Given the number of places around the world that English is spoken, differences are bound to emerge. Despite how much the USA and UK have in common, there are enough differences between their two versions of the English language that someone may not always understand exactly what someone from the other country is saying. Not only are there 160 distinct dialects of the English language, but there's also different spelling and even words, used to describe one or other thing. Fortunately, the US State Department has created a series of these useful graphics to help clear things up between the British English Vs. American English usage.
Did you know, that the difference between spelling words like American color and British colour, or humor and humour, comes from the Brits adopting, their now called British words, from Old French language? When it came to America later, the spelling was simplified. And so is with many other American English and British English differences, as the adaptation of grammar took its part.
The US and the UK's imperial histories and modern influence over the world have changed the English wording forever. Because it was exported to countries all over the world, it has been forced to accept different variations of the same language, the most known one to be the British Vs. American.
Even if you're a native speaker of UK or US English, there's a good chance you'll learn something new here. Check the brilliant graphs about British Vs. American English language differences below.
More info: americanenglish.state.gov (h/t: designyoutrust, demilked)
This post may include affiliate links.
British Vs American Words For Clothing
In the US Midwest -- or at least the Upper Midwest -- sneakers are more often called tennis shoes or even tennies. Sneakers is much more common on the coasts.
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Would be useful if they also pointed out that vests in Britain go under your shirt to keep you warm and we use suspenders hold our stockings up. Its not just different words for the same thing, but the same word for different things
When I hear "Jumper" I always think of toddler overalls. I don't know why.
The only areas that say "sneakers" are generally New England and the southern tip of Florida. Tennis shoes are much more common throughout the majority of the United States. But, if you say sneakers people will know what you are talking about.
I think that the opening paragraph needs to be run through a grammar-checker, or re-written by someone who knows how to write in English! For instance, "Given the amount of places around the world that English is spoken," should be written, "Given the number of places around the world where English is spoken". The writing goes downhill from there.
Usually, a jersey is associated with sports and sport uniforms and the jersey is the shirt or top in America.
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I don't know if it has been said before but a pullover is any top garment that has to be well pulled over, like most shirts.
The first thing to note is that there are not 'the amount of places around the world'. This should read the 'number of places', as places can be counted individually. There is an amount of cloud in the sky (because it is an indivisible mass) but a number of clouds in the sky (because they, individually, can be counted). Brits and Americans both have a problem understanding this concept.
In Australia, we don't say 'sneakers' or 'trainers', we say 'joggers' haha
https://www.reddit.com/r/Discussion/comments/wc02ar/what_is_your_opinion_on_big_black_oily_men/
Or cardigans I have a cambridgeshire stepmother . daft is stupid and pussy is the actual word for kittens/cats. Governor is slang for shot caller and all sayings similar. Making humiliating jokes is to "take the mickey" out of the person. So what is the British English definition for gangbanging? God knows if he said thou shall not kill then real Gz don't trip over people representing. Willie lynch is a mental institution designed to have us institutionalized. Can't legally enslave us attack our"mentality", stay boys or naughty by ignorance then take initiative to find someone that your senses scream he's earnest. Some men will be 100 with you just cuz they have kids and wouldn't want the blind to"mentor" them. I love the united kingdom as I love the whole world from my asiatic people to the middle eastern Islam followers to the Hispanic nationalities spread across earth. Of course I must say BBC is the British broadcast channel(fantasies of the misnomers if you like😂) I don't lie.
Thank you so much for the help. I really needed it to get good grates. Because i wanna be a docter. My mom always say that im a big fat rat and i cant do anything. She always tells me to shut the f**k up. But NO. i dont listen to her!!
thank you for the help.I really needed it for my svhool. Its really important for me to get good grates, beacuse i wanna be a doctor. My mom says that im a fat fool. But im NOT.
To not honor your mother is against the old and new covenant. You may not agree but unless she is totally abusive and doing too many worldly things,tough it out wisdom will be given to the faithful and knowledge is power so you won't be called fat fool. The lord doesn't like how his children are treated😇 past the stage of innocence then maturity is hakuna matata. Keep fighting the good fight young dude and work on your spelling publicly people talk down on illiterate. Another reason for judge not and ye shall not be judged. If you are steadfast in your zeal then you even ask questions of the creator for how can you know what his will truly is without becoming one with the spirit and holy father? The Trinity is a full circle of deep reverence. Life is owning the truth! Accepting what one cannot change the wisdom and courage to know the difference🙏 Serenity people not from treality may not find it.
