22 American English Words that Brit’s Don’t Understand |

22 American English Words that Brit’s Don’t Understand

The English language has been spoken for 1,500 years now and is spoken in many different countries in the world including countries where English is the native language. American English could be said to be an easier language to British English as the words are less complicated. For example, sidewalk used by Americans meaning to walk on the side of the road compared to pavement in British English where there is no obvious connection between walking on the side of the road and pavement. These differences just have to be learned.

American word(s) British word(s) Notes

Sidewalk Pavement Both mean the same – just different words.

Trash/garbage Rubbish Different word but same meaning.

Trashcan Dustbin Americans put garbage in trashcans. English put rubbish in dustbins for collection.

Garbage trucks Dustbin lorries Garbage trucks collect rubbish in America. Dustbin lorries collect rubbish in Britain.

Drugstore Chemist A drugstore may have a pharmacy inside it. Chemist is the British word.

Chips Crisps American use chips for the British word crisps.

French fries Chips Again different words for the same item.

Line Queue Both mean the same – just different words.

Candy Sweets Both mean the same but the British use candy for a certain type of sweets.

Closet Wardrobe Both mean cupboard for hanging clothes inside but a different word is used

Hood Bonnet Both mean the front of the car.

Parking lot Car park Same meaning but just different words.

Tow truck Breakdown van Same meaning but different words.

Counter clockwise Anticlockwise Again different words for same meaning.

Estimator Quantity surveyor No obvious connection between these words.

Beltway Ring road Again no obvious connection.

Eggplant Aubergine This is so different it has to be learnt but both mean the same thing.

Zucchini Courgette The same meaning for this vegetable.

Turn signal Indicator Same meaning but again just different words.

Divided highway Dual Carriageway No similarity between these words but again both mean the same.

Yard/lawn Garden No obvious connection but mean the same.

Liquor store Off-license Shops which sell alcohol. No obvious connection.

There are also many more different words with same meaning for example baseboard in American English and skirting board in British English, candy apple in American English and toffee apple in British English, shoulder in American English and verge in British English, lumber in American English compared to timber in British English, vest in American English compared to waistcoat in British English, second floor is used by Americans compared to first floor of a building used by British, broiler is used in America whereas grill is used in Britain, to name but a few.

Many English speakers will choose to learn either American English or British English depending on which side of the Atlantic they live. Europeans tend to learn British English whereas for example Southern Americans will learn American English. Once these different words between American English and British English are learnt then everyone will understand their meanings whether living or visiting America or Great Britain.