Guest Author - Marie Rippel
It is fascinating for children and adults alike to see the differences in word choices between American and British English. When my family was traveling in England, our tour guide would chuckle at our American choice of words. Likewise, we enjoyed hearing her refer to dustbins, lorries, and the boot of the car.
Assembled here is a list of words that refer to the same thing in American and British English. Enjoy!
American term / British term
apartment / flat
baby carriage / pram
backpack / rucksack
bobby pin / hair grip
check (in a restaurant) / bill (in a restaurant)
cookie / biscuit (sweet)
cracker or biscuit / biscuit (unsweetened)
crisps / potato chips
deck (of cards) / pack (of cards)
detour / diversion
diaper / nappy
downtown / centre (city)
dress / frock
elevator / lift
eraser / rubber
faucet / tap
first floor / ground floor
flashlight / torch
football / soccer
French fries / chips
garbage can / dustbin
gas / petrol
grades / marks
vacation / holiday
ice cream / ice
lawyer or attorney / solicitor
leash / lead
line / queue
mail / post
mashed potatoes / mash
mom / mum
parcel / package
penny / pence
pharmacy / chemist’s shop
principal / headmaster
public school / state school
raincoat / mackintosh
realtor / estate agent
restroom / toilet or loo (most common)
run (for public office) / stand (for public office)
sausage (a thicker sausage) / bangers
second floor / first floor
shot (vaccination) / jab
stove / cooker
suspenders / braces
swim suit / bathing costume
take-out or carry-out food / take-away food
tennis shoes or gym shoes / trainers
truck / lorrie
trunk (of a car) / boot (of a car)
underwear / pants
vacuum cleaner / hoover
wash cloth / face flannel
windshield / windscreen
zee (last letter of alphabet) / zed
zucchini / courgette
If you have more words to add to this list, please email me. I'd like to hear from you. And if you've had any funny encounters caused by American/British word choices, let me know!
