Americal English or British English
( even the Cookie Monster has to figure it out )
Check out his funny anecdote:
Marvin found himself in London a few weeks ago for a job interview for the position of a graphics designer, when he realised that he had packed only jeans. Marvin decided to go to a big department store to by some casual pants to wear for the interview but when he went to the sales lady and asked her for some nice, casual pants to wear to a job interview he had, she first gave him a rather funny look, then smiled and said "Wow, you really want to be prepared for everything, don't you ..." Thinking that she was just being extra friendly and even funny ( British humour ! go figure !!! ) she lead him to the underwear section and started to show him several styles...she asked Marvin " do you prefer boxers, fitted ones, a thong maybe ..." she then winked at him and showed him a leopard printed thong!!! Oh my gosh, I just wanted some decent, casual pants for my interview !!! he thought... So he politely said no thanks and pointed to what looked like the pants section in the distance. "Oh! you want to buy some TROUSERS!!!, I'm so sorry, you are American aren't you? " "Uh, yes! I'm from New Jersey..." she again smiled and said " I understand now...if you take the LIFT, you will find some more styles on the 5th floor....." " A lift????? take the lift??? OH, the ELEVATOR ! got ya!"
So just to avoid finding ourselves in a rather sticky situation like Marvin did or the Cookie a.k.a. Biscuit Monster, here is a list of words that might help you:
| British English | American English |
| anti-clockwise | counter-clockwise |
| articulated lorry | trailer truck |
| autumn | autumn, fall |
| barrister | attorney |
| bill (restaurant) | bill, check |
| biscuit | cookie |
| block of flats | apartment building |
| bonnet (clothing) | hat |
| bonnet (car) | hood |
| boot | trunk |
| caravan | trailer |
| car park | parking lot |
| chemist's shop | drugstore, pharmacy |
| chest of drawers | dresser, chest of drawers, bureau |
| chips | fries, French fries |
| the cinema | the movies |
| clothes peg | clothespin |
| coffin | coffin, casket |
| crisps | potato chips |
| crossroads | intersection; crossroads (rural) |
| cupboard | cupboard (in kitchen); closet (for clothes etc) |
| diversion | detour |
| drawing-pin | thumbtack |
| drink-driving | drunk driving |
| driving licence | driver's license |
| dual carriageway | divided highway |
| dummy (for baby) | pacifier |
| dustbin | garbage can, trash can |
| dustman | garbage collector |
| engine | engine, motor |
| estate agent | real estate agent |
| estate car | station wagon |
| film | film, movie |
| flat | apartment, flat, studio |
| flat tyre | flat tire |
| flyover | overpass |
| gearbox (car) | transmission |
| gear-lever | gearshift |
| Girl Guide | Girl Scout |
| ground floor | ground/first floor |
| handbag | handbag, purse, shoulder bag |
| high street | main street |
| holiday | vacation |
| hood (car) | convertible top |
| jam | jam, preserves |
| jug | jug, pitcher |
| juggernaut | 18-wheeler |
| lift | elevator |
| lorry | truck, semi, tractor |
| mad | crazy, insane |
| main road | highway |
| maize | corn |
| maths | math |
| motorbike | motorcycle |
| motorway | freeway, expressway |
| motorway | highway, freeway, expressway, interstate highway, interstate |
| nappy | diaper |
| naughts and crosses | tic-tack-toe |
| pants, underpants | underpants, drawers |
| pavement | sidewalk |
| pet hate | pet peeve |
| petrol | gas, gasoline |
| The Plough | Big Dipper |
| pocket money | allowance |
| post | |
| postbox | mailbox |
| postcode | zip code |
| postman | mailman, mail carrier, letter carrier |
| pub | bar |
| public toilet | rest room, public bathroom |
| railway | railroad |
| return (ticket) | round-trip |
| reverse charge | collect call |
| ring road | beltway, freeway/highway loop |
| road surface | pavement, blacktop |
| roundabout | traffic circle, roundabout |
| rubber | eraser |
| rubbish | garbage, trash |
| rubbish-bin | garbage can, trashcan |
| saloon (car) | sedan |
| shop | shop, store |
| silencer (car) | muffler |
| single (ticket) | one-way |
| solicitor | lawyer, attorney |
| spanner | wrench |
| sweets | candy |
| taxi | taxi, taxi cab |
| tea towel | dish towel |
| telly (informal), TV | television, TV |
| third-party insurance | liability insurance |
| timetable | schedule |
| tin | can |
| toll motorway | toll road, turnpike |
| torch | flashlight |
| trousers | pants, trousers |
| tube (train) | subway |
| underground (train) | subway |
| vest | undershirt |
| waistcoat | vest |
| wallet | wallet, billfold |
| wellington boots | rubber boots, rain boots |
| whisky | whisky/whiskey |
| windscreen | windshield |
| zip | zipper |
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