American (US) vs British (UK) English

British English (BE) vs American English (AE): If your mother tongue is not English, or of you do not live in an English speaking country, it can get confusing (especially the spellings). Here’s more on the differences.

While people in both England and the U.S. speak the English language, the two types of English can be very different.

First, there are differences in spelling. The British like the letter “u” and have kept it in many words. Americans have dropped it. Somewhere in our language history, we decided that “labor,” “color” and “favorite” were just fine without the “u” next to the “o.”

But our differences go beyond spelling. Sometimes, we use different words entirely.

American (US) vs British (UK) English

• In US, people live in apartments with elevators. In UK, they live in flats with lifts.
• In UK, the word pram is used, instead of stroller. In US, parents use diapers on the babies and push them in strollers. The British use ‘nappies’ and prams instead.
• In US, the cars are powered with gas. In UK, its powered with petrol.
• In US, a flashlight is used to search in darkness. In UK, a torch is used to search in the dark.

Then there are idioms. Some British and American idioms have the same meaning, but use different words.

• For example, in the U.S. if you want to add your opinion to a conversation, you put in your two cents. In the U.K., they put in their tuppence (or two pence) worth. Makes sense. UK has pence and US doesn’t.
• Another example is the idiom about discussing the same issue again and again, especially if it cannot be resolved.
  In US, people say “Don’t beat a dead horse!” The British, on the other hand, advise against flogging one. And, if you are keeping secrets in the United States, you have skeletons in the closet. In Great Britain, your skeletons would be hiding in a cupboard.

  But the real fun begins when you start exploring idioms and expressions that are unique to each country.

• Sometimes over a fresh pot of coffee, you may want to have a long talk with a friend. You might even throw in a little gossip. In US, people call that a chat, or if it’s a short conversation, chit-chat. The British would call it a “chin-wag.”
• If a British person says, “I’ve got the hump,” an American might think they are sick and need to see a doctor. But in fact, when Brits say they have a hump, it means they are mildly annoyed or upset. In the U.S., some informal ways to say we are upset are “I’m ticked off” or “I’m miffed.”
• Now, when Americans are really surprised by something, we can say we “are at a loss for words.” Or more informally, we simply say we are “shocked” or “blown away.”
  Across the Atlantic in the U.K., they are “gobsmacked.” In the U.S., people don’t get smacked by gobs. Ever.
• In America, the word “cheers” is used over drinks when people are wishing someone good health or congratulating an accomplishment. The British use “cheers” to mean “thank you.” For that, we Americans say, “Thank you!”

More Examples

or (American) vs. our (British)
color – colour
favorite – favourite
honor – honour

ze (American) vs. se (British)
analyze – analyse
criticize – criticise
memorize – memorise

ll (American) vs. l (British)
enrollment – enrolment
fulfill – fulfil
skillful – skilful

er (American) vs. re (British)
center – centre
meter – metre
theater – theatre

og (American) vs. ogue (British)
analog – analogue
catalog – catalogue
dialog – dialogue

ck or k (American) vs. que (British)
bank – banque
check – cheque
checker – chequer

dg vs. dge (or g vs. ge) (American vs British)
aging – ageing
judgment – judgement

ense (American) vs. ence (British)
defense – defence
license – licence

Other (American vs British)
jewelry – jewellery
draft – draught
pajamas – pyjamas
plow – plough
program – programme
tire – tyre

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