English is a language common to UK and US, but there are some big differences in the actual meanings of words. Spelling and pronunciation are different too but probably easier to cope with.
Here is a list of just a few of these differences:
The dot at the end of a sentence
Paper currency in dollars/pounds
- UK: Pound NOTE
- US: Dollar BILL
Paper slip showing what you owe
October/November season
Last letter of the alphabet
What men wear on bottom half
Soft shoes for sport/casual wear
- UK: Trainers
- US: Sneakers
Straps to hold up trousers/pants
- UK: Braces
- US: Suspenders
Straps to hold up ladies' stockings
- UK Suspenders
- US: Garters
Bag carried by a lady
What a baby wears on it's bottom
Safe area to walk on by the road
- UK: Pavement
- US: Sidewalk
Middle of the city
- UK: Town centre
- US: Downtown
4-wheeled private vehicle
Fuel for vehicles
Container in street for rubbish/trash
Sweet stuff to spread on bread
Flavoured ice on a stick
Soft green vegetable
Where water comes from
Floor on ground level
- UK: Ground floor
- US: First floor
Children play up and down ride
- UK: See-saw
- US: Teeter-totter
Here are other words which are used in both languages but have very different meanings:
Ass
- UK: Donkey
- US: Human posterior
Bathroom
- UK: Room with bath/shower
- US: Room with toilet
Buns
- UK: Sweet cakes
- US: Human posterior
Hamper
- UK: Basket for food
- US: Basket for dirty clothes
Knickers
- UK: Ladies' undergarment
- US: Pants that end below knee
Mad
Tramp
- UK: Down-and-out
- US: Female of easy virtue
Wash up
- UK: Wash dishes after meal
- US: Wash face and hands.
These are just a few of the differences between English usage on both sides of the Atlantic. As George Bernard Shaw the Irish writer said:"England and America are two countries divided by a common language".
Run this article through your spell checker, US. or UK English, and see the differences in the two languages.
