Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Don't put your foot in it. These British words mean something entirely different in the US.
- Brits and Americans might speak the same language, but there are plenty of British words, phrases, and slang that mean something totally different in America.
- These differences can cause embarrassment or even get you into trouble. If you ask a British woman about her pants, for example, she'll assume you're asking about her underwear, not her trousers.
- Brush up on these British words, phrases, and slang that mean something completely different in America to avoid any trouble down the road.
It's been said that England and America are two countries divided by a common language.
Different words, different pronunciations, and different spellings have created two distinct separations in the English language: British English and American English.
Words, phrases, and slang that mean one thing in the UK often mean a totally different thing in the US - and vice versa.
As a British expat living in New York, I can tell you with absolute certainty that there's nothing worse than saying something to an American and being met with a blank stare or a stifled giggle. I'm ashamed to admit that I've accidentally ordered a doughy, cheesy, savory "biscuit" instead of a cookie more than once.
Here are some common British words, phrases, and slang that mean something entirely different across the pond in America: