Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Some Common British-American words

Although too much has probably been made of the differences between English words in the U.S. versus Great Britain -- playwright George Bernard Shaw once famously said that Britain and the USA were "two countries separated by a common language" -- there are some differences that any American traveler should be aware of. (Although generally, thanks to movies and TV, they will know what you mean even when you may not know what they mean.) I have listed a few common British words below in no particular order followed by the American equivalent.


ENGLISH                        AMERICAN
Pound                               The main currency; like our dollar.
Quid                                 Slang for the Pound  "Can I borrow five quid?"
Wayout                             Exit
Hire                                  Rent
Football                             Soccer
Takeaway                          Take-out (as in pizza)
Carpark                             Parking lot
Petrol                                Gas, Fuel
En suite                             Hotel room with private bath
VAT                                  Value Added Tax (sales tax) 
Chemist                             Pharmacist
Motorway                          Highway
Single carriageway            Two-lane road
Dual carriageway              Four-lane road
High street                        Main street
Give way                          Yield
Lorry                                Pick-up truck
Single-ticket                      One way
Return ticket                      Round trip
Toilet                                Bathroom, restroom
WC (Watercloset)             Bathroom, restroom
Mate                                Friend, pal, buddy
Telly                                 Television
Boot                                 Trunk
Bonnet                             Hood
Trainers                            Tennis shoes, sneakers
Trousers                           Pants
Jumper                            Pullover (sweater)
Kit                                  Uniform
Posh                               Expensive, overly fancy
Tube                               Subway
Biscuits                           Cookies
Scones                           Biscuits (sort of)
Crisps                            Chips
Chips                             Fries
Jacket potato                 Baked potato
Jam                                Jelly
Sweets                           Candy
Wind up                         Tease
Take the Piss                  Tease
Fag                                Cigarette
Hoover                          Vacuum cleaner or to vacuum
Letter box                      Mail box

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