British English and American English. You'd think it is the same language..but not quite. It can be confusing to understand the exact context of the meaning of a word you thought you knew. From pronunciations to spelling and even entirely different meanings. Here are some common British words and sayings that mean something else in America.
Lift
In America, to go up in a building, you would have to take the elevator. However, in England, you would take the lift.
Flat
This is considered to be a descriptive word of a surface in American English. But in the UK, a flat means an apartment.
Boot
The type of footwear is what most Americans think of when they hear the word “boot”, but for an English person, it means the trunk of a car.
Biscuit
A biscuit in the UK is a thin-baked cookie that is usually served with tea. However, in America, a biscuit is made from dense, buttery dough.
Purse
In the UK, your purse is a wallet that you keep in your handbag. In America, your wallet is kept in your purse.
Crisps
Crisps are what the British call potato chips. They can be any “chips” from Doritos to Cheetos or even a packet of Lays. In most cases, you won’t find those large bags of “crisps” that they sell in America, in the UK. The crisps they sell in the UK are typically single-serving packages.
Chips
In America, they are called "fries". This English word often gets Americans confused when ordering. In America, you most likely get French fries, whereas in the UK they will be served as a thicker potato wedge.