http://www.aarweb.org/Meetings/Annual_Meeting/Current_Meeting/Travel_Information/British-US.asp
British-U.S. English: Common Differences
People in the U.S. – especially in the tourist industry – are familiar with most of the following; therefore serious confusion is rare. Nonetheless, we provide this list in case it is helpful.
Please note especially the color-coded pairs, which highlight different meanings for the same word.
| Category | U.S. | British | Note(s) |
| General | ATM | cashpoint | |
| ball-point pen | biro | ||
| check (restaurant) | bill | In the U.S., "bill" connotes an invoice sent by mail. | |
| chemist | pharmacy | In the U.S., "chemist" refers exclusively to a chemical scientist. | |
| elevator | lift | In the U.S., "lift" refers to a small, open device that people in wheelchairs use to go up half flights of stairs. | |
| ground floor, first floor, second floor, etc. |
first floor, second floor, third floor, etc. |
"Ground floor" and "first floor" are synonyms in the U.S. | |
| trash can/garbage can | dustbin/rubbish bin | ||
| Food | hamburger bun | bap | |
| chips (potato chips) | crisps | ||
| cookies | biscuits | In the U.S., "biscuits" are unsweetened light bread. | |
| cotton candy | candyfloss | ||
| eggplant | aubergine | ||
| french fries | chips | In the U.S., "chips" are what the British call "crisps." | |
| gelatin | jelly | In the U.S., "jelly" is what the British call "jam." | |
| jelly | jam | ||
| zucchini | courgette | ||
| Clothing | pants | trousers | |
| pantyhose | tights | ||
| suspenders | braces | ||
| undershirt | vest | In the U.S., a "vest" is what the British call a "waistcoat." | |
| underwear | pants | In the U.S., "pants" are what the British call "trousers." | |
| vest | waistcoat | ||
| Travel | hood (car) | bonnet | |
| one-way trip | single | "Single" in the U.S. will be understood to indicate one person making a journey, not a ticket for only one direction. | |
| round trip | return ticket | While "return ticket" will usually be understood, it could lead to misunderstanding in that the clerk may think you have already made independent arrangements of some sort for the journey to a destination, but wish to go ahead and reserve a ticket to come back. | |
| sidewalk | pavement | In the U.S., "pavement" refers to the road surface, generally the part that cars drive on. | |
| subway | tube/underground | ||
| truck | lorry | ||
| trunk (car) | boot |
