How to Understand American Terms

1. How to Understand American Terms

2. 1.Be aware that certain food items are called by American names

3. - "French fries" (or simply "fries") are sliced and fried potatoes. (Called "chips" in the UK) - "Bag of chips" is a packet of

- "French fries" (or simply "fries") are sliced and fried
potatoes. (Called "chips" in the UK)
- "Bag of chips" is a packet of crisps.
- A "cookie" is a term used for any biscuit. Not just
chocolate chip ones.
- A "biscuit" is a small piece of soft bread.

4. 2. Learn the different terms for parts of a building

5. - The "first floor" is the ground floor. - The "second floor" is the first floor. - An "elevator" is a lift. - "Apartment" is

- The "first floor" is the ground floor.
- The "second floor" is the first floor.
- An "elevator" is a lift.
- "Apartment" is the general word for a flat. Note, in the
UK: if you saw an apartment advertised in an estate
agents, it would be referring to a luxury flat.

6. 3.Study these terms for when you are on the move.

7. - The "trunk" is the boot of the car. - The "hood" is the bonnet. - A "traffic circle" is a roundabout. Some Americans may use

- The "trunk" is the boot of the car.
- The "hood" is the bonnet.
- A "traffic circle" is a roundabout. Some Americans may use
"roundabout" as well. In the Northeast it's sometimes called a
"rotary".
- The colours of traffic lights are red, green and yellow (not
amber).
- An "AMBER alert" is an announcement over radio, television,
and electronic highway signs that inform the public that a child
has just been reported missing (along with any relevant details,
such as a physical description of the child and the make, model
and color of the car they were last seen in).
- A "truck" is a lorry.
- A "sidewalk" is the pavement. "Pavement" commonly refers to
the street.
- "Gasoline" or simply "gas" is petrol.
- "Airplane" is used instead of aeroplane.

8. 4. Avoid embarrassment by understanding these differences.

9. - "Bathroom," "restroom" or "washroom" are used for the toilet, although the term "washroom" is not often used in the US; but

- "Bathroom," "restroom" or "washroom" are used for
the toilet, although the term "washroom" is not often
used in the US; but is often used in Canada. One doesn't
talk about going to the toilet or going to use the toilet.
That is considered a little strange or "TMI" (too much
information). "Bathroom" is most common; "restroom" is
reserved for polite company, people you don't know that
well, when dining out at a restaurant, etc. "Going to the
bathroom" is the most common.
- "Restroom" is always used in public places. A
"bathroom" usually means there's also a bathtub, but it
can also be referring to a public toilet. "Washroom" can
refer to either.
- An "eraser" is a rubber. Most Americans think of a
rubber as something else, so this is an important one.

10. 5. Remember when throwing something away that:

11. - "Garbage" or "trash" is rubbish. "Garbage" often means kitchen waste, while "trash" may refer to paper or other general

- "Garbage" or "trash" is rubbish. "Garbage" often means
kitchen waste, while "trash" may refer to paper or other
general waste.
- "Garbage" goes in the "trash can" or "garbage can." In
either case, it is acceptable to omit the word "can" (just
put it "in the trash").
- Occasionally the trash can is referred to as a/the
"circular file," especially in a humorous sense.
- People sometimes refer to throwing something out as
having "eighty-sixed" it. What did Jim do with the old
Smith file? He 86'ed it. What should I do with this form?
Eighty-six it.
- A "garbage bag" or "trash bag" is a bin liner.
- A "dumpster" is the colloquial term for a skip, or a large
outdoor bin.

12. 6.Use these terms when talking about clothing

13. - "Pants" are trousers. American "trousers" commonly refers to men's nice or formal pants. Women's dress pants are usually

- "Pants" are trousers. American "trousers" commonly refers to
men's nice or formal pants. Women's dress pants are usually
called "slacks", though slacks may also refer to men's dress pants.
- "Panties" are women's knickers, and "underwear" refers to either
women's or men's undergarments. Loose fitting underwear are
called "boxers". The more form-fitting, knit underwear are called
"briefs" if they do not extend below the upper thigh. They are
called "boxer briefs" if they end at mid-thigh.
- "Long underwear" can be worn by either men or women and are
worn over regular underwear for added warmth. Long underwear
provides coverage like that of a long-sleeve shirt and pants.
"Sneakers" or "tennis shoes" are trainers. "Trainers" or "personal
trainers" are generally personal fitness coaches or athletic trainers
(healthcare professionals associated with sports that focus on
injury/ illness prevention/ assessment and first-aid emergency
care).

14. 7.Study these terms, which can cause confusion

15. -A "baby stroller" or "baby buggy" is a pram ("Baby stroller" or simply "stroller" is most common). - A "vacation" is a

-A "baby stroller" or "baby buggy" is a pram ("Baby stroller" or
simply "stroller" is most common).
- A "vacation" is a holiday, taken for leisure purposes. This is quite
important, because an American "holiday" only means a special day,
such as Christmas or Thanksgiving. Americans say that they are
"going on (a) vacation" if they are actually going away somewhere.
They never say they are "going on holiday". One might say they have
a specific holiday off of work. For example, " Do you have the
holiday off? Thanksgiving? Yes, I do have it off". If you have a week
off from work but you are not going anywhere but instead are
staying home and relaxing around the house, you are nevertheless
"on vacation".
- A "flashlight" is a torch.
- "Dish detergent" is washing-up liquid or liquid for washing dishes.
- When Americans speak of "football," they refer to American
football. "Soccer" is used to describe what most people in the world
refer to as football.