American English

Morlan · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:01

OK, so we all know that there are a few notable differences between American and British English.

eg.

faucet = tap
sidewalk = footpath
mall = shopping centre
trash = bin

Can anyone think of anymore examples?

J1234 · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:07

Elevator = Lift
Candy = Sweets
Pants = Trousers
Vacation = Holiday
Bathroom = Toilet
Soccer = Football
Fall = Autumn
Flashlight = Torch
Trunk = Boot

Le_Petit_Lapin · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:08

First Floor = Ground Floor.

Not really what you're after....I hate the American way of pronouncing aluminium, and leisure!

Morlan · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:10

Great examples. Yeah, what's that whole first floor thing about. Loons.

int · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:12

Le_Petit_Lapin said:
First Floor = Ground Floor.

Not really what you're after....I hate the American way of pronouncing aluminium, and leisure!

Pronunciation of Aluminium is different because they spell it differently too (Aluminum).

Lightnix · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:13

Le_Petit_Lapin said:
First Floor = Ground Floor.

Not really what you're after....I hate the American way of pronouncing aluminium, and leisure!

Yeah, how exactly do they go about completely missing that 'i' in aluminium?

Edit: @above: oh.

Morlan · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:16

Good good. Keep it coming.

willhub · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:18

I thought Fall was the Americans meaning for Autumn?

Morlan · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:20

What about Truck, Van, etc.

People Carrier doesn't exist there. And van means something different. As for truck, well that means many things in America.

Morlan · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:20

willhub said:
I thought Fall was the Americans meaning for Autumn?

Oh yes, very good. Adding to list.

J1234 · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:21

Don't they say automobile instead car?

What's the list for?

GarethDW · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:21

Here are some more...

Proper versus Wrong
aubergine = eggplant
bathroom = restroom/washroom
billion (million million) = billion (thousand million)
biscuit = cookie
bonnet (car) = hood
boot (car) = trunk
braces = suspenders
break (school) = recess
broad bean = lima bean
candyfloss = cotton candy
caravan = trailer
caretaker/porter = janitor
car park = parking lot
catapult = slingshot
chemist = drugstore
curtains = drapes
dustbin = trashcan
estate agent = realtor
estate car = station wagon

I got bored after that.

Ross1234 · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:22

They say stickshift instead of manual

Nossmayo · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:24

Zip Code - Post Code

Cybermyk · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:24

I don't mind the difference in words so much as the pronunciation of common words.

Rout instead of route, shallat instead of shallot, erb instead of herb etc.

GarethDW · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:25

<off topic> I dislike the way American English bastardises our grammar too. For example, when they say, "Mary wrote me last week". She wrote you what...? Oh, and they use the letter z far too often. </off topic>

J1234 · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:26

Mail = Post or Mailman = Postman.
Diaper = Nappy.

arknor · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:31

hubcap = wheel trim ?

MikeHunt79 · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:34

trunk = boot
hood = bonnet

AJUK · 26 Apr 2009 at 01:34

There is no such thing as American English, there is correct English (British) and bad English.