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.
TRANSPORT & AUTOMOTIVE
BRITISH |
AMERICAN |
Salon Car |
Sedan |
Estate Car |
Station Wagon |
Taxi Rank |
Cab Stand |
Banger |
Jalopy |
Zebra / Pelican Crossing |
Pedestrian Crossing, Crosswalk |
Lay-by |
Road Rest Stop |
Single |
One-way ticket |
Return |
Round-trip ticket |
Dual Carriageway |
Divided Highway |
Tin |
Food Can |
Dustbin, Bin |
Garbage Can, Waste Basket |
Bank Holiday |
Public Holiday |
Holidays |
Vacation |
Book |
Make A Reservation |
Guv, Guv'nor |
Someone w/ Higher Job or Social Standing, Chief, Boss |
Cotton Wool |
Cotton Balls / Batting |
Spanner |
(Monkey) Wrench |
Cheers, Tah |
Thank You |
Torch |
Flashlight |
Racialist |
Racist |
Enquiry |
Inquiry |
Assurance |
Insurance |
Tyre |
Tire (for a vehicle) |
Gaol |
Jail |
Bum, Arse |
Buttocks |
Cobblers, Bollocks |
Testicles |
Bristols |
Boobs, Tits, Knockers |
Mind the Gap |
Watch Your Step
(Train Boarding) |
Aeroplane |
Airplane |
JOBS & SHOPS
Green Grocer |
Fruit & Vegetable Store |
Fruiterers' |
Fruit Dealer |
Ironmongers' |
Hardware Store |
Fishmongers' |
Fish Store |
Joiner |
Carpenter |
Removal Service |
Movers |
Removal Van |
Moving Truck / Van |
Transport Cafe |
Truck Stop |
Chippie |
Fish & Chips Shop |
Chemist's |
Pharmacy, Drug Store |
EMPLOYMENT
& RETAIL
Redundant |
Unemployed, Layed-off |
Sacked |
Dismissed, Fired |
Value Added Tax / V.A.T. |
Sales Tax |
Dole |
Welfare |
Call on the Carpet |
Reprimand |
Bank Draught / Cheque |
Bank Check |
Hire Purchase |
Buy on Credit |
Current Account |
Checking Account |
Dear, Pricey |
Expensive |
Old Age Pensioner/OAP |
Senior Citizen / Retiree |
Straight On |
Straight Ahead |
Flyover |
Overpass |
Jumble Sale |
Garage / Church Fund Raising Sale |
Interval |
Intermission |
Lead |
Leash |
Walking Stick |
Cane |
Naughts & Crosses |
Tic-tac-toe |
Draughts |
Checkers |
Kiosk |
Booth (Phone, Ticket) |
Blower |
Phone |
Down Market |
Common, Cheap |
Up Market |
Classy, Upscale |
Buckle Your Seat Belt |
Belt Up / Buckle Up |
Belt Up |
Shut Up |
She's Gone By Her "Sell By" Date |
She's Too Old |
Artic |
Tractor Trailer |
Paraffin |
Kerosene |
Petrol |
Gasoline, Gas |
Filling Station |
Gas Station |
Skittles |
9 Pin Bowling |
Cheeky |
Brazen |
Chin-wag |
Conversation |
Smashing |
Wonderful |
Chum |
Buddy |
Bloke, Chap |
Man, Boy, Fellow |
Bugger |
Fellow, Jerk |
Bug(ger) Off/ Piss Off |
Take a Hike, Get Lost |
Snog |
Neck(ing) |
Fag |
Cigarette |
Minder |
Babysitter, Bodyguard |