There are many English words which are different to American words.
For example:
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A lorry is a truck.
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A lift is an elevator.
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A fortnight is two weeks.
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A chemist is a person who works in a drugstore.
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A dual carriageway is a divided highway.
Lisa and Sofia Efthymiou, an American mum and daughter, have listed below a few of the differences between British and American words.
We have arranged the words in categories to make viewing easier for school work.
Clothes
In England, we would be embarrassed if people saw our pants. why?
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British English
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American English
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Trousers
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Pants
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Pants / Underwear / Knickers
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Underwear / panties
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Jumper / Pullover / Sweater /
Jersey
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Sweater
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Pinafore Dress
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Jumper
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Vest
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Undershirt
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Waistcoat
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Vest
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Wellington Boots / Wellies
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Galoshes
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Mac (slang for Macintosh)
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Rain Coat
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Plimsolls
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Gym Shoes
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Trainers / Plimsolls / Pumps
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Sneakers
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Braces
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Suspenders
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Dressing Gown
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Robe
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Nappy
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Diaper
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Pinny / Apron
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Apron
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Polo Neck
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Turtle Neck
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Dressing Gown
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Bath Robe
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Swimming costume / Cozzy
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Bathing Suit
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At School- On ther road
At School
"Stop mucking around and get on with your work," shouted the teacher to two students who were off task.
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British English
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American English
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Friend / Mate
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Friend
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Glue
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Gum
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Rubber
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Eraser
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Maths
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Math
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Public School
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Private School
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State School
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Public School
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Holiday
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Vacation
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School dinner
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Hot Lunch
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Staff Room
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Teachers Lounge
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Plimsolls
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Gym Shoes
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"Mucking Around" / Off Task
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Off Task / Fooling Around /
"Goofing Off"
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Play Time / Break Time
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Recess
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Open Day / Open Evening
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Open House
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Marking Scheme
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Grading Scheme
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Drawing pins
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pushpins or thumbtacks
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On the Road
In England, we drive slowly over sleeping policemen.
Are we afraid of waking them up?
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British English
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American English
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Sleeping Policeman
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Speed bump
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Car park
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Parking Lot
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Car Journey
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Road Trip
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Zebra Crossing / Pedestrian Crossing
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Cross Walk
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Lollipop Man or Lady
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Crossing Guard
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Motorway
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Freeway
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Traffic Jam / Tailback
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Traffic Jam
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Lorry
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Truck
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Articulated Lorry
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Tractor Trailer /
Trailer Truck
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Petrol
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Gas / Gasoline
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Pavement
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Sidewalk
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Petrol Station
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Gas Station
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Skip
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Dumpster
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Diversion
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Detour
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Fire Engine
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Fire Truck
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Phone Box
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Telephone Booth
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Buildings-shops-food-parts of car
Buildings / Shops
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British English
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American English
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Semi-Detached House
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Duplex
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Flat
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Apartment
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Terrace
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Town House
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Chemist
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Drug Store / Druggist
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Cafe / Caffs (not 24 hrs)
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Diner
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Bungalow
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House (one story)
Ranch House
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Food
Are you Peckish? (Are you Hungry?)
What's for afters? Have you had your pudding yet?
Are you feeling peckish (hungry)?
That food looks very scrummy (delicious)
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British English
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American English
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Biscuit / Bickie
(A cookie is a large biscuit)
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Cookie
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Scone
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Biscuit
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Fairy Cake
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Cup Cake
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Courgette
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Zucchini
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Sweets
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Candy
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Sausage / Banger
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Sausage
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Crisps
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Potato Chips
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Chips
(French Fries in McDonald's)
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French Fries
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Starter
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Appetizer
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Puddings / Afters / Dessert /
Sweets
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Dessert
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Jacket Potato / Baked Potato
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Baked Potato
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Jam
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Jelly
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Jelly
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Jello
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Aubergine
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Eggplant
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Sandwich / Butty / Sarny
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Sandwich
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Ice lolly
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Popsicle
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Bill (at restaurant)
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check
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Grill
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Broil
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Food / Grub / Nosh
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Food
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Rasher
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A slice of bacon
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Eggy bread (fried)
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French Toast
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Runner beans
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Green beans
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Soldiers
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Finger sized slices of toast.
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Take-away
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Take out
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Scotch Pancakes
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Flapjacks
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Flapjacks in England are oats mixed with honey and/or golden syrup and baked then cut into slices. sometimes raisins are added to the mixture.
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Parts of a Car
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British English
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American English
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Bonnet
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Hood
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Windscreen
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Windshield
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Boot
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Trunk
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Reversing lights
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Back-up lights
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Exhaust pipe
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Tail pipe
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Bumper
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Fender
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In and around the house-People-Sports-Others
In and around the House
I watch the telly whilst lying on the settee.
Whilst is used in British English. It is another word for while
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British English
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American English
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The Toilet / Loo / The John /
Bog / WC / Visiting the little boys (little girl's room).
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Bathroom / Restroom
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Bathroom - the room where the bath is. If you asked us for the bathroom we will think you want to have a bath!
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Tap
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Faucet
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Garden
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Backyard / Yard
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Wardrobe
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Closet
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Bin / Dust Bin
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Trash Can
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Telephone / Blower / Phone
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Telephone
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Television / Box / Telly/ TV
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TV / Television
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Cooker
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Range or Stove
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Couch / Sofa / Settee
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Sofa
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Hand Basin / Sink
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Sink
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Run the bath
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Fill the tub
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People
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British English
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American English
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Girl / Lass
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Girl
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Boy / Lad
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Boy
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Man / Bloke / Gentleman / Guy /
Chap
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Man / Guy
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Lady / Woman
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Lady
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Policeman / Bobby / Copper
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Policeman / Cop
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Postman
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Mailman
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Dustman
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Garbage Man
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Friend / Pal / Chum / Mate /
Buddy
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Friend / Buddy
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Cashier
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Teller
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Lollypop Man
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Crossing Guard
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Nutter
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Crazy Person
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Mum
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Mom
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Sport
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British English
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American English
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Football
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Soccer
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Rounders
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Baseball
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Bat (table tennis)
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Paddle (ping pong)
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Other Words
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Other Words
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British English
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American English
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Plaster
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Band-Aid
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Autumn
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Fall
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Bank Holiday
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National Holiday
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Lift
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Elevator
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Queue
There's a queue.
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Stand in a Line
There's a line.
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Quid (slang for pound)
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Bucks
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Surgery
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Doctor's office
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Trodden on
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Stepped on
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I'm knackered
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I'm Beat
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Kip
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sleep
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Nick
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steal
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Wireless / Radio
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Radio
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Starkers
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Naked
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Come round
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Come over
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Off you go
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Go ahead
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It's gone off
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It's spoiled
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Lady bird
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Lady bug
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From: http://esl.about.com
