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British vs. American English

Everyone knows that the British version of the English language differs slightly from the American version. Most obvious are the spelling differences. However, there are some terms which American tourists would find most helpful to know. Here is just a brief list of some of the more popular British terms and phrases, along with their American counterparts.

 

British

Aerial
Aubergine
Bloke
Bonnet
Boot
Chips
Coach
Courgette
Crisps
Fags
Football
Fortnight
Full stop
Hoover
Knackered
Lift
Loo
Loo roll
Lorry
Mange tout
Nappies
Petrol
Plaster
Pram
Queue
Quid
Snog
Solicitor
Spots
Take the piss out of
Telly
Torch
Video
Z

American Translation

antenna
eggplant
man
hood of a car
trunk of a car
French fries
Tour bus
zucchini
potato chips
(slang for cigarettes)
soccer
two weeks
period
vacuum
tired
elevator
toilet
toilet paper
truck
snow peas
diapers
gasoline
band aid
stroller
line
(slang for Pound)
(slang: to kiss)
lawyer
pimples
to make fun of
TV
flash light
VCR
(pronounced "zed")


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