Differences us & br english
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This document provides a comparison of common words used in British English versus American English. It lists over 50 word pairs with the British term first followed by the equivalent American term and sometimes additional comments. The purpose is to highlight linguistic differences between the two main variants of the English language.
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Differences us & br english
- 1. The Table British English Word American English Counterpart Comments aerial antenna anywhere anyplace The same goes for somewhere aubergine eggplant autocue teleprompter autocue/teleprompter is the device that shows lines of text for newsreaders autumn fall banknote/curre ncy note bill In UK, the word bill is a note of charges for products/services offered, which in AmE is invoice barrister/lawyer /solicitor attorney/lawyer In AmE, solicitor is a top legal officer biscuit cracker/cookie To mean the explosive cartridge, use the word firecracker bonnet hood break time recess boot trunk
- 2. braces suspenders Suspenders may also be called stockings car park parking lot chemical shop/pharmacy /chemist's drugstore chips french fries In AmE, chips still exists, but it is used for the BrE term, crisps cinema the movies/movie theater Cinema is the place where films are exhibited. In UK, it can also mean movie industry. In India, the word theater is more widely used for cinema. constable patrolman cooker stove cot crib cotton thread crash wreck crossroads intersection curtains drapes diversion detour
- 3. drawing pin thumbtack dustbin trashcan/garba ge can dustman garbage collector dynamo generator engine motor estate station wagon Estate here is a large vehicle, and not the land property film movie flat apartment flyover/overbrid ge overpass football soccer In the UK, the rugby is known as American football. Other terms like rugby, rugby football, etc., are also used. garden yard grill broiler ground floor first floor Yes, in American English, there is no ground floor.
- 4. gym shoe/trainers sneakers Trainers or sneakers is a better word than gym shoe. hand brake emergency brake holiday vacation ill sick interval intermission jersey/jumper/p ullover sweater knickers panties ladybird ladybug lift elevator lorry truck luggage baggage These words should be used in singular. In plural form, it should be 'pieces of luggage'. main road highway mate/bloke dude/guy maths math
- 5. motorway superhighway/expressway nappy diaper newsagent newsdealer Newsagent is anyone that sells newspapers at newsstands. optician optometrist paraffin kerosene pavement sidewalk peep peek petrol gasoline/gas There are other words like 'gas station', which is 'petrol station' in UK. post mail postbox mailbox postman mailman/mail carrier pub bar toilet/loo restroom Loo is a rather less-used term in UK to mean toilet. There is also the term, 'bathroom'. pal/mate buddy
- 6. postcode/posta l code ZIP code ZIP is acronym for Zone Improvement Program pushchair/bugg y stroller Pushchair is a baby's carriage. queue line railway railroad rise raise This is especially in the case of salary saloon sedan Sedan is a type of car. shop store silencer muffler Muffler is the device attached to firearms to silence shots. sophister sophomore Sophister is a second-year undergraduate in the UK. spanner wrench staff faculty This is especially true in the case of staff of the universities or other educational institutions. sweet dessert sweets candy/confectionery tap faucet
- 7. taxi cab In Indian English, you will find the word taxicab in widespread use. tea towel dishtowel/dishcloth term semester tights pantyhose timetable schedule tin can toll road turnpike Toll road is a road in which a toll (a fee) is levied to use. torch flashlight tram streetcar tramp hobo trousers pants underground railroad/underg round railway subway Underground road is also called subway. undertaker funeral director/mortician Definitely I am not a fan of 'funeral director'. vest/singlet/wai undershirt
- 8. stcoat windscreen windshield zebra crossing pedestrian crossing/crosswalk Zebra crossing comes from the fact that the crossing areas in roads have white stripes as a zebra. The source: Differences Between British English and American English Words ~ CuteWriting