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I am English and i love the word Fall for the season of the year. It is a pragmatic word - it means what it says, but to me it is poetic. Just think of the word. A time of crisp frosts and golden leaves But some 17th/18th century snob decided they would sound clever and sophisticated by substituting a Greek word (autumn) for the native word, and unfortunately this caught on. As Americans say "if it aint broke don't fix it
Amen! Carona isn't the beer it's the righting of wrongs since the word was life and people tried playing games with the one who allowed games to even exist. Irony coming from a true believer and sarcastic Aries. I don't own a video game console so miss me with games🌟
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Useful content. It was helpful to better understand the difference between British and American. Can we share the photo on www.justlearn.com/can-british-people-speak-american-english ?
There are plenty of other English-American words and phrases which can raise an eyebrow or two. Like: A "f*g" in the UK is a cigarette in the USA. A "f*g" in the USA is a nickname for homosexuals. The term, "bloody" in the UK is commonly used as an expletive/profane comment. In the USA, "bloody" is usually associated with a wound or location where blood is found, as in a bloody bandage or (even) a murder scene.
Truuuu! Base word homo meaning man so just saying homo doesn't mean man sexual(Gay even meaning happy still is common for happier than a homosexual in the Montrose😂) The Lord calls it an abomination I think some boys don't grow up thus clinging to homosexuality. No booty monsters in the penitentiary unless it's in their nature. Macn is in mine by name don't think id be a proud Mac liking niccas🤘🌟 The diversity of the human race will be glorious in the tower of Babel no longer confusing his wonderful planet(Not giving the most high his praise is why so many atrocities befall us in entirety not just the just or wicked) each one teach one, im as guilty as people who don't even care if I do not speak on the truth. I would basically be part of the problem that was named amerikkka by an artist of music the "0-z30ne" been rolling with the light"illumination" from wisdom. So who says the Lord can't be your OG? If I call myself the Treal OG it means I am the Truth 4 Real, from an old genius.
Load More Replies... I’m British and I would say 1. Trainers (but if someone called them sneakers I would understand what they meant) 2. Jumper (only posh people call it a pullover & if someone called it a sweatshirt I would understand what they meant) 3. Waistcoat (a vest is a sleeveless t-shirt) 4. Braces (I thought only posh people called them suspenders)
They have a prime minister i do believe but the word president would still be president.
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Hello, I'm from Brazil and a teacher here. I really enjoy your website and like to know if I could use these images on my own website - http://dailinf.wixsite.com/englishandyou - (with credits and everything). Thank you very much
Hello there! I'm from Brazil and an English teacher here, I've tried to subscribe to your website but haven't had any any success. I was wondering if I could use these images on my own blog http://dailinf.wixsite.com/englishandyou (with credits and everything). Is there any restriction to that? I apprecciate your time
Only some areas use the term sneaker, mostly just New England and the southern tip of Florida. The magority of Americans say tennis shoes.
Who says training? I have a educated guess. Like how Adidas is a sexual acronym. Mental patients should say ALL DAY I DREAM ABOUT SANITY😌 without wisdom id be heavily medicated 💯✔
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The obviously different one "pants" is not included. We mean very different things when we refer to pants!
I don't think Americans pronounce sweater like /'swe.tər/, but I think it's pronounced like /'swæ.tɚ/ or /'swɛ.tɚ/.
It's really cool looking at how Australia uses words from both countries.
Wasn't neybors filmed down under? Kylie monogue is part of my childhood. Just like the channel that got confused with women false desires😂
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Takes me back to 1986 when a group of us were on safari in Kenya. We were from USA, Canada, England, Scotland, NZ & Australia. We sat around the camp fire one night discussing the differences in our English. Lorry/truck. Pavement/footpath. Apartment/flat. Bonnet/hood. Trunk/boot. Sneakers/runners. We are multilingual in Oz! Swimming costume: Bathers/togs/cozzie but on the whole speak English English.
They thought I was on a high horse in school for using American-English. My stepmother is from Cambridge it would be a bold lie to act ignorant to a whole different accent. I always had a hard time lying(no eye contact awkward breathing or a total fantasy island story) if you're supposed to respect your elders they definitely dislike(even hate) lies and should instill that in your upbringing. Your children should learn from you not outside influences(even the BSA took advantage of position-im a scout without the molestation and as a believer the Vatican😞) what happens when the light meets the darkness?The light prevails, even upon a sunset there is a sunrise"Treality" Time to God is stand still my 38 years are but a meticulous glimpse of his awesome power!
