In English vocabulary there are many differences between the British
English and the American English.
(British English is the form of English used in United Kingdom and American English is form of English used in the United States.)
There are a lot of everyday words that are different but has actually the same meaning. For example:
CLOTHES:
In the UK, people would be embarrassed if
somebody saw their pants. Why?
UK US
trousers - pants
pants - underwear
trainers - sneakers
jumper - sweater
polo neck - turtleneck
AT SCHOOL:
"Stop mucking around and get on with your
work" would say the teacher to two students who were off task.
UK US
mucking around - off task
rubber - earser
maths - math
holiday - vacation
staff room - teachers lounge
ON THE ROAD:
In the UK, people drive slowly over sleeping
policemen.
Are they afraid of waking them up?
UK US
sleeping policeman - speed bump
car park - parking lot
car journey - road trip
zebra crossing - cross walk
driving licence - driver's license
motorway - freeway
lorry - truck
tailback - traffic jam
petrol station - gas station
pavement - sidewalk
FOOD:
Are you feeling peckish? (hungry)
That food looks very scrummy. (delicious)
UK US
biscuit - cookie
sweets - candy
crisps - potato chips
chips - french fries
jacket potato - baked potato
jam - jelly
jelly - jello
ice lolly - popsicle
eggy bread - french toast
courgette - zucchini
HOUSE:
In British English bathroom is the room where the bath is. If you asked British person for the bathroom, they will think that you want to have a bath!
UK US
bathroom - restroom
garden - backyard
wardrobe - closet
carpet - rug
bin - trash can
cooker - stove
couch - sofa
hand basin - sink
run the bath - fill the tub
AND OTHER:
lift - elevator
football - soccer
aeroplane - airplane
fortnight - two weeks
fringe - bangs
mobile phone - cell phone
Fortunately, most Americans and Brits can usually guess the meaning through the context of a sentence.
Gabriela
Pałaszewska, 3c
