Quick English: Differences Between US and UK English
Happy 4th of July! In the United States, July 4th is Independence Day. On July 4, 1776, the USA declared independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.
It is a national holiday in the USA, and many people spend it at the beach, having barbecues and watching fireworks. In the UK, it is just another day, though many Americans ex-patriots like to celebrate together.
Many people who have learned English in the USA can find British English a bit different, and even confusing.
While both countries speak English, sometimes it seems like the differences between UK and US English makes them separate languages.
In hono(u)r of Independence Day, here is a list of differences between UK and US English.
| USA | UK |
| apartment | flat |
| baby carriage | pram |
| band-aid/bandage | plaster |
| bathing suit | swimming costume |
| bathroom | toilet/loo |
| broke (poor) | skint |
| butt | bum |
| cafeteria | canteen |
| candy | sweets |
| cookie | biscuit |
| dessert | pudding |
| diaper | nappy |
| drunk | pissed |
| eggplant | aubergine |
| elevator | lift |
| eraser | rubber |
| French fries | chips |
| Jell-o | jelly |
| kiss | snog |
| line up | queue |
| liquor store | off-license |
| oatmeal | porridge |
| pants | trousers |
| potato chips | crisps |
| sneakers | trainers |
| underwear | pants |
| zucchini | courgette |
This is just a short list of words that are different between American English and British English. Do you know of any others?
Also check out our list of UK and US phrasal verbs, for even more UK and USA vocabulary.