When you speak English, you might think the words are the same everywhere, but American English and British English can be quite different!
Some words you use in the US may mean something completely different in the UK, even though they sound exactly the same. This can make conversations a bit confusing when talking to someone from “across the pond.”
Knowing these differences can help you avoid misunderstandings and make your conversations much smoother!
1. Pants
- American English: “Pants” refers to what you wear on your legs (trousers).
- British English: “Pants” means underwear. The word for what Americans call pants is “trousers” in British English.
The word “pants” comes from “pantaloons,” which were worn in the 1600s in Europe, named after a character in Italian theater called Pantalone. It evolved into different meanings in the UK and the US.
2. Biscuit
- American English: A “biscuit” is a soft bread, often served with meals.
- British English: A “biscuit” is a hard, sweet snack (like a cookie in the US).
The word “biscuit” comes from the Latin words “bis” (twice) and “coquere” (to cook), meaning “twice-baked.” This referred to how early biscuits were made. Over time, the meaning changed in the US and UK.
3. Homely
- American English: “Homely” means unattractive or plain in appearance.
- British English: “Homely” means cozy, comfortable, or like home.
The word “homely” comes from the Old English “hāmlic,” which means “belonging to the home.” It had a warm, positive meaning in both languages until it took on a negative connotation in the US.
4. Nonplussed
- American English: “Nonplussed” usually means unfazed or not bothered, but this is a newer meaning.
- British English: “Nonplussed” means confused or surprised, unsure how to react.
From the Latin phrase “non plus,” meaning “no more.” It originally meant being so confused you couldn’t go further in the conversation. Over time, the American meaning shifted.
5. Trainers
- American English: These are called “sneakers” or “tennis shoes,” used for exercise or casual wear.
- British English: “Trainers” are athletic shoes, used for running or sports.
The name “trainers” comes from the word “training shoes,” because they are used for sports and physical training. “Sneakers” in the US comes from the idea that the rubber soles allowed people to “sneak” around quietly.
6. Rubber
- American English: In the U.S., “rubber” is a slang term for a condom.
- British English: In the U.K., a “rubber” refers to an eraser, something used to remove pencil marks.
The word “rubber” comes from the verb “to rub.” It was first used in the 1700s for erasers made from natural rubber, a material that could “rub out” mistakes.
7. Jumper
- American English: A “jumper” is a dress worn over a shirt or blouse, like a sleeveless dress.
- British English: A “jumper” is what Americans call a “sweater,” worn to keep warm.
The British meaning of “jumper” comes from the 19th century and was used for a type of loose jacket. Over time, it became a term for sweaters. The American version comes from the French word “jupe,” meaning a type of dress.
8. Table
- American English: “To table” something means to delay or postpone discussing it.
- British English: “To table” something means to bring it up for discussion right away.
The word “table” comes from Latin “tabula,” meaning a flat board. In both countries, it kept the meaning of a flat surface. For discussions, it became linked to setting something on the table.
Over time, the action of putting things on the table changed meaning in the US and UK.
9. Braces
- American English: “Braces” are devices worn in the mouth to straighten teeth.
- British English: “Braces” are suspenders used to hold up trousers.
The word “braces” comes from Old French “bracier,” meaning arms or something that supports. In both languages, it kept the idea of something that holds things in place, but the US and UK use it for different things (teeth or trousers).
10. Trolley
- American English: A “trolley” is often a streetcar or tram that runs on tracks in cities.
- British English: A “trolley” is a cart you use for shopping (what Americans call a “shopping cart”).
The word “trolley” comes from the verb “troll,” meaning to roll or move on wheels. In the 1800s, it was used for streetcars in the US and carts in the UK.
11. Plaster
- American English: “Plaster” is a material used on walls or ceilings to make them smooth.
- British English: “Plaster” can also mean what Americans call a “Band-Aid,” a small sticky strip used to cover cuts.
The word “plaster” comes from the Greek word “emplastron,” meaning something molded. It was used for building material but also for medical dressings, leading to different meanings in the US and UK.
12. Chips
- American English: “Chips” are thin, crispy snacks made from potatoes (what the British call “crisps”).
- British English: “Chips” are thick-cut fried potatoes, what Americans call “French fries.”
The word “chips” comes from the verb “chip,” meaning to cut or break off pieces. Over time, the way potatoes were cut and cooked led to different meanings in the US and UK for these potato snacks.
13. Vest
- American English: “Vest” refers to a sleeveless garment worn over a shirt, usually as part of formal wear like a suit. It’s similar to what’s known as a waistcoat in British English.
- British English: “Vest” means an undershirt, a piece of clothing worn under other clothes, often for warmth.
The word “vest” comes from the French word veste, which originally meant a jacket or coat, and from the Latin vestis, meaning garment. The use of “vest” in English began in the 17th century.
Over time, the word gained other meanings, like the American slang for condoms, because condoms are often made from rubber material.
It’s fun to learn how language changes from place to place, and it reminds us that even though we speak the same language, our words can tell different stories. So, next time you hear a word that sounds familiar, you’ll know it might mean something totally different “across the pond!”
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
