British English vs American English

English is used as an international language has two types based on its origin.  They are British and American. When we want to learn English we must pay attention to some rules. We must be consistent whether using British English or American English. Remember, you must avoid to mix both of them.  The following are some differences of British English vs American English. Let's learn and share.

KEY:     sl. = slang
              n.  = noun
              v.  = verb
              +   = can be used by Americans, but rare and/or archaic
              >   = American spelling can be used as alternate spelling
             (XX)= Pronounciation difference


AMERICAN                          BRITISH

a knockout (sl. beautiful)      a stunner (sl.)
a little bit                            a spot (sl.)
abrigment                           abrigement
acknowledgment                  acknowledgement
ad (sl.)                               advert (sl.)
airplane                              aeroplane
aisle                                   gangway
alley                                   mews
aluminum                           aluminium
analyze                              >analyse
anemia                              anaemia
anesthetic                          anaesthetic
annex                                annexe
apartment                          mansion flat
apprise/apprize                   apprise
amortize                            amortise/amortize
ardor                                ardour
baby buggy (sl.)                 pram (sl. perambulator)
babysitter                          child-minder
bar                                    pub
bartender                          landlord
bathroom                          loo (sl.)
bathroom                         +lavatory
beat (sl. tired)                   fagged
biscuit                              scone
big deal (sl.)                      big noise (sl.)
blacktop                            macadam
brash                                cheeky (sl.)
breakfast sausage              banger (sl.)
bucks (sl. dollars)              quid (sl. pounds)
buffet                              set meal
buggy (4 wheel carriage)    buggy (2 wheel carriage)
bum (sl. vagrant)             +tramp
bum (sl. vagrant)              bum (sl. backside)
burglary                           house-breaking
cafeteria                           refrectory
can (metal container)         tin
can (sl. jail)                     nick (sl. gaol)

AMERICAN                        BRITISH


can (sl. backside)                bum (sl.)
caliber                                calibre
call up (telephone)              ring up
cark shark (sl. gambler)      card sharper (sl.)
center                               centre
cinder road                        metalled roadway
check                                cheque
checkers (game)                draughts
clerk (KLERK)                    clerk (KLAHRK)
closet (clothes closet)        closet (toilet)
closet (clothes closet)        cupboard (clothes closet)
color                                colour             
corn                                 +Indian corn
connection                        connexion
confused                          fogged (sl.)
cookie                              biscuit
cop (police officer)             bobby
county court                     assize
coveralls                          boiler suit
crap (sl. worthless)           rot (sl.)
crooked (illegal)                bent (sl.)
curb                                kerb
dead on (sl.)                    bang on
defense                           defence
deflection                        deflexion (but not in engineering)
derby (hat)                     bowler
detour                            diversion
dialyze                           >dialyse
diarrhea                         diarrhoea
diner                             chop house
disbarred                       struck off
disgusting                      off-putting
dishrag                          dish mop
discount store                cut-price shop
dock                              quay
draft beer                      draught beer
dresser                         +wardrobe
dude                             tosh (sl.)
ecology                        oecology (old sp.)
edema                          oedema
efficiency apartment       bed-sit
electrolyze                    >electrolyse
elevator                        lift
engineer (railroad)         engine driver
enrollment                    enrolment
eolian                           aeolian
esophagus                    oesophagus
estrogen                      oestrogen
etiology                        aetiology
favor                            favour
favorite                        favourite

To be continued....

Posted in: English Information