Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Part 1
Since setting up this site I have become more aware of the differences in language between the U.K. and the U.S.A.
whether it be different meanings for the same word or different words for the same thing, so thought it may be fun to start
a page listing some of these differences.
This page has now been online for several years and I had no idea how much interest it would provoke. I now have a file
full of comments, views and definitions. My big problem is how to present all this information in a way which is useful,
informative and entertaining. This is still a work in progress.
Another thing which has become apparent is the fact that there are no definitive answers; not only do different
counties/states use different terminology but there appears to be differences between generations as well. All this makes
it very difficult to produce information with which everyone agrees.
What has become very evident over the years is just how much language is merging between all the various countries.
Here in the UK we have adopted many, many "Americanisms" into everyday language and, I believe, some British terms
are now used in the USA. This is probably due to travel and the wide exchange of TV programmes etc.
I think this exchange of TV programmes may also be the cause of a lot of misconceptions. Many people contacting me
see to think we still use the type of language which they hear on programmes such as Upstairs, Downstairs, Pride and
Prejudice etc., which, of course, is not the case. Then, of course, there are programmes like Eastenders which is set in the
East End of London and the language used is from that area (minus all the swearing of course) but people from other
parts of the UK not only sound very different but use completely phrases and terms.
In short this is a very complex subject.
At the foot of this page you will find examples of reaction received from visitors who sometimes differ and sometimes
agree with the original offerings and those given by others.
CV (curriculum vitae)
Resume
Melissa Archuleta
In the US we do say "CV"/"curriculum vitae" as well as "resume,"
but it has a different meaning.
In American usage, resume condenses all one's
accomplishments into one page, whereas a CV is a complete
account that can be many pages long.
Alex
Biscuits
Cookies.
Linda Rice kindly points out that "biscuits" in America are
unsweetened dinner or breakfast pastries.
Roll or Bap
Bun
Courtesy of LInda Rice
Bottom/Bum/ (slang)/Posterior/Backside
Glutes
Headmaster/Headmistress
Principal
Submitted by Maxine Dorot
Flagpole
Flagstaff *
Both Linda Rice and "Rob" have contacted me saying they had
never heard this expression in the U.S.A. - sorry.
I have now been informed that both words are used in
America. Apparently Flagstaff, AZ gets its name from a rather
prominent flagpole/flagstaff that was erected there years ago.
Thanks to William Hitch for this information.
Muffler*
Spanner
Wrench
Shoelace
Shoestring
Apparently another debatable one!! !
Cinema
Movie-house
Here again both Linda and Rob pointed out this is usually known
as a movie theater not movie-house
Film
Movie
William Hitch has made the comment that the word "movie" is
still used generally, but critics favour (favor) "film". He makes the
observation that this may be so they are not laughed at in
Cannes!
"Movie" and "film" are definitely both used in the US. In my mind
"movie" suggests Hollywood and "film" suggests art-house, but
it's not hard-and-fast, and I like to use the two words
interchangeably to combat snobbery.
Alex
Postman/Postwoman
Mailman/Mailwoman
Ladysfinger
Okra
Courgette
Zucchini
Rutabaga
Jack
Wardrobe
Closet
To be technical, wardrobes are stand alone and not built into the
room, whereas a closet is built into the room. At least in the US.
David Walker
This made me think and actually here in the UK a free standing
piece of furniture in a bedroom is called a "wardrobe" but we tend
to say "built-in wardrobe" or even "cupboard" when it is built into
the room.
Class
Parcel
Package
Lorry
Truck
Most of the above were contributed by Swami Narasimhan for which we are most grateful.
Toilet or Lavatory
Loo or Bog (slang)*
* The English often call the toilet the LOO or, an even Apparently "Bathroom" is more commonly used
more "slangy" term is the BOG.
(thanks to Dr. Bren Ewen for this.)
Both of these are used, loo being the most common. I
came across a lot of trouble in America when asking
directions to the loo.
We Brits find this very strange "why disguise what the room is
used for?
Flat
Apartment
If you say you live in a flat to an American, they are likely to ask
"a flat what?"
In the US: an apartment can mean either a complex with areas of
living for rent or the rented area of living itself. But as far as I
know, almost everyone would say "Want to go up to my flat?" or "I
have a flat two blocks from here."
It's possible that rural Americans haven't heard the term, though I
think it's pretty widespread.
To be more specific, a flat would imply a standard apartment. A
studio is a very specific way of saying a tiny apartment and a
penthouse is one on the top floor and is of better quality (usually
luxurious [at least in comparison]).
Kim
I have to correct that and say that "flat" doesn't mean apartment
in the U.S., ever, and we wouldn't say that. We might say come
up to my "place" or "apartment" or even "pad" (this usage is from
the 70s and would be sort of retro). "Flat" is definitely a British
term (even in Canada, which is where I'm living now, and
Canada/US/UK English is a whole other thing...).
