British/North American VocabularyHere are some of the main differences in vocabulary between British and North American English.
British | Canadian | American |
anywhere | anywhere | anyplace |
autumn | autumn/fall | fall |
barrister | lawyer | attorney |
beeper, pager | pager | beeper |
bill (restaurant) | bill | check |
biscuit | cookie | cookie |
block of flats | apartment block | apartment building |
bonnet | hood | hood |
boot (of car) | trunk (of car) | trunk (of automobile) |
car | car | automobile |
caravan | trailer | trailer |
chemist | drugstore | drugstore |
chest of drawers | dresser | bureau |
chips | French fries/chips | French fries |
chocolate bar | chocolate bar | candy bar |
the cinema | movies | the movies |
clothes peg | clothes peg | clothespin |
coffin | coffin | casket |
condom | condom | rubber |
crisps | potato chips | potato chips |
crossroads | intersection | intersection |
cupboard | cupboard | closet |
cutlery | cutlery | silverware |
diversion | diversion, detour | detour |
drawing-pin | thumbtack | thumbtack |
driving licence | driver's licence | driver's license |
dummy (for babies) | soother | pacifier |
dustbin | garbage can, trash can | ashcan, garbage can, trashcan |
dustman | garbageman | garbage collector |
engine | engine | motor |
estate agent | real estate agent | realtor |
film | movie | movie |
flat | apartment | apartment |
flat tyre | flat tire | flat |
flyover | overpass | overpass |
galoshes | galoshes | toe rubbers |
gear-lever | gearshift | gearshift |
Girl Guide | Girl Guide | Girl Scout |
ground floor | ground floor, main floor | first floor |
handbag | handbag | purse |
holiday | holiday | vacation |
jam | jam | jelly |
jeans | jeans | blue jeans |
jug | jug | pitcher |
lift | elevator | elevator |
lorry | truck | truck |
luggage | luggage | baggage |
mad | crazy | crazy |
main road | main road, main thoroughfare | highway |
maize | corn | corn |
maths | math | math |
mobile (phone) | cellular phone | cellular |
motorbike | motorbike, motorcycle | motorcycle |
motorway | highway, thoroughfare | freeway, expressway |
motorway | freeway | freeway |
napkin | serviette, table napkin | napkin |
nappy | diaper | diaper |
naughts and crosses | tick-tack-toe | tic-tack-toe |
pants | shorts | shorts |
pavement | sidewalk, pavement | sidewalk |
petrol | gas, gasoline | gas, gasoline |
The Plough | Big Dipper | Big Dipper |
pocket money | pocket money | allowance |
post | mail, post | mail |
postbox | mailbox, post-box | mailbox |
postcode | postal code | zip code |
postman | mailman, letter carrier | mailman |
pub | bar, pub | bar |
public toilet | bathroom | rest room |
puncture | flat | flat |
railway | railway | railroad |
return (ticket) | return | round-trip |
reverse charge | collect call, reverse the charges | call collect |
ring road | ring road | beltway |
road surface | road surface, asphalt | pavement |
roundabout | roundabout | traffic circle |
rubber | eraser | eraser |
rubbish | garbage, trash, refuse | garbage, trash |
rubbish-bin | garbage can, trashcan | garbage can, trashcan |
saloon (car) | sedan (car) | sedan (automobile) |
shop | shop, store | store |
single (ticket) | one-way (ticket) | one-way |
solicitor | lawyer | attorney |
somewhere | somewhere | someplace |
spanner | wrench | wrench |
spirits | spirits | hard liquor |
sweets | candy, sweets | candy |
tap (indoors) | tap (indoors) | faucet |
tap (outdoors) | tap (outdoors) | spigot |
taxi | taxi | cab |
tea-towel | dish-towel | dish-towel |
telly, TV | TV | TV |
third-party insurance | third-party insurance | liability insurance |
timetable | schedule | schedule |
tin | tin can | can |
toll motorway | toll highway | turnpike |
torch | flashlight | flashlight |
trousers | pants | pants |
tube (train) | subway, metro | subway |
underground (train) | subway, metro | subway |
underpants | shorts | shorts |
van | truck | truck |
vest | undershirt | undershirt |
waistcoat | vest | vest |
wallet | wallet | billfold |
wellington boots | rubber boots | rubbers |
whisky | whisky, scotch | whiskey, scotch |
windscreen | windshield | windshield |
zip | zipper | zipper |
|
Sir Faisal Amin, having been a teacher of English as a foreign Language for over a decade at Sir Shams’ Anglophile, introduces this amazing blog for his pupils and all those who are passionate to learn this lingua franca. He seems to have an inborn propensity to teach. Like good teachers, he has a strong urge to share what he knows with others. It has always been his objective to make sure of exploring every possible avenue to pave the ways for his pupils. His participation and services towards promoting English Language is undoubtedly praiseworthy.
Comments (0)
Post a Comment