While it's true that we technically speak the same language, American English and British English are vastly different in a lot of ways. While the Brits have the benefit of being exposed to a lot of American media and pop culture, it doesn't always work both ways. I won't even get started on different spellings - these are purely things that are called something different in American English than they are in British English. This is an ongoing list of "language barrier" differences - some you may already know, and some may surprise you!
I've always loved language - which makes sense, because I'm an avid reader and have always loved to write. It's always one of my favorite topics when meeting people from other parts of the world - "what would you call this?", or "how do you pronounce that?" Even within countries and within the same language, different regions or different groups of people use different words for the same thing. I find it genuinely fascinating.
A lot of the below, I learned from watching British TV or listening and learning during my time in the UK, but quite a few were found out through embarrassing errors. Don't make the same mistake I did, and mess up the pants/trousers conversion! (You'll get a lot of weird looks)
Foods:
Eggplant: Aubergine
Zucchini: Courgette
Cilantro: Coriander
Arugula: Rocket
Green Onion: Spring Onion
Pickle: Gherkin
Cookie: Biscuit
Grilled Cheese: Toastie
Baked Potato: Jacket Potato
Potato Chips: Crisps
French Fries: Chips
French Toast: Eggy Bread
Oatmeal: Porridge
Cupcake: Fairy Cake
Candy: Sweets (Brits differentiate between "sweets" and "chocolate" whereas Americans would call it all candy)
Cotton Candy: Candy Floss
Popsicle: Ice Lolly
Icing Sugar: Confectioner's Sugar
Aluminum Foil: Aluminium Foil
Clothing:
Fanny Pack: Bum Bag (don't mess this one up - fanny means... a different thing in the UK)
Tank Top: Vest
Vest: Gilet
Sneakers: Trainers
Sweater: Jumper
Overalls: Dungarees
Pants: Trousers
Underwear: Pants
Suspenders: Braces
Rain Boots: Wellies
Uniform (as in, for sports): Kit
Cars/Transport/Driving:
Sidewalk: Pavement
Crosswalk: Zebra Crossing
Hood (of a car): Bonnet
Trunk (of a car): Boot
Semi-truck: Lorry
Gas: Petrol
Detour (in driving directions): Diversion
Parking Lot: Car Park
Education:
Preschool: Nursery/Reception
Elementary School: Primary School
High School: Secondary School
College: University/Uni (this is confusing - in the USA, University and College are fairly interchangeable, but in the UK they're different levels of schooling)
Math: Maths
High School: Secondary School
Study/Studying: Revision/Revising
Miscellaneous:
Bangs (as in hair): Fringe
Pacifier: Dummy
Stroller: Pram
Diaper: Nappy
Line: Queue
Period: Full Stop
Zip Code: Postcode
Trash: Rubbish
Trash Can: Bin
Eraser: Rubber
Flashlight: Torch
Apartment: Flat
Elevator: Lift
Pharmacy: Chemist
Counter-clockwise: Anti-clockwise
Mail/Mailman/Mailbox: Post/Postman/Letter Box
Vacation: Holiday
Which words did I miss out? What surprised you? Let me know!
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