Chart that reads "Do You Speak English?" ()
Living in England has its perks — stunning castles and palaces, rolling green hills and beautiful countryside, only being a stone’s throw from London, and of course, not having to learn a completely new language as an adult. Once you arrive however, you’ll realize that there are many subtle and not-so-subtle differences between British and American English. Words meaning one thing to us, may have a completely different meaning to our British counterparts. After conferring with my local co-workers and friends, we’ve compiled a small cheat sheet to help translate English to … English. Some words are pretty well-known, while others may catch you off-guard:
Transportation (*British = American)
Bonnet = hood (of a car)
Boot = trunk (of a car)
Car park = parking lot
Caravan = camper/trailer
Car hire = rental car
Carriageway = smaller highway
Estate = station wagon
Flyover = overpass
Gear box = transmission
Indicator = turn signal
Junction = exit
Lay-by = rest area
Lorry = semi-truck
Motorway = freeway/expressway
Number plate = license plate
Petrol = gasoline
Roundabout = traffic circle
Saloon = sedan
Sat nav = GPS
Tube/underground = subway
To let/for let = for rent
Windscreen = windshield
Food
(*British = American)
Aubergine = eggplant
Biscuit = cookie
Candy = hard candy
Chicken goujons = chicken tenders
Chips = thick-cut fries
Cooker/hob = stove
Courgette = zucchini
Crisps = chips
Cuppa = cup of tea
Ice lolly = popsicle
Jacket potato = baked potato
Mince = ground meat
Peckish = hungry
Rasher = Bacon
Sweet or pudding = dessert
Sweets = candy
Takeaway = take-out food
Toastie = grilled/toasted sandwich
Trolley = shopping cart
Shopping/Clothing
(*British = American)
Chemist = pharmacy
Jumper = sweater
Nappy = Diaper
Off-license = liquor store
Pants = underwear
Pushchair = stroller
Quid = slang for pounds sterling (GBP)
Rucksack = backpack/knapsack
Spectacles = eyeglasses
Trainers = athletic shoes
Trousers = pants
Wardrobe = closet
Miscellaneous
(*British = American)
Barrister = lawyer/attorney
Bin = trash can
Bits n’ bobs = knickknacks
Bob’s your uncle! = There you go!
Booking = reservation
Bugger = jerk
Cheeky = sneaky
Cinema = movie theatre
Cot = crib
CV = resumé
Diary = calendar
Dodgy = suspicious
Dummy = pacifier
Film = movie
Flat = apartment
Flypast = flyover
Football = soccer
Garden = yard
Hen party = bachelorette party
High street = main street
Holiday = vacation
Lift = elevator
Loo = toilets
Mad = crazy
Mate = friend
Mobile = cell phone
Opposite = across from
Plaster = band aid
Post = mail
Post code = zip code
Quay = dock/wharf
Rubbish = garbage
Queue = line
Ring = call
Rubber = pencil eraser
Stag night = bachelor party
Suncream = sunscreen
Tick mark = check mark
Torch = flashlight
Uni = college/university
Whinge = whine
