American language

Last Updated: Mar. 19, 2008

There are a myriad of small differences between American English and the English spoken in many other parts of the world.

Simply being aware and open to the idea that occasionally North Americans use different terminology, spelling and words, may make for a less frustrating and more enjoyable trip. Even within the US and Canada (as is the case in places like England, Ireland, Germany, Italy and almost everywhere else in the world) dialects vary from region to region.

Although the table below is far from exhaustive, it will give you an idea about some of the more common words that are interchangeable between the two dialects.

It would be imposable to list all of the differences, but here’s a few to help give you an idea

American language – basic differences

English	American English
Crisps	Chips
Biscuit	Cracker/cookie
Swiss roll	Danish
Chips	French fries
White or black coffee	with or without cream
Soft drink	Soda
Lemonade	7-up/Sprite
With ice	On the rocks
Spirits	Liquor
Sellotape	Scotch Tape
Chemist/Pharmacy	Drug store
Motorway	Freeway/interstate
Dual carriageway	Divided highway
Level crossing	Grade crossing
Lay-by	Pull-off
Petrol	Gas
Bonnet	Hood
Boot	Trunk
Hire car	Rental car
Underground/Tube/Metro/U-Bahn	Subway
Footpath	Sidewalk
Public phone	Phone booth
Reverse charge	Call collect
Lift	Elevator
Toilet	Bathroom/restroom
Mobile/handy phone	Cell phone

Add a Comment Comments (6)

haha im an aussie too and am pretty worried about how the americans/aussie wording is different. Especially miles/km’s litres/gallons…
might have to be careful on the “thong” word!!!

Sasha1985 posted on Jul. 08, 2008 Flag as Inappropriate
Im an aussie too. When i was 13 i went to the USA for the first time and asked a waitress for a serviette. She replied “what on earth do you want a Russian for?”.

Jamin posted on Nov. 14, 2007 Flag as Inappropriate
I have two favorite incidences that both involved Aussies and their failure to convert things into “American”.

Once, am Australian guy shouted “My THONG is cutting into me! I’m bleeding!” in the middle of the Las Vegas strip… Do you know what a thong is over here? He got some strange looks.

Another time, I joined a guy in my group for lunch. He said to me “Your hot chips are strange here”. He was eating potato chips – which they microwaved. He wanted french fries. I thought the restaurant’s interpretation of “hot chips” was hilarious.

Angie posted on Nov. 01, 2007 Flag as Inappropriate
Subway can be a regional thing too. In Boston they call it the “T” and in Chicago it’s the L, since it’s elevated.

cdm115 posted on Oct. 19, 2007 Flag as Inappropriate
Also with “Liquor” you will hear it called “booze” or “hooch” in some parts of the states. Also make sure you aren’t in a “dry” location. Just east of Flagstaff,Az in the Navajo Reservation is a “dry” location meaning no alochol/liquor can be sold or in your posession though many do. If cought its a federal offence. Some states are also not able to sell liquor on Sundays like Colorado.

MJ posted on Oct. 18, 2007 Flag as Inappropriate
“Soft drink” is widely understood in the US. Usage of “Soda” is also very regionalized. In parts of the US country people prefer to use “Pop”, while in the Southeast it’s not uncommon for “Coke” to be the default term for any soft drink.

We say “lemonade” here too, but we mean actual lemonade, as in ade made from lemons.

David E posted on Oct. 18, 2007 Flag as Inappropriate