George Bernard Shaw once said that the United States and United Kingdom are "two countries divided by a common language." With an estimated 500 million speakers worldwide, English is the second most common language on the planet (Mandarin). . Still, an incredible difference exists between the two biggest strains, British English and American English.

One of the biggest differences between the two dominant dialects of English is their vocabulary. While an American “dude” and a British “bloke” were waiting in the “line/queue” for the “restroom/loo,” they could discuss the many differences between their two idioms. Meanwhile, someone in England refers to a “lorry,” and their American cousin is utterly confused and asks them, “Do you mean a semi?” Further confusion could ensue when the English cousin asks “Would you fancy a biscuit?” The cousin from America might be expecting something other than a “cookie,” something more like what his cousin might call a “scone.”

While “mad” in the U.S. is a synonym for “angry,” in the U.K. it means “crazy.” Lots of American people would think you “crazy” if you told them you were driving on the motorway (freeway), when through your windscreen (windshield), you noticed your bonnet (hood) was smoking. You pulled over on the verge (shoulder) and luckily you had some coolant in your boot (trunk). It was a good thing you didn’t run out of petrol (gas).

Similarly, if Johnny English arrived in The States he’d be quite surprised when he went to the mall (shopping centre). The salesman at the store (shop) would probably ask if he wanted pants (trousers) or underwear (pants). The salesman might ask what kind of diapers (nappies) his daughter needed and if his wife wanted a new purse (handbag) or panties (knickers). He could then take the elevator (lift) down to the next floor where there is a bar (pub), watch some soccer (football) on TV (telly) and get drunk (pissed).

One source of confusion always comes up whenever English and American students are conversing. Students aged from about five to eleven in America would probably be said to be in elementary school, whereas in the U.K., they would be said to be in ”primary school.” From ages twelve to fifteen American students are in middle school or junior high school and in the U.K., secondary school. American students are in high school from the age of fifteen to eighteen. Meanwhile, British students are in college from sixteen to eighteen. After that some American students go on to college while their British counterparts continue on to uni(versity).

Another centre or center of controversy is the spelling of words like “materialise” and “specialize.” Either spelling is considered correct, depending on which country you are in at the time of speaking. Other such examples include anything ending in “-ise” or “-ize”, like “capitalise” or “hypothesize”. Of course the British would never spell “size” with an “s” as the second to last letter, but that is neither here nor there.

Countries that had or still have strong ties to Britain, like Australia, New Zealand and Ireland, would typically prefer the British spellings, though the vocabulary in these countries varies widely because of the predominance of American television and film.

Wherever you are, it is important to learn what people call things there, so you can be in the know. It is also helpful to start adapting to the peculiarities of the speech patterns of the particular place you happen to be in, so that you can better communicate with the locals. You will find yourself the recipient of a lot less blank stares, “pardon’s” or “huh’s,” if you start referring to an “elevator” as a “lift” an vice versa. As they say, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

Will Maguire