Karin Carlson
Gas Station.
A garage is where you get your car repaired/fixed. We A "garage" in America is where you park your car at night.
get fuel from a petrol station.
Joe Woodhead
A garage is also where cars are housed.
Trousers
Pants
Now this one is really confusing! in the U.K. the word 'pants' is
only used for "underpants" hence, when an American says he is
going to put on a fresh pair of pants before going out, it cracks us
up.
Braces
Suspenders
All the above 'quips' (in red) were kindly contributed by Nik Shearer - there is more of his humour
(humor) at the bottom of this page.
Queue
Line
Lift
Elevator
Pavement
Sidewalk
Clothes Peg
Clothes Pin
Bicarbonate of Soda
Baking Soda
Superfine sugar, Deluxe sugar or Baker's Sugar
Castor Sugar
Ann O'Donnell
Rubber
Eraser
Minced beef
Ground beef
Mohawk
AndyPandy
Mobile
cellphone
AndyPandy
Ghetto Blaster
Boombox
AndyPandy
Video Recorder
VCR
AndyPandy
Rotary *
I think that's only used in New England (where I grew up); most of
the US says "traffic circle.
Alex
I'm pretty sure the part about roundabouts/rotaries/traffic circles is
wrong. I live in Indiana, and I have never, ever heard anything
other than roundabout.
Kimberly
Roundabout
Carriage*
Stroller
Daniel Ausema
Chips
Fries*
Crisps
Potato Chips
Another from Nik
Holiday
Vacation*
Boot (car)
Trunk
Bonnet (car)
Hood
Petrol
Gas **
Shedding
class/grade- we say class of 2001, highschool class of 1994, or kindergarden class of 2000. we say what class do you
have next referring to a specific subject (like biology).. and we say get to class, (if you are late for school), pick your
classes (When in college) and also always, senior class, junior class, sophmore class and the whole freshman class.. now
we always say 1st grade- 12th grade too for school before college. and when you get to high school you are a freshman in
high school,. sophmore in highschool, junior, senior etc. but we use those terms for college too.
also, when saying toilet- sometimes because we teach children to say "little girls room, or little boys room- sometimes in
joking, teenagers or adults might say "ive just got to hit the little boys room real fast"
oh and we park in the driveway, and we drive on the parkway.
trousers/pants- okay, we say pants as in anything that is a full length bottom.. but most commonly americans where
denim, and we just call them jeans, and if they aren't jeans, we call them by what they are- khakis, sweat pants, and if they
are anything else we will say dress pants, work pants, depending on what we use them for.. dress pants are worn to
church, or somewhere nice, work pants (if you are a painter) refer to pants you already ruined, but if you are a lawyer
(work pants are dress pants). we dont say trousers.. if we did, i would assume they are khakis. oh and a side note: to
pants someone (verb) is to pull there pants down in public.
braces/suspenders.. suspenders in the us are not for socks, or stockings, women use garter belts for that with little
straps that attach.. but suspenders attach at the belt loop on the outside of slacks/pants/trousers and are held up by your
shoulders then attach on the back of your trousers on the belt loops. Braces are for teeth.
side walk/pavement - in the US we use either. my mother has yelled plenty at me when i was a child saying "get on the
pavement, get out of the street"
chips/ chips are hard and packaged in bags they aren't served fresh those are fries. the bigger fries are called steak fries,
then we have french fries (which is a common term for any) that are regular sized and then curly fries that come in curly
cues.
ground floor/first floor- we always say ground floor for the one that is the lowest (usually underground)(but not to be
mistaken with the basement) the term ground floor is only used in big buildings, like hospitals that have floors underground
that are used not for storage. and first floor for the floor that is the first floor above ground.
dummy/pacifier.. we would never say dummy, unless we were referring to someone dumb, and we would never never be
allowed to say dummy tit, because its offensive in america to say tit. pacifier is used, and binky, or bink. binky more
commonly to other adults, but adults will say to children "wheres your bink?"
we say angry just as much as we say mad
tights/ panty hose.. ahh this is complicated.. okay tights are thicker that pantyhose, pantyhose are see through,
pantyhose are also known as stockings, and tights are also known as stretch pants (but the word stretch pants is frowned
apon because its like an old lady thing to say), all are also known as leggings, now if they go to the knee and no higher
they are known as knee highs, and if they go to the thigh, they are thigh highs, and if they go above the stomach they are
called control tops.
we say taxi just as much as we say cab
we say shops as in smaller stores
time tables are what we call multipication "do you know your timetables
estate agent- is called a realator or real estate agent
we say jam just as much as we say jelly