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Actually, braces are held on with buttons and suspenders are held on with clips. They aren't the same things.
Pullover is a sensible term. Jumper and sweater are both sort of r******d. I don't use either.
Australian a mix of both ,except for (Trainers/sneakers = runners) Jumper, vest,braces.
Plimsoll must have been the first popular brand of canvas shoes. I happen to like trainer better than sneaker because, contextually, "sneaker" doesn't make any sense.
when I was in school growing up in England, we called trainers 'plimsolls'
In Canada, its a completely different word, or you use both together or for different versions of the same thing.
Does anyone call Converse trainers? I've always called them just Converse or sneakers. I use trainers to refer to running shoes.
I've never heard anyone say "origano". We usually say oh-ray-guh-no
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British Vs American Words For Food
We too have french fries (what you get in McDonalds) chips are different. We also use peckish and hungry they indicate a degree in our state of hunger.
British Vs American Spelling
British Vs American Words For Vegetables
British Vs American Words For Housing
Labeling of floors in elevators in both the US and UK is a permanent cause of confusion for continental ppl lol
British Vs American
British Vs American Words For Car Parts
British English Vs American English
One of my sister in laws had a period of schooling in the states and had the class in fits of laughter when she asked for a rubber to rectify a mistake she had made not realising that a rubber was slang for a condom. Very red faced.
British English Vs American English
Autumn is widely used in the US. Basically holiday means a public holiday (what would be called a bank holiday in the UK) whereas vacation is your time off work. Actually that seems pretty reasonable.
British English Vs American English
Estate wagon sounds so much better. Would probably sell better too. You can't call a '78 Oldsmobile station wagon a 'sports wagon'...estate wagon would totally work tho
British Vs American Spelling
A parlour is a nice room in your house for special guests (bit old fashioned), you generally don't by ice cream there.
British Vs American
British Vs American Words For Sweets
sweets/candy in Australia = lollies, candy floss= fairy floss, ice lolly = icy pole,
British & American English
British & American English Spelling
British Vs American
British English Vs American English
The southern U.S. version of dish towel is "cup towel," even though you dry other dishes with it. And if we are betraying our roots, we say "dishrag" or "washrag" instead of dish cloth. I have to be really cautious to say the fancier one.
British Vs American Spelling
British Vs American
British Vs American Differences
Zebra crossing sounds like it would be way cooler than it actually is.
British Vs American Names
British English Vs American English
British Vs American
Diversion was a nightmare when I first moved to England! We were lost for 2 hours because the highway just closed and we had to exit! We had no clue what to do. Finally we saw a tiny sign that said diversion. We followed it and made it home!
British Vs American
In Britain we say sellotape (for sticky tape) whereas my American friend calls it scotch tape... :)
We say scotch tape as scotch is a tape brand here, just as we call bandages "band-aids", cotton swabs "q-tips" and jelatinis desserts "jello".
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I am Canadian and use many terms from both the British and American English. I went to university in the USA and never forget that they did not understand when I asked for an elastic. Now I always say rubber band. British and Canadians used to call a sofa a Chesterfield and had an expression "Chesterfield Rugby" which meant a make-out session, not always welcome by the female! A friend amused me by relating a story that happened in the southern USA. He asked for a serviette (napkin) and the waitress asked him what flavour he wanted!
Lol thats so funny bro, the serviette part I mean lol
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In different parts of the US there are different words for the same thing. Example: sofa, couch, divan Example: porch, stoop
Brilliant! As an Australian I was stunned to learn how much of both varieties we've incorporated into our own 'English'. :)
That is obvious as the words all come from ENGLISH English, gosh some people are thick beside the Americans
Load More Replies... English, Firstly, secondly, thirdly. American, first of all, second of all third of all. WTF? Then, and this pee's me off, English, In the begining , from the start, from the onset , etc, Now we get FROM THE GET GO. Even the BBC, the guardians of the English language use this. AAAAAAARRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lol it pees you off XD I think you meant tees you off:)
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dear people of the internet, i have done the math and there are 96 differences and not 100+ you have been tricked, lied to, and possibly bamboozled (sorry for being bad at spelling English words)
people of the internet, i have done the math and it turns out that there are 96 differences on this site and not 100+ you have been tricked, lied to, and possibly bamboozled (sorry for any words that are misspeled)
No, In British English it is post code, not postal code. And diversion is pronounced with zh not sh.
