Given the number of places around the world that English is spoken, differences are bound to emerge. Despite how much the USA and UK have in common, there are enough differences between their two versions of the English language that someone may not always understand exactly what someone from the other country is saying. Not only are there 160 distinct dialects of the English language, but there's also different spellingand even words, used to describe one or other thing. Fortunately, the US State Department has created a series of these useful graphics to help clear things up between the British English Vs. American English usage.
Did you know, that the difference between spelling words like American color and British colour, or humor and humour, comes from the Brits adopting, their now called British words, from Old French language? When it came to America later, the spelling was simplified. And so is with many other American English and British English differences, as the adaptation of grammar took its part.
The US and the UK's imperial histories and modern influence over the world have changed the English wording forever. Because it was exported to countries all over the world, it has been forced to accept different variations of the same language, the most known one to be the British Vs. American.
Even if you're a native speaker of UK or US English, there's a good chance you'll learn something new here. Check the brilliant graphs about British Vs. American English language differences below.
#1
British Vs American Words For Clothing
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CharlesFranks 4 years ago
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In the UK we also call jumpers sweaters and have done for years
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#2
British Vs American Words For Food
4 years ago
We too have french fries (what you get in McDonalds) chips are different. We also use peckish and hungry they indicate a degree in our state of hunger.
#5
British Vs American Words For Housing
4 years ago
Labeling of floors in elevators in both the US and UK is a permanent cause of confusion for continental ppl lol
#6
British Vs American
4 years ago
Charles Franks is obviously an English language scholar. Please consult him before writing these articles
#8
British English Vs American English
4 years ago
One of my sister in laws had a period of schooling in the states and had the class in fits of laughter when she asked for a rubber to rectify a mistake she had made not realising that a rubber was slang for a condom. Very red faced.
#9
British English Vs American English
4 years ago
Autumn is widely used in the US. Basically holiday means a public holiday (what would be called a bank holiday in the UK) whereas vacation is your time off work. Actually that seems pretty reasonable.
#10
British English Vs American English
4 years ago
Estate wagon sounds so much better. Would probably sell better too. You can't call a '78 Oldsmobile station wagon a 'sports wagon'...estate wagon would totally work tho
#11
British Vs American Spelling
4 years ago
A parlour is a nice room in your house for special guests (bit old fashioned), you generally don't by ice cream there.
#12
British Vs American
#13
British Vs American Words For Sweets
4 years ago
sweets/candy in Australia = lollies, candy floss= fairy floss, ice lolly = icy pole,
#15
British & American English Spelling
#17
British English Vs American English
4 years ago
The southern U.S. version of dish towel is "cup towel," even though you dry other dishes with it. And if we are betraying our roots, we say "dishrag" or "washrag" instead of dish cloth. I have to be really cautious to say the fancier one.
#18
British Vs American Spelling
#19
British Vs American
4 years ago
I always tried to spell mustache as moustache because it looked right to me, but autocorrect says it's incorrect! I guess I wasn't wrong, I was just a little British :D
#21
British Vs American Names
#23
British Vs American
4 years ago
Diversion was a nightmare when I first moved to England! We were lost for 2 hours because the highway just closed and we had to exit! We had no clue what to do. Finally we saw a tiny sign that said diversion. We followed it and made it home!
