Chips or fries? Jelly on toast? Cheese & onion chips? Awesome fanny? We may speak the same language but do we actually mean the same thing? Fortunately this handy British - US glossary is the ideal companion for potential freshmen hot-footing it across the channel...
THE AMERICANS
| British | American |
| 1st year | Freshman |
| 2nd year | Sophomore |
| 3rd year | Junior |
| 4th year | Senior |
| Secondary School/6th Form College | High-School |
| State-financed University | Public School |
| Uni | College/School |
| Year group | Class (as in ‘My class is graduating tomorrow’) |
| FOOD | |
| 100s and 1000s | Sprinkles |
| Aubergine | Eggplant |
| Chips | French Fries |
| Courgette | Zucchini |
| Crisps | Chips |
| Fish Fingers | Fish Sticks |
| Jam | Jelly |
| Jelly | Jello |
| Porridge | Oatmeal |
| Pudding | Dessert |
| Tinned | Canned |
| YOG-hurt | YO-ghurt |
| RELATIONSHIPS | |
| Bloke | Guy |
| Fit | Cute/Hot |
| Going out | Dating |
| Mingin' | Gross |
| Pull | Hook-up |
| Snog | Kiss |
| CLOTHES | |
| Braces | Suspenders(!) |
| Jumper | Sweater |
| Trainers | Sneakers |
| Trousers | Pants |
| Waistcoat | Vest |
|
Pants Underpants |
|
| IN GENERAL | |
| 'Sorry' | 'Excuse-Me' |
| Anti-Clockwise | Counter Clockwise |
| Athlete | Jock |
| Autumn | Fall |
| Backside/Bum | Fanny/Tush |
| Black Tie Dance | Formal |
| Boot (of car) | Trunk |
| Brilliant | Awesome |
| Chemist | Drug-Store |
| Clever | Smart |
| Condom | Rubber |
| Fags | Cigarettes |
| Film | Movie |
| Flat | Apartment |
| Football | Soccer |
| Fringe | Bangs |
| Full Stop | Period |
| Gents | Men's Room |
| Lift | Elevator |
| Queue | Line |
| Loo | Bathroom/Restroom |
| Maths | Math |
| Mobile | Cell phone |
| Nappy | Diapers |
| Nerd | Geek |
| Pavement | Sidewalk |
| Petrol | Gas |
| Post | |
| Post-code | Zip-code |
| Pub | Bar |
| Rubber | Eraser |
| Rucksack | Backpack |
| Shag | A type of dance |
| Smart | Well-dressed |
| Sofa | Couch |
| Tap | Faucet |
| Tea-towel | Dish-cloth |
| Underground/Tube | Subway |
| Very | Quite (can be a compliment) |
| Washing-Up | Doing the dishes |
One More Tip
When an American says, ‘Hey, what’s up?’ to you, they do NOT expect a five-minute answer on your cheating boyfriend, overdue paper and aching back. In fact, it is a mere formality – answer with a casual ‘Not much’.