It is amazing how b****y, petty, and stupid people are. The list doesn't say words that only British can use or only Americans can use. It is general terms that are more common to locality. Oooh you used the term once or twice,or you overheard it while sitting in the loo? Aren't you just the be all end all authority on linguistics now?
That is not the problem, it is Americans and now Aussies claiming English is their language and the English copy from them, idiotic ideas
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This was fun. Thank you to most of the commenters from whom I learned a lot. To the few who were rude or lewd, grow up.
I know some of these because my dad is from Ireland and they use some of the same sayings there
Chips in England are really not french fries. They are more like american fries. French fries are french fries over there.
Actually French Fries are really BELGIAN FRIES. Like in Poland Belgijski Frytki.
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Much of it is just spelling differences, but the actual different use of words is interesting, to me at least, as an immigrant who has (mostly) made the transition from UK to US English.
Sedan vs. Saloon (car); Highway vs. Motorway; Railroad vs. Railway; Railway Station vs. Train Station; Take a P**s vs. Have a Slash; Tylenol vs. Paracetamol; Cilantro vs. Coriander Leaves; Having Someone Committed vs. Having them Sectioned... all baseball references are purely American. The Economist has some fun additions: http://www.economist.com/style-guide/americanisms
I was wondering about sedan. It is sedan for a four door and couple for a two door car in the U.S..
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I find it hilarious that Australia uses some British terms and some American terms and sometimes both! :D
It seems like people from the UK, especially England, forget how big the USA is. This country is massive and there are tons of sub-dialects within “American English”. Some of you think NYC and LA are the only major cities here.
?? A bloke is just a casual term for a man, it’s not derogatory.
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I find that living in Canada we use some from column A and some from column B. Having English parents I am quite often confused on which word is used in which country.
“Operating Room” in America, “Theatre” in British. Why “theatre?”
Because, originally, that's exactly what they were. Performing operations and dissecting cadavers was a spectator sport back in the early days!
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The 'z' form of words like 'realization' is just as correct in UK English as the now more commonly used 's' form; indeed apparently the 'z' form was far commoner up to about 1950 when the 's' form gradually began to displace it. The authoritative Oxford English Dictionary indicates the 'z' form as the preferred version.
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That "u" is pissing my nerves. (No offence, dear u. U are a gorgeUs and beaUtiful letter, and we can't imagine oUr lives withoUt U)👍😗❤
We also use program in the UK, when it's a computer program. Otherwise programme Our adoption of French has led to our use of Autumn, when the Fall was originally the word used in South West England (and then taken to New England first). I'd prefer us to use Fall, it's so much more romantic/graphic!
Not to mention the root vegetable sweed...or as the Americans call it... rutabaga!
I don't understand why several of these posters are so redundant, when they're all designed by the same group.
the Brits also pronounce oregano with different emphasis than we do.
Also advertisement. Interestingly, the British place the accent on the second syllable for weekend and princess (two that come readily to mind - I like it, though! As an American, I says these two words like the British, and it makes my family laugh)
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Also those in India and other places the British had mass influence on and invaded.
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There is NO wrong or right! NO mistakes. Just different countries.. different culture.
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How can the Americans call petrol GAS, gas is a vapour petrol is a liquid ?.
Gas is short for gasoline. http://tywkiwdbi.blogspot.ru/2012/04/origin-of-word-gasoline.html
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Then what language have I been speaking here in the States? o-o
Load More Replies... In Britain we say sellotape (for sticky tape) whereas my American friend calls it scotch tape... :)
We say scotch tape as scotch is a tape brand here, just as we call bandages "band-aids", cotton swabs "q-tips" and jelatinis desserts "jello".
Load More Replies... I am Canadian and use many terms from both the British and American English. I went to university in the USA and never forget that they did not understand when I asked for an elastic. Now I always say rubber band. British and Canadians used to call a sofa a Chesterfield and had an expression "Chesterfield Rugby" which meant a make-out session, not always welcome by the female! A friend amused me by relating a story that happened in the southern USA. He asked for a serviette (napkin) and the waitress asked him what flavour he wanted!
