Regrettably, Americans are famous for destroying the Queen’s English. But when you visit the States, even if you don’t want to
sound like the Yanks, you’ll still want to be able to converse with them. So here are some common British words with their
American equivalents. We’ve even grouped them into travel-related categories for you.
Clothing
- Bum Bag – Fanny Pack
- Dressing Gown – Robe
- Jumper – Sweater
- Tights – Pantyhose
- Trainers – Tennis Shoes
- Trousers – Pants
- Knickers or Smalls – Underwear or Panties
- Swimming Costume – Bathing Suit
General Travel
- Banklink or Hole in the Wall – ATM or Teller
- Bureau de Change – Currency Exchange
- Fortnight – Two Weeks
- Holiday – Vacation
- Loo, Toilet or Watercloset – Restroom
- Mobile – Cell
- Public Day Off – Holiday
- Queue – Line
- Quid – Buck
Hotel
- Duvet – Comforter
- Lift – Elevator
- Reception – Front Desk
- Tap – Faucet
- Wardrobe – Closet
Medical
- Casualty – Emergency Room
- Chemist – Drug Store or Pharmacist
- Surgery – Doctor’s Office
Miscellaneous
- Bin – Trashcan
- Cinema – Movie Theater
- Fag – Cigarette
- Football – Soccer
- Hair Grip – Barrette or Bobby Pin
- Hoover – Vacuum Cleaner
- Interval – Intermission
- Off-Licence – Liquor Store
- Plaster – Band-Aid
- Rubber – Eraser
- Rubbish – Trash
- Solicitor – Lawyer
- Torch – Flashlight
Parenting
- Cot – Crib
- Nappy – Diaper
- Pram – Baby Buggy
- Pushchair – Stroller
Restaurant
- Banger – Sausage
- Bap – Roll or Hamburger Bun
- Biscuit – Cookie
- Candyfloss – Cotton Candy
- Chips – Fries
- Crisps – Potato Chips
- Courgette – Zucchini
- Fairy Cake – Cupcake
- Gherkin – Pickle
- HP Sauce – Similar to A1 Sauce
- Jacket Potato – Baked Potato
- Lemonade – 7UP or Sprite
- Main – Entrée
- Mash – Mashed Potatoes
- Mince – Ground Beef
- Rasher – Slice of Bacon
- Rump Steak – Sirloin Steak
- Semi-skimmed Milk – 2% or Lowfat Milk
- Starter – Appetizer
- Take-away – To Go
- Tin – Can
Transportation
- Bonnet – Hood
- Boot – Trunk
- Car Hire – Car Rental
- Caravan – Trailer
- Carparks – Parking Lots
- Diversion – Detour
- Fire Engine – Fire Truck
- Footpaths or Footways – Sidewalks
- Indicator Lights – Blinkers
- Lollipop Man/Lady – Crossing Guard
- Lorry – Truck
- Manual – Stickshift
- Motorway – Highway or Freeway
- Number Plate – Licence Plate
- Petrol – Gas
- Petrol Station – Gas Station
- Windscreen – Windshield
- Zebra Crossing – Crosswalk
Written by Travel Gal, Renee Libutti