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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)

#1

British Vs American Words For Clothing

British Vs American Words For Clothing

americanenglish.state.gov Report

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    #2

    British Vs American Words For Food

    British Vs American Words For Food

    americanenglish.state.gov Report

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    charles_franks avatar
    CharlesFranks
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #4

    British Vs American Words For Vegetables

    British Vs American Words For Vegetables

    americanenglish.state.gov Report

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    #5

    British Vs American Words For Housing

    British Vs American Words For Housing

    americanenglish.state.gov Report

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    peter_19 avatar
    PeterKerngast
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Labeling of floors in elevators in both the US and UK is a permanent cause of confusion for continental ppl lol

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    #6

    British Vs American

    British Vs American

    americanenglish.state.gov Report

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    andreak avatar
    AndreaK
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Charles Franks is obviously an English language scholar. Please consult him before writing these articles

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    #8

    British English Vs American English

    British English Vs American English

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    malcolme avatar
    MalcolmeCollins
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #9

    British English Vs American English

    British English Vs American English

    americanenglish.state.gov Report

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    isabelle1955 avatar
    IsabelleHerbert
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #10

    British English Vs American English

    British English Vs American English

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    khamilton75 avatar
    KristenHamilton
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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

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    #11

    British Vs American Spelling

    British Vs American Spelling

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    charles_franks avatar
    CharlesFranks
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A parlour is a nice room in your house for special guests (bit old fashioned), you generally don't by ice cream there.

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    #13

    British Vs American Words For Sweets

    British Vs American Words For Sweets

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    sandie395 avatar
    SandraLeslie
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    sweets/candy in Australia = lollies, candy floss= fairy floss, ice lolly = icy pole,

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    #14

    British & American English

    British & American English

    americanenglish.state.gov Report

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    #17

    British English Vs American English

    British English Vs American English

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    ffielder9 avatar
    FaithFielder
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #19

    British Vs American

    British Vs American

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    5453d14f96e6c avatar
    guess
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always tried to spell mustache as moustache because it looked right to me, but autocorrect says it's incorrect! I guess I wasn't wrong, I was just a little British :D

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    #20

    British Vs American Differences

    British Vs American Differences

    americanenglish.state.gov Report

    #22

    British English Vs American English

    British English Vs American English

    americanenglish.state.gov Report

    #23

    British Vs American

    British Vs American

    americanenglish.state.gov Report

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    danyellgg avatar
    DanielleIllich
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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!

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