Comparison of British and American English

British and American English often use different terms to describe the same thing.

British vs. American English – Video

British vs. American English

British and American terms:

• crisps – chips; potato chips
• crocodile clip – alligator clip
• current account – checking account
• dressing gown – robe; bathrobe
• drink-driving – drunk driving
• drinks cupboard – liquor cabinet
• drinks party – cocktail party
• driving licence – driver’s license
• dustbin – garbage can
• faith school – parochial school
• ladybird – ladybug
• lift – elevato
• lolly – lollipop
• lorry – truck
• market garden – truck farm
• mobile phone – cell phone
• motorway – expressway; highway
• mum/mummy – mom/mommy
• pavement – sidewalk
• pedestrian crossing – crosswalk
• petrol – gas; gasoline
• postbox – mailbox
• potato crisp – potato chip
• public school – private school
• public transport – public transportation
• queue – line
• racing car – race car
• railway – railroad
• first floor – second floor
• flat – apartment
• football – soccer
• footway – sidewalk
• fringe (hair) – bangs
• full stop (punctuation) – period
• garden – yard; lawn
• ground floor – first floor
• holiday – vacation
• in hospital – in the hospital
• indicator (on a car)turn signal
• jumper – sweater
• junior school – elementary school

British vs. American English – Images