I moved from the UK to the US 12 years ago — here are 21 British words I refuse to give up

Lydia WarrenJun 10, 2023, 16:53 IST

Wearing "wellies" and carrying a "brolly."Lydia Warren/Insider

I moved from London, England, to New York in 2011.
Over the past decade, I've adopted many American words so I don't have to keep explaining myself.

When I moved from the UK to the US in 2011, I mistakenly assumed that because Americans and Brits speak the same language, the transition would be seamless. But I quickly realized we don't speak the same language at all.

Twelve years later, I've naturally adopted many American words, sayings, and patterns of speech. This is true of words I use most often — sticking with the American versions saves me from having to explain myself each time.

However, I'm still holding on to many British words — words that make more sense to me, that don't have a satisfactory American equivalent, or that are simply fun to say.

Here are some of the British words I still use, a decade after moving to the US.

I wear jumpers and trousers, not sweaters and pants.

Kate Middleton wearing a jumper in 2019.Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images

And I'm still confused by the American use of the word "shirt" — in the UK, we only use it for items with buttons. Instead, I say "top."

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty.STEFAN ROUSSEAU/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

It doesn't rain as much in New York as it did in London, but when it does, I still wear wellies and take a brolly with me.

Wellies or Wellington boots.ChickenStock Images/Shutterstock

My house — not pictured — has a ground floor and a first floor, not a first floor and second floor.

In the UK, we say "ground floor" and "first floor," and that's the way it should be.Susan Law Cain/Shutterstock; Insider

In the UK, a terraced house is attached to other homes on both sides, and a semi-detached house is only attached on one side. I'm still not sure what the American equivalents are.

Terraced houses in London.Ron Ellis/Shutterstock

In the UK, a terraced house is attached to other homes on both sides, and a semi-detached house is only attached on one side. I'm still not sure what the American equivalents are.

Words like "higgledy-piggledy" and "wonky" just don't have suitable equivalents in the US — plus, they're fun to say.

The Crooked House in Suffolk, England, is both wonky and in a row of higgledy-piggledy buildings.abcbritain/Shutterstock

The word "jobby" — which I borrowed from my time living in Scotland — is a favorite of mine, and now my American relatives say it, too.

A sign warning people to pick up after their dog.Susan Edmondson/Shutterstock

Phrases like "I'm gutted" or "I'm chuffed" don't have American equivalents, either.

A gutted David Beckham after England's loss to France in 1994.FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images

As a new mother, I find some deeply ingrained words like "nappy" and "dummy" come to mind before the American words.

A baby wearing a nappy.Tatevik Bagdasaryan/Shutterstock

Travel also highlights some differences. It took me a while to realize "a return" does not have the same meaning in the US.

American passport with a ticket from London.Kanel Bulle/Getty Images

I also opt for some British words when it comes to car travel, like "boot," but I've found it's much easier to say "gas" instead of "petrol."

Car boot.Amy Lutz/Shutterstock

Similarly, using American words for food items makes things a lot easier, so I've converted to calling aubergine "eggplant," courgette "zucchini," and spring onions "scallions."

Food words in the US vs the US: Courgette and mangetout.Jon Kempner/Shutterstock

Similarly, using American words for food items makes things a lot easier, so I've converted to calling aubergine "eggplant," courgette "zucchini," and spring onions "scallions."

But "lasagna" should always be spelled "lasagne" — sorry America.

Lasagne.Nicolesy/Getty Images

Finally, although I've been here more than a decade, I still don't know whether 60 degrees Fahrenheit means it's hot or cold.

What's "very cold" in Fahrenheit?Lydia Warren/Insider

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I moved from the UK to the US 12 years ago &mdash; here are 21 British words I refuse to give up

I wear jumpers and trousers, not sweaters and pants.

And I'm still confused by the American use of the word "shirt" — in the UK, we only use it for items with buttons. Instead, I say "top."

It doesn't rain as much in New York as it did in London, but when it does, I still wear wellies and take a brolly with me.

My house — not pictured — has a ground floor and a first floor, not a first floor and second floor.

In the UK, a terraced house is attached to other homes on both sides, and a semi-detached house is only attached on one side. I'm still not sure what the American equivalents are.

Words like "higgledy-piggledy" and "wonky" just don't have suitable equivalents in the US — plus, they're fun to say.

The word "jobby" — which I borrowed from my time living in Scotland — is a favorite of mine, and now my American relatives say it, too.

Phrases like "I'm gutted" or "I'm chuffed" don't have American equivalents, either.

As a new mother, I find some deeply ingrained words like "nappy" and "dummy" come to mind before the American words.

Travel also highlights some differences. It took me a while to realize "a return" does not have the same meaning in the US.

I also opt for some British words when it comes to car travel, like "boot," but I've found it's much easier to say "gas" instead of "petrol."

Similarly, using American words for food items makes things a lot easier, so I've converted to calling aubergine "eggplant," courgette "zucchini," and spring onions "scallions."

But "lasagna" should always be spelled "lasagne" — sorry America.

Finally, although I've been here more than a decade, I still don't know whether 60 degrees Fahrenheit means it's hot or cold.

I moved from the UK to the US 12 years ago — here are 21 British words I refuse to give up