Lol thats so funny bro, the serviette part I mean lol
Load More Replies... In different parts of the US there are different words for the same thing. Example: sofa, couch, divan Example: porch, stoop
Brilliant! As an Australian I was stunned to learn how much of both varieties we've incorporated into our own 'English'. :)
That is obvious as the words all come from ENGLISH English, gosh some people are thick beside the Americans
Load More Replies... English, Firstly, secondly, thirdly. American, first of all, second of all third of all. WTF? Then, and this pee's me off, English, In the begining , from the start, from the onset , etc, Now we get FROM THE GET GO. Even the BBC, the guardians of the English language use this. AAAAAAARRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lol it pees you off XD I think you meant tees you off:)
Load More Replies... dear people of the internet, i have done the math and there are 96 differences and not 100+ you have been tricked, lied to, and possibly bamboozled (sorry for being bad at spelling English words)
people of the internet, i have done the math and it turns out that there are 96 differences on this site and not 100+ you have been tricked, lied to, and possibly bamboozled (sorry for any words that are misspeled)
No, In British English it is post code, not postal code. And diversion is pronounced with zh not sh.
It is amazing how b****y, petty, and stupid people are. The list doesn't say words that only British can use or only Americans can use. It is general terms that are more common to locality. Oooh you used the term once or twice,or you overheard it while sitting in the loo? Aren't you just the be all end all authority on linguistics now?
That is not the problem, it is Americans and now Aussies claiming English is their language and the English copy from them, idiotic ideas
Load More Replies... This was fun. Thank you to most of the commenters from whom I learned a lot. To the few who were rude or lewd, grow up.
I know some of these because my dad is from Ireland and they use some of the same sayings there
Chips in England are really not french fries. They are more like american fries. French fries are french fries over there.
Actually French Fries are really BELGIAN FRIES. Like in Poland Belgijski Frytki.
Load More Replies... Much of it is just spelling differences, but the actual different use of words is interesting, to me at least, as an immigrant who has (mostly) made the transition from UK to US English.
Sedan vs. Saloon (car); Highway vs. Motorway; Railroad vs. Railway; Railway Station vs. Train Station; Take a P**s vs. Have a Slash; Tylenol vs. Paracetamol; Cilantro vs. Coriander Leaves; Having Someone Committed vs. Having them Sectioned... all baseball references are purely American. The Economist has some fun additions: http://www.economist.com/style-guide/americanisms
I was wondering about sedan. It is sedan for a four door and couple for a two door car in the U.S..
Load More Replies... I find it hilarious that Australia uses some British terms and some American terms and sometimes both! :D
It seems like people from the UK, especially England, forget how big the USA is. This country is massive and there are tons of sub-dialects within “American English”. Some of you think NYC and LA are the only major cities here.
?? A bloke is just a casual term for a man, it’s not derogatory.
Load More Replies... I find that living in Canada we use some from column A and some from column B. Having English parents I am quite often confused on which word is used in which country.
“Operating Room” in America, “Theatre” in British. Why “theatre?”
Because, originally, that's exactly what they were. Performing operations and dissecting cadavers was a spectator sport back in the early days!
Load More Replies... The 'z' form of words like 'realization' is just as correct in UK English as the now more commonly used 's' form; indeed apparently the 'z' form was far commoner up to about 1950 when the 's' form gradually began to displace it. The authoritative Oxford English Dictionary indicates the 'z' form as the preferred version.
Load More Replies... That "u" is pissing my nerves. (No offence, dear u. U are a gorgeUs and beaUtiful letter, and we can't imagine oUr lives withoUt U)👍😗❤
We also use program in the UK, when it's a computer program. Otherwise programme Our adoption of French has led to our use of Autumn, when the Fall was originally the word used in South West England (and then taken to New England first). I'd prefer us to use Fall, it's so much more romantic/graphic!
Not to mention the root vegetable sweed...or as the Americans call it... rutabaga!
I don't understand why several of these posters are so redundant, when they're all designed by the same group.
the Brits also pronounce oregano with different emphasis than we do.
Also advertisement. Interestingly, the British place the accent on the second syllable for weekend and princess (two that come readily to mind - I like it, though! As an American, I says these two words like the British, and it makes my family laugh)
Load More Replies... Also those in India and other places the British had mass influence on and invaded.
Load More Replies... There is NO wrong or right! NO mistakes. Just different countries.. different culture.
Load More Replies... How can the Americans call petrol GAS, gas is a vapour petrol is a liquid ?.
Gas is short for gasoline. http://tywkiwdbi.blogspot.ru/2012/04/origin-of-word-gasoline.html
Load More Replies... Then what language have I been speaking here in the States? o-o
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