Department |
State School |
Public School |
Public School |
Private School |
Post Code |
ZIP Code |
Pillar Box |
Mail Deposit Box |
PROPERTY & BUILDINGS
Flat |
Apartment |
Block of Flats |
Apartment Building |
Carsy, Bog |
Outhouse |
W.C., Loo, Lavatory |
Toilet |
En Suite |
Bedroom with
Bath & Toilet |
Lounge, Sitting
Room, Parlour |
Living Room |
Bedsit |
Studio Apartment |
Flat to Let |
Apartment for
Rent |
For Sale - Freehold |
Land and/or
Building For Sale |
Leasehold |
Very Long Term
Rental Contract |
HOUSEHOLD
2 Up, 2 Down |
2 Storey, 2 Bedroom Home |
Telly, Box |
TV, Boob Tube |
Valve |
Vacuum Tube (Radio, TV) |
Wireless |
Radio |
Electric Fire |
Electrical Heater |
Mains, Power Point |
Electric Outlet |
Washing Up Liquid |
Dishwashing Liquid |
Pram, Perambulator |
Baby Carriage |
Serviette |
Napkin |
Fridge |
Refrigerator |
Zed (rhymes w / Wed) |
Z (letter of alphabet) |
Father Christmas |
St. Nick, Santa Claus |
In The Nick |
In Jail / Prison |
In Good Nick |
In Good Shape |
Nicked |
Arrested, Stole, Stolen |
Pissed, Blotto, Legless |
Drunk, Souced, Smashed |
Pavement |
Sidewalk |
Kerb |
Curb |
Tube, Underground |
Subway, Metro |
Subway |
Pedestrian Underpass |
OFFICE
Ex-directory |
Unlisted Phone Number |
Guillotine |
Paper Cutter |
Lift |
Elevator |
Snaps |
Photos |
Diary |
Appointment Book |
Biro |
Ballpoint Pen |
Push Pin, Drawing Pin |
Thumb Tack |
Elastic Band |
Rubber Band |
Rubber |
Eraser |
Sheath |
Rubber, Condom |
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