Assuming that American and English speak the same English can be recipe for disaster on a trip to either Britain or to America. There are differences between British English and American English. There are the spelling differences such the use of –or in American English and –our in British English (Example color vs. colour). There are also the differences in the way American and British English’s vowels pronunciations and general word pronunciations. Some words have completely different meanings such as biscuit which in American English is a type of quick bread or in British English a scone. To hear the differences in the American and English pronunciations visit the UCLA phonetics website. Differences also spread beyond the words to include a difference in book and movie titles and the differences in the computer keyboard.

For a good place to learn how to speak British, visit The Very Best of British website. This site is touted as an Americans guide to speaking British.

For fun, take a vocabulary quiz or learn about the differences in web content.

British English - American English

Aerial - Antenna Aluminium - Aluminum

Antenatal - Prenatal

Anticlockwise - Counterclockwise

Articulated lorry - Tractor trailer

Aubergine - Eggplant

Autumn - Fall

Baggage reclaim - Baggage claim

Banger - Sausage

Bank holiday - National holiday

Bicentenary - Bicentennial

Bill - Check

Bin liner - Trash bag

Biscuit - Cookie

Bobby or copper - Policeman or cop

Bonnet - Hood

Bookings - Reservations

Boot - Trunk

Botanic garden - Botanical garden

Box or telly - TV or television

Braces - Suspenders

Bungalow - House (one story)

Cafe or caff - Diner

Candy floss - Cotton candy

Car journey or drive - Road trip

Car park - Parking lot

Carriageway - Four lane road

Cashier - Teller

Charity - Non-profit

Cheap - Inexpensive

Chemist - Drug store or pharmacist

Chemists - Pharmacy

Chips - French fries

Cinema - Movie theatre

Coach - Bus

Come round - Come over

Cornflour - Cornstarch

Cot - Crib

Couch or settee - Sofa

Courgette - Zucchini

Crisps - Chips potato

Diversion - Detour

Downmarket - Downscale

Drawing pins - Pushpins or thumbtacks

Dressing gown - Bath robe

Drink-driving - Drunk driving

Driving licence - Driver's license

Dual carriageway - Divided highway

Dummy - Pacifier

Dustbin - Trash can

Dustman - Garbage man

Eggy bread (fried) - French toast

Engaged - Busy (phone)

Exhaust pipe - Tail pipe or muffler

Fairy cake - Cup cake

Fee - Tuition

Fire engine - Fire truck

Fish fingers - Fish sticks

Fittings - Fixtures

Flat - Apartment

Flat battery - Dead battery

Flyover - Overpass

Football - Soccer

Fourway - Crossroads

Freephone - Toll-free

Frock - Dress

Full lights - High beams

Full stop - Period

Garden - Backyard / yard

Gear lever - Gear shift

Gents - Men's

Grub - Food

Hand basin - Sink

Headmaster - Principal

Hire car - Rental car

Holiday - Vacation

Hoover - Vacuum

Ice lolly - Popsicle

Ill - Sick

Indicators - Turn Signals

Jacket potato - Baked potato

Jam - Jelly or Jam

Jelly - Jell-o

Jumper, pullover or jersey - Sweater

Knackered - Beat

Knickers - Underwear, panties

Lady bird - Lady bug

Laundrette - Laundromat

Licence - License

Lift - Elevator

Lights dipped - Low beams

Lollypop man - Crossing guard

Lorry - Truck

Macintosh or mac - Rain coat

Marking scheme - Grading scheme

Marquee - Tent

Maths - Math

Mince - Ground meat

Mince - Hamburger meat

Mobile phone - Cell phone Motorway - Expressway, Freeway, InterstateMum - Mom Nappy - Diaper

Nick - Steal

Nil - Nothing, Zero

Note - Bill

Nutter - Crazy person

Open day - Open house

Orbital - Beltway

Pavement - Sidewalk

Petrol - Gasoline

Petrol station - Gas station

Phone box - Telephone booth

Pinafore dress - Jumper

Pitch - Field (playing)

Plaster - Band-aid

Play or break time - Recess

Plimsolls - Gym shoes

Polo neck - Turtle neck

Post - Mail

Postman - Mailman

Pram - Stroller

Public school - Private school

Queue - Line

Quid - Bucks

Railway - Railroad

Rasher - Bacon

Read - Study for test

Return ticket - Round trip

Reverse charge call - Collect call

Reversing lights - Back-up lights

Rise - Raise (salary)

Rocket - Arugula

Roundabout - Circle, traffic

Rubber - Eraser

Rucksack - Backpack

Run the bath - Fill the tub

Runner beans - Green beans

Scone - Biscuit

Semi-detached house - Duplex

Shaft - Drive

Shoddy - Cheap

Shopping trolley - Shopping cart

Silencer - Muffler

Skip - Dumpster

Solicitor - Attorney, Lawyer

Spanner - Wrench

Staff room - Teachers lounge

Stand - Run (election)

Starkers - Naked

Starter - Appetizer

State school - Public school

Straight - Straightaway

Subway - Underpass

Surgery - Doctor's office

Suspenders - Garter

Sweets - Candy

Swimming costume - Bathing suit

Tailback - Traffic jam

Take-away - Take out

Tap - Faucet

Tarmac - Asphalt

Tea towel - Dish cloth

Terrace (row of houses joined) - Town house

To let - For rent

Toilet - Restroom, loo or the john - Bathroom or restroom

Torch - Flashlight

Trainers - Sneakers

Treble - Triple

Trodden on - Stepped on

Trolley - Cart - shopping

Trousers - Pants

Truck - Dump

Tube - Subway

Tyre - Tire

Unmade road - Dirt road

Upmarket - Upscale

Valve - Vacuum tube

Vest - Undershirt

Waistcoat - Vest

Walking frame - Walker

Wardrobe - Closet

Wellington boots or wellies - Galoshes

Window heater - Defogger or Defroster

Windscreen - Windshield

Wing - Fender

Zebra crossing or pedestrian crossing - Cross walk