British or American?

When I applied to be an English Teaching Assistant in France, my main goal was to learn more of and improve my knowledge of the French language; a goal in which I feel like I have attained. However, I never expected to learn so much about my native language of English! As I have lived the past seven months with Amy, a British university student, I have learned that how the British speak is miles different from how Americans speak. I find it only fitting to finally post my list of differences between British and American English today, as I just said a final (and tear-filled) goodbye to my British flatmate this morning. So, here goes!

**Note: this was a list compiled over the course of our living together. It is from our personal realizations of differences between our nation's vernaculars and is not at all complete.**

American	British
Fries	Chips
Chips	Crisps
Flashlight	Torch
Sweater	Jumper
Garbage/Trash	Rubbish
Vacation	Holiday/s
Hot plate	Hob
Sneakers	Trainers
Sweatpants	Track suit bottoms
Panties	Knickers
Movie	Film
Candy	Sweets
Math	Maths
Pimples	Spots
Dinner/Supper	Tea
Fall	Autumn
Saran wrap	Cling Film
Wallet	Purse
Garbage can	Bin
Coupons/Gift cards	Vouchers
Check-out	Till
Mocking you/Making fun of you	Taking the piss out of you
Hard cookies	Biscuits
Movie theatre	Cinema
Lucky	Jammy
Sledding	Sledging
Pajamas	Jimmies
Wrinkles	Creases
Santa Clause	Father Christmas
Crock Pot	Slow cooker
Pants	Trousers
Eraser	Rubber
I don’t care	I’m not bothered
Round Trip	Return
Little things	Bits and bobs
Apartment	Flat
Roommate	Flat mate
Thumb tacks	Pins
Mardi Gras	Pancake Day
Closed	Shut
My house/your house/her house	Mine/your’s/her’s
Go to bed	Tuck in
Lay out	Sunbathe
Dessert	Pudding
Braid	Plait
Hair tie	Hair bauble
Take	Pick
It does what it says on the label	It does what it says on the tin
Line	Queue
Bill	Note
Grades	Marks
Canker sores	Ulcers
2:30	Half two
What do you want to do?	What do you fancy?
Drive stick	Drive with gears
Bachelorette Party	Hen night
Expenses	Outgoings
In a wedding	Going to be a bridesmaid/groomsmen
Cup of tea	Cuppa

All the vocabulary differences aside, I could not have imagined spending seven months with a greater person. Living in Apt is hard - it is one of those things that is difficult to explain to people that have not experienced the assistantship like we have. Through good times and bad, we got each other through this experience and I can not be more grateful to have gained another great friend, British or not. Although she will be across the pond, I hope we will stay in contact for years to come, with reunions in England, America or elsewhere. To Amy, wishing you a last two great weeks in Provence, and best of luck in your adventures this summer and beyond! Tu vas me manquer!* xxx**

*Look, I finally figured out how to order it!
**Your British ways are rubbing off on me... :)