List of American English vs British English words

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Supposedly, it's the Brits who call corn "maize." I heard they now call it "corn," like we do.

I do know that "corn" meant "all grains" back in the 19th century in England----think "Corn Laws."

Corn originally meant "all grains". And it still means that in England. The Brits use the word "maize" for the grain introduced to Europeans by the American Indians.

In America the indigenous tribes showed the English settlers how to grow the stuff that they, the Indians, called "Maize". Ironically folks back in Britain call it by the Native American word, "Maize". But the settlers in America called it "Indian corn", and then just "corn" - thus Americans narrowed the word "corn" down to meaning just that one kind of grain. And ironically Americans virtually never use the American Indian word "maize" for the biggest crop in America which was first domesticated in North America.

I know my wife's son, who is a resident of SE London, calls corn "corn-on-a-cob."

Faucet = tap.

In the South, the indoor faucet is sometimes called a "spigot." If it's an "outdoor faucet," it is called a "spigot" in all areas.

We call water from the faucet "tap water." So "tap" is in American English, too. Occasionally, "tap" is even used for "faucet." Especially in the sentence: "Could you get me some water from the tap?"

In bars in the US, beers are given to people "on tap," if it's not from a bottle. Where the beer originates is similar to a faucet---if not actually a faucet.

A torch is just a burning stick held high to illuminate. That's what they used for portable illumination back in the days of old.

In the UK the just transferred the term "torch" to battery operated portable illuminating devices. What Americans call "flashlights". Makes sense.

A blow torch shoots a flame. And its called that on either side of the Atlantic apparently.

A military "flamethrower" actually shoots a stream of flaming liquid ( typically a mix of gasoline and oil) fhat can actually coat the target in flaming liquid. A lot more than shooting a flame at a target like a blow torch.

I moved this from another thread.

UK - US

Aeroplane - Airplane
Bonnet - Hood (for cars)
Boot - Trunk (for cars)

Not gonna list either terms because, well...


From my experience, Philippine English kinda uses both American and British English terms (not just the two), and is likely confused if not switching between the two.
Or make certain equivalent terms into something a bit more specific. On top of having it's own terms that confuses both American, British, or any main English speakers/readers.

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