Welcome to the BritSpeak Dictionary! Many of the words you will findhere are colloquialisms, the colourful language of daily
living. To keep the length manageable, only *differences* in usageare noted. Some dated terms have intentionally been included
as they may yet be encountered.
British - American Dictionary
British Word Americans Say
A
Accumulator Car battery (dated)
Afters Dessert
Aggro Deliberate troublemaking
Air screw Propeller (dated)
All-in Inclusive
Alsatian German shepherd
Aluminium Aluminum
Anorak Parka
Antenatal Prenatal
Anticlockwise Counterclockwise
Argentine, The Argentina
Argentine Argentinian
Argy-bargy Heated argument
Artic Tractor-trailer
Aubergine Eggplant
Autumn Fall
B
Back of beyond Middle of nowhere
Ball Prom
Banger Sausage, firecracker or old car
Bank holiday National holiday
Bap Hamburger bun (regional)
Barrister Trial lawyer
Berk Moron
Bill (restaurant) Check
Bin Garbage can
Bin liner Garbage bag
Biscuit Cookie
Biscuit, savoury Cracker
Black Maria Paddywagon
Blancmange A gelatin-like pudding
Blighty England (dated)
Block of flats Apartment house
Bloke Guy
Bloody Mild expletive; very
Blotto Drunk
Bobby Policeman
Bollocks Balls (testicles)
Bonnet Hood
Book Reserve
Boot Trunk
Bounder Cad
Braces Suspenders
Brock Badger (dated)
Brolly Umbrella
Brooch Pin
Bubble and squeak Cabbage & potato dish
Bugger-all Nothing
Bum Buttocks
Bun in the oven Pregnant
Bung (noun) Stopper
Bung (verb) Toss
Busker Street performer
Butty Sandwich
C
Cabinet maker Skilled carpenter
Calabrese Broccoli rabe
Caravan Motor home
Car park Parking lot
Carpet Reprimand
Carriageway Highway
Carrier bag Shopping bag
Chat show Talk show
Chat up Chat flirtatiously
Cheerio Goodbye
Cheers Thank you
Chemist Pharmacist
Cheque Check
Chips French fries
Chuffed Pleased
Cinema Movie theater
Clingfilm Plastic wrap (brand name)
Clippie Bus conductor (Scotland)
Close Dead end
Conker Horse chestnut
Cooker Oven
Coppice See copse
Copse Thicket
Cotton wool Cotton
Courgette Zucchini
Cracker Party favor
Creche Day care center
Crisps Potato chips
Crumpet Attractive woman
Cul de sac Dead end
Cuppa Cup of tea
Current account Checking account