Lesson 7 British English versus American English

Lesson Introduction

British and American Variants of English

Although most individuals who learn English as a second language are unware of it, the British and American variants of English are very different. However, native speakers of English are easily able to recognize the differences between the two dialects. There are a number of words that exist in the British variant of English that do not exist in the American variant of English and vice versa. There are also grammatical, spelling, and sentence contruction differences between the two variants. Although native speakers of American English and British English can usually communicate with one another with few misunderstandings there are many instances where clear communication may be made difficult due to the differences between the two variants. The likelihood of misunderstandings is even higher when non-native speakers of English mix together British and American English. This typically confuses the native speaker of English and can lead to many misunderstandings. It is important to note that although British English is widespread in use it is becoming second to American English in terms of popularity. This is especially true in terms of business and business communications. American English is quickly becoming the standard of English that is expected of those who learn English as a second language.

Common Words in Everyday Speech

British English words defined in American English

Blag (verb)- to mooch or get something for free

Blimey (exclamation word)- “wow” or “my goodness”

Brill (adjective)-shortened version of the word “brilliant”

Busk (verb)-to busk is to sit in the street playing music and hoping people will give you money for it.

Cheerio (exclamation word)-a light-hearted way of saying “goodbye”

Cheers (exclamation word)- “thank you” in informal conversations

Crikey (exclamation word)- an expression of surprise

Dear (adjective)- when used as an adjective it means, “expensive”

Fluke (noun)- a rather fortunate chance win, a stroke of luck

Give Over (exclamatory phrase)- equivalent to the American expression “Give me a break”.

Gobsmacked (adjective)- someone is very surprised or taken aback

Haver (verb)- to ramble incoherently, or to speak nonsense

Hire (verb)- the American word is “to rent”

Kip (noun)- sleep, a short nap

Natter (noun)- to gossip or to talk about nothing

Nick (verb/adjective)- as a verb it means to steal, as an adjective it means to be in some state of condition.

Phut (adjective)- something is described as such when it has died, expired, or breathed its last

Pinch (verb)- to steal

Post (noun)- equivalent to the American word, “mail”

Queue (noun)- a line of people

Rubbish (noun)- everyday waste, in American English, “trash” or “garbage”

Skive (verb)- to be absent for no real reason, “to play hookey”

Smashing (adjective)- describes something as being good or great

Sterling (adjective)- also describes something as being good or great

Tad (noun)- American equivalent is the word “bit” or “a bit”

Tick (noun)- a checkmark or a short space of time similar to a second

Wee (adjective)- equivalent to the American English word, “small”

Whinge (verb)- American equivalent is the word “whine”, “to whine”

Whoops-a-Daisy! (exclamatory phrase)- American equivalent is the phrase “Oops”

Wonky (adjective)- American equivalent is to say that something “just isn’t right”

Yonks (noun)- an unspecific length of time but typically used to describe some period of time from a minute to years.