When I first came to America, twenty two years ago, even though I spoke English, the words coming out of my mouth often resulted in puzzled looks and blank stares, the reason being, I didn't speak AMERICAN English. I now speak it (and write it) rather fluently, and often interchange words because I'm an inconsistant git (idiot). In attempts to help more people butcher their vocabulary, I have compiled this incomplete dictionary of American and British words (and spellings), in my free time, and Bob's your uncle.
Note: Words marked with a * show different spelling.
A | |
| AMERICAN | BRITISH |
| Airplane | Aeroplane |
| Aluminum | Aluminium |
| Apartment | Flat |
| Appetizer | Entree, Starter |
| *Archeology | Archaeology |
B | |
| AMERICAN | BRITISH |
| Babysitter | Minder |
| Baked Potato | Jacket Potato |
| Bathroom | Loo, The Toilet |
| Band-Aid | Elastoplast |
| Bank Teller | Cashier |
| Bedspread | Similar to a Eiderdown and Duvet |
| Billion | Trillion |
| Bleachers | Terrace |
| Braces (for teeth) | Brace |
C | |
| AMERICAN | BRITISH |
| Call (on the phone) | Ring |
| Cafeteria | Refectory |
| Can | Tin |
| Candy | Sweets |
| *Catalog | Catalogue |
| Cents | Pence |
| Chapstick | Lip Balm |
| *Check | Cheque |
| Checkers | Draughts |
| Chips | Crisps |
| Cigarette | Fag |
| Closet (bedroom) | Wardrobe |
| Clumsy | Cackhanded |
| Collect Call | Reverse Charge Call |
| *Color | Colour |
| Cookie | Biscuit |
| Cotton Candy | Candy Floss |
| Commercial | Advertisment |
| Cracker | Savoury biscuit |
| Crib | Cot |
| Cross Walk | Zebra Crossing, Pedestrian Crossing |
| Crossing Gaurd | Lollipop Man |
| Cupcake | Fairy Cake |
| *Curb | Kerb |
D | |
| AMERICAN | BRITISH |
| Dessert | Afters, Pudding |
| Detour | Diversion |
| Diaper | Napkin, Nappy |
| Dollar Bill | Note |
| Drugstore | Chemist |
| Duplex | Semi-Detached House |
E | |
| AMERICAN | BRITISH |
| Eggplant | Aubergine |
| Elevator | Lift |
| Emergency Room | Casualty |
| Eraser | Rubber |
| Expensive | Dear |
F | |
| AMERICAN | BRITISH |
| Faucet | Tap |
| *Favorite | Favourite |
| Fire Department | Fire Brigade |
| Flashlight | Torch |
| A Flirt | Tart |
| Freeway (Expressway) | Motorway, Carriageway |
G | |
| AMERICAN | BRITISH |
| Garbage Man | Dustman |
| Garter Belt | Suspenders |
| Glue | Gum |
| Gasoline | Petrol |
| Gizzards | Offal |
| Golashes | Wellingtons, Wellies |
| *Gray | Grey |
| Gutter | Gully |
H | |
| AMERICAN | BRITISH |
| Hamburger Bun | Bap |
| *Honor | Honour |
| Hood (car) | Bonnet |
| Horny | Randy |
| House (one story) | Bungalow |
| *Humor | Humour |
| Hungry | Peckish |
J | |
| AMERICAN | BRITISH |
| *Jail | Gaol |
| Jello | Jelly |
| Jelly | Jam |
| *Jewelry | Jewellery |
K-L | |
| AMERICAN | BRITISH |
| Kiss (passionate) | Snog |
| Ladybug | Ladybird |
| Line | Queue |
| Living Room | Lounge |
| Lawyer | Barrister, Solicitor |
| Leash (Dog) | Lead |
| Licens Plate | Number Plate |
| Liquor store | Off Licens, Offy |
M | |
| AMERICAN | BRITISH |
| Post | |
| Mailbox | Postbox |
| Mail Carrier | Postman, Posty |
| *Maneuver | Manoeuvre |
| Math | Maths |
| Menopause | The Maenopause |
| *Mold | Mould |
| Movie | Film |
| Movie Theater | Cinema |
N-O | |
| AMERICAN | BRITISH |
| Napkin | Serviette |
| Nudist | Naturist |
| On/Off Ramp | Slip Road |
| Oven | Cooker |
| Overalls | Dungarees |
| Overpass | Flyover |
P | |
| AMERICAN | BRITISH |
| Pacifier | Dummy |
| Pants | Trousers |
| Paper Towel | Kitchen towel, Kitchen Paper |
| Parade | Carnival |
| Parking Lot | Car Park |
| Pharmacist | Chemist |
| Picnic Basket | Picnic Hamper |
| Pie Crust | Pastry Base |
| Plastic Wrap | Clingfilm |
| Private school | Public school |
| Public School | State school |
| *Pajamas | Pyjamas |
R-S | |
| AMERICAN | BRITISH |
| Raincoat | Mackintosh |
| Realtor | Estate Agent |
| Rent (to) | Hire |
| Robe | Dressing Gown |
| Sand Box | Sand Pit |
| Sandwich | Butty, Sarny |
| Santa Clause | Father Christmas |
| Sell | Flog |
| Shopping Cart/Basket | Trolley |
| Sidewalk | Pavement |
| Sir | Squire, Guv'nor |
| Sneakers | Trainers, Plimsolls,Pumps |
| Soccer | Football |
| Spelled | Spelt |
| Stroller | Pram, Pushchair |
| Styrofoam | Polystyrene |
| Suspenders | Braces |
| Sweater | Pullover, Jumper |
T | |
| AMERICAN | BRITISH |
| Take-Out | Take-Away |
| Talk Show | Chat Show |
| Traffic Jam | Tailback |
| Thumb Tack | Drawing Pin |
| Tic Tac Toe | Naughts and Crosses |
| *Tire | Tyre |
| Toothpick | Cocktail Stick |
| Track Housing | Housing Estate |
| Trailor | Caravan |
| Trash | Rubbish |
| Trash Can | Bin, Dustbin (the one outside) |
| Truck | Lorry |
| Trunk (car) | Boot |
| Tuxedo | Dinner Jacket |
U-Z | |
| AMERICAN | BRITISH |
| Umbrella | Brolly |
| Undershirt | Vest |
| Underwear | Pants, knickers |
| Vacation | Holiday |
| Vest | Waistcoat |
| Wallet (Woman's) | Purse |
| Washcloth | Flannel |
| Windshield | Windscreen |
| Yard | Garden |
| Zee (letter) | Zed |
| Zip Code | Post Code |
| Zucchin | Courgette |
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