British Equivalents

British Equivalents

I was in a work group known as the "Solution Center." They decided to change the spelling to "Solution Centre," thinking that would make us more global. I decided we ought to be as consistent as possible, so I encourged my coworkers to adopt other changes. . . .

NOTE: For a more authoritative source, not to mention more extensive--oops, I mentioned it--you should look into The Septic's Companion: A British Slang Dictionary. It was written by a Scotsman living in America. You won't find out what a "septic" is on this page; you need to see the book!


























SPELL THIS . . . LIKE THIS . . .
acknowledgment => acknowledgement
aluminum => aluminium (al-yoo-MIN-ee-um)
analyze => analyse
artifact => artefact
apologize => apologise
behavior => behaviour
capitalize => capitalise (kuh-PIT-uh-lize)
center => centre
candor => candour
catalog => catalogue
clue => clew
color => colour
defense => defence
dependent
independent
=> dependant
independant
diarrhea => diarrhoea
dispatch => despatch
favor
favorite
=> favour
favourite
fiber => fibre
harbor => harbour
honor => honour
humor => humour
inquire
inquiry
=> enquire
enquiry
jail => gaol
Jeffrey => Geoffrey
jeweler => jeweller
judgment => judgement
labor => labour
maneuver => manoeuvre
minimize => minimise
neighbor => neighbour
odor => odour
organize
organization
=> organise
organisation
plow => plough
prize => prise
program => programme
pajamas => pyjamas
realize => realise
recognize => recognise
rumor => rumour
savior => saviour
specialize => specialise
standardize => standardise
tire => tyre
traveled
traveling
=> travelled
travelling
PRONOUNCE THIS . . . LIKE THIS . . .
again => uh-GAIN
been => BEAN
Bethlehem => BED-lum
Buckingham => BUCK-num
controversy => cun-TRAH-ver-see
debris => DEB-ree
decal => DECK-uhl
distributor => Diss-truh-BYOO-tur
draw
drawing
=> DROR
DROR-ing
figure => FIG-grr
film => FILL-um
formidable => for-MIDD-uh-bull
garage => GAIR-uhj
helicopter => HELL-ee-cop-tur
hurricane => HUR-uh-cun
idea => eye-DEER
invalid => IN-vuh-Leed
jaguar => JAG-yuh-wer
laboratory => luh-BOAR-uh-tree
lieutenant => lef-TENN-unt
manatory => MAN-duh-tree
methane => MEE-thain
migratory => my-GRAIT-uh-ree
military => MILL-uh-tree
missile => MIS-syle
mobile phone => MOH-byle Foan
pentagon => PEN-tuh-g'n
potato => puh-TAH-toh
predecessor => PREE-duh-Sess-er
privacy => PRIH-vuh-see
process => PROH-sess
progress => PROH-gress
project (n.) => PROH-jekt
resource => ruh-ZOARCE
rigor mortis => RYE-gur MOR-tis
router => ROOT-er
schedule => SHED-jool
simultaneous => sihm-uhl-TAIN-ee-uss
situation => sitch-ee-AY-shun
status => STAY-tus
tomato => tuh-MAH-toh
INSTEAD OF THIS . . . SAY THIS . . .
advice columnist => agony aunt
among => amongst
apartment => flat
around (as in "go around," etc.) => round
attorney or lawyer => barrister (higher court)
solicitor (lower court)
baby buggy => pram
billfold => notecase
billion
trillion
quadrillion
etc.
=> milliard
billion
trillion
etc.
bold (attitude) => cheeky
bottom (anatomy) => bum
brunch => elevenses
built-in => inbuilt
can (food storage) => tin
candy => lollies
carnival => fun fair
Checkers (game) => Drafts
chewing gum => chewy
close to eight o'clock => close on eight o'clock
cigarette => fag
civilian life => civvy street
cookie => biscuit
couch / sofa / davenport => chesterfield
crazy => dilapidated
dessert (in general) => pudding
diaper => nappy
divided highway => dual carriageway
dreamed => dreamt
eighth note
16th note
32nd note
64th note
=> quaver
semiquaver
demisemiquaver
hemidemisemiquaver
eight-thirty => half-eight
elevator => lift
envision => envisage
eraser (pencil) => rubber
especially => specially
flashlight => torch
forgo this => give this a miss
friend => mate
french fries => chips
garbage => rubbish
garbage can
garbage man
=> dustbin
dustman
garter belt => suspenders
gasoline => petrol
ground (electrical systems) => earth
guy => bloke
half step (music) => semitone
hang up (the phone) => ring off
headcheese => brawn
hemorrhoids => piles
high gear (of a vehicle) => top gear
highway => motorway or carriageway
hit (a computer key) => tap
hood (of a vehicle) => bonnet
I'd rather not . . . => I don't say but what I hadn't rather . . .
idiot => muppet
in the hospital => in hospital
intersection (city street) => junction
it has to do with . . . => it is to do with . . .
January 1, 2000 (etc) => 1st January, 2000 (etc)
learned => learnt
line => queue
low gear or first gear (of a vehicle) => bottom gear
mail route => posty route
memo => chit
minute => click
moment => crack
mom or mother => mum
morning => forenoon
motorcycle => motorbike
nerd => swot
outfit (clothing) => costume
pharmacist => chemist
potato chips => crisps
pry => prise
pruning shears => secateurs
railroad => railway
residential area => housing estate
restroom or bathroom => loo
right away => straightaway
run (in a stocking) => ladder
sedan => saloon
sausage => banger
shopping cart => trolley
slash (punctuation mark) => stroke
slowdown (n. meaning traffic jam) => go-slow
smelled => smelt
sneakers => plimsolls
soccer => football
so-so => quite good
Solitaire (card game) => Patience
spa => hydro
specialty => speciality
spelled => spelt
spoiled => spoilt
subway => tube
summon => knock up
suspenders => braces
sweater => jumper
take-out => take-away
television or TV => telly
That takes the cake! => That takes the biscuit!
The group is . . . => The group are . . .
The line is busy. => The line is engaged.
ticktacktoe => noughts and crosses
tidbit => titbit
tired => knackered
traffic circle => roundabout
trash => rubbish
truck => lorry
trunk (of a vehicle) => boot
try it => give it a go
tuna => tunny
turn around => turn round
umbrella => brolly
underpants (men's) => pants
underpants (women's) => knickers
undershirt => singlet
underwear => smalls
vacation => holiday
wallet => notecase
wake someone up => knock someone up
week from tomorrow => tomorrow week
while => whilst
windshield => windscreen
wrench => spanner
yard => garden
You're putting me on! => You're getting me on!
Z => zed
zipper => zip fastener
=>
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