British English vs. The American Version

12 August 2011

I sometimes find myself referring to my normal language as "American" rather than "English."  I know this might sound strange at first, but you have to understand.  Living in a multi-cultural community does things to you.  I've picked up a whole new set of words and fit them into my already-existing vocabulary, only to create a whole new way of speaking that is uniquely... me.  (And yes, slightly confusing along the way.)

The situation got even more interesting when I returned to my country of origin.  At least in Tanzania, people understood me regardless of whether I referred to those annoying, biting bugs as "mozzies" or "mosquitoes."  We all laugh at our differences and life goes on.  Now that I'm back in America, though, I either have to try to catch myself from saying things like "blue tack" and "full stop," or suffer the strangely confused look that the listener is bound to throw my way.

I'm borrowing this list from friends in Tanzania... and I hope this helps you to understand if I say something a little "strange" when I see you next!

British...........English

crisps.......chips

chips.......french fries

jelly.........jello

jam.........jelly

mince...........hamburger
gammon ........... ham
aubergine .............eggplant

biscuit..........cookie

rubbish bin.........trash can

full stop........period

aliminium.........aluminum

brackets.........parenthesis

speech marks.......quotation marks

rubber.............eraser

toilet......bathroom

lorry........truck

trainers........tennis shoes

trousers...........pants

pants.........underwear

jumper.........jacket/sweatshirt

SMS..........text
mobile ......... cell phone

serviette......napkin

napkin........sanitary pad

mobile phone.........cell phone

duvet.......blanket

tap........faucet

plaster.........band-aid

dinner...........lunch

tea........dinner (supper)
brekky*..........breakfast

sweetie........candy
ice lolly...........popsicle
feeling peckish ............feeling hungry

maths.......math

pram/push chair.......... stroller
nappy......diaper

dummy............pacifier
car park.........parking lot

road/speed way.......highway

boot sale............garage/yard sale

swimming costume.........swimsuit

football.........soccer

pitch......field

marks........grades

ticks........checks

sugar paper........construction paper

dust bin.........trash can

peg board.........bulletin board

to rub........to erase

plectrum......guitar pick

quaver.....eighth note 

pegs........clothes pins

straight away.......right away

invigilate......proctor (an exam)

revise.......study

fortnight......two weeks

air con......air conditioning (or AC)

mozzies*..........mosquitoes

blue tack.......poster putty 

fringe........bangs

post......mail
post code .......address

parcel.......package
register.......attendance book
pigeon hole......mailbox
sin bin........penalty box
headmaster...........principal

Feel free to add on to the list.... I'm sure I've missed some along the way!!! :D 

(Apparently I've mixed in a few Aussie-isms as well... I've gone back and * those!)