Common American English words used in daily life vs British English equivalents!!!
Common words in Daily routine/ activities
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American English word
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British English equivalent
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Explanation and usage.
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Gas | Petrol | In US, you would say, I need to fill gas in my car before it I run out of fuel. Gas means liquid petroleum and NOT natural LPG Gas |
Trash, Garbage | Rubbish, dirt | Trash is used in different ways like: Pick up the garbage and put it in the trash can. Do not trash the place. |
Trash Can | Dustbin | No dustbin word used here…Just trash can or Shredder for disposing the paper |
Rest room | Toilet | Instead of saying, I want to go to toilet, you would say: “I would like to use the rest room”. Bath room is also used, but means |
Shower | Bath | Lets say if you want to take bath, people say: I need to shower. Also like, I was taking shower when you called me. ‘I need to quickly jump in the shower before I take off to meeting’. |
Bag (plastic or paper) | Cover (plastic) | Usually in India, we say ‘can I get my stuff in a plastic cover’. Here in US, people say “Can I get a bag for the stuff?” . It is used for both plastic and paper. When you do shopping, here the cashier would ask “Receipt with you or in the bag”. People say, ‘in the bag please J or no’ |
Bike | Bicycle | We often get confused when Americans use bike. It means bicycle |
Motorcycle | Motorbike or bike | The name says it. |
Zip code | Pin code | Postal pin code in other countries vs Zip code in US for postal purposes. |
Check | Bill | Typically in restaurant after you are done with meal, you ask for check in US from the waiter. |
Elevator | Lift | No one uses lift, it is elevator in US |
Football | American Foot ball | Americans consider football means by default as American football |
Soccer | Football | People say Soccer when they refer to actual football. In Europe and everywhere we call football, but here in US they say it soccer. |
Glasses | Specs or Spectacles | Eye glasses used for faulty vision |
Cookies | Biscuits | Cookie means just biscuit and usually very sweet biscuit |
Garage | Place where you park your car in apartment complex or your dedicated place to park car | |
Store | Shop | Any shop is called store |
Flashlight | Torch | Torch light that we use in darkness |
Flat tire | Tire puncture | Usually when the tire gets puncture by any metal or thorns |
Vacation | Holiday | When someone has taken a holiday, people usually say he is on vacation. |
Bill | Note | 100 dollar bill vs 100 rupee notes when dealing with cash |
Cheese Burger | It is understood that it is a Beef burger with cheese on it and not just Cheese between bun ! | |
Cologne | It is Men’s fragrance. In India, people use Perfume for both male and female. When you say perfume, it is only for women in US or any part of the world. Just a common mistake in usage of words. | |
Creamer | When mixing coffee, people in USA use creamer, which is equivalent of milk. | |
Yogurt | Curd | We use the word Curd a lot. You have to specifically say Yogurt. Butter Milk is common though. It is same. |
Flour is pronounced as Flower | One of my friends had a bad experience in Walmart and had to literally write it on paper. So make sure you pronounce it right, otherwise you get wrong product J . Listen to pronunciation to clarify. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/flour | |
Meat or Red meat, Chicken | Non-Vegetarian | We are used to saying I am a non-vegetarian, in US people might get lost. You have to say, I eat meat or chicken. When you go to a restaurant, if you are a vegetarian, you should say “NO Meat or Chicken” otherwise, you may find interesting stuff as a vegetarian in your food J |
Truck | Lorry | We use lorry a lot in daily life, but here in US, people call by truck. The trucks are huge here |
Mailbox / Mail | Postbox / Post | In US, usage: “I have to mail this package today. Let me dropt it off at the nearest mailbox.” |