VOA词汇掌故2023--American English vs. British English

American English vs. British English

Now the VOA Learning English program Words and Their Stories!

The fourth of July is Independence Day in the United States. On that day, we celebrate the decision by early American leaders to declare independence from Britain.

While people in both England and the U.S. speak English, the two types of English can be very different.

First, there are differences in spelling. The British like the letter "u" and have kept it in many words. Americans have dropped it. Somewhere in our language history, we decided¹ that "labor," "color" and "favorite" were just fine without the "u" next to the "o."

But our differences go beyond spelling. Sometimes, we use different words entirely².

Here, we live in apartments with elevators. Over there, they live in flats with lifts.

We put diapers on our babies and push them in strollers. The British love their babies just as much as we do, but they use nappies and prams³ instead.

We power our cars with gas. They use petrol.

And, if we need to look in our car's dark trunk for something, we use a flashlight. They would use a torch to search their dark boot.

Then there are idioms. Some British and American idioms have the same meaning, but use different words. For example, in the U.S. if you want to add your opinion to a conversation, you put in your two cents. In the U.K., they put in their tuppence (or two pence) worth. Makes sense. They have pence and we don't.

Another example is the idiom about discussing the same issue again and again, especially if it cannot be resolved.

We say, "Don't beat a dead horse!" The British, on the other hand, advise against flogging one. And, if you are keeping secrets in the United States, you have skeletons in the closet. In Great Britain, your skeletons would be hiding in a cupboard.

But the real fun begins when we start exploring idioms and expressions that are unique to each country.

Let's start with "Bob's your uncle." To an American ear, that is a weird⁴ expression. And it has nothing to do with any relative you may or may not have named Bob. It is just a way to finish a set of simple instructions.

What is the equivalent -- the different but equal saying -- in the U.S.? Americans might say, "and there you have it!" Or sometimes, more dramatic people will say, "Ta-da!"

For example, imagine you are explaining to someone how to use your new fancy, coffee maker⁵.

You explain: "First, you grind the beans. Then you put them in the side container and pour water in the main container. Push the button and ten minutes later -- ta-da! -- you have a pot of coffee!

Sometimes over a fresh pot of coffee, you may want to have a long talk with a friend. You might even throw in a little gossip. We call that a chat, or if it's a short conversation, chit-chat. The British would call it a "chin-wag."

If a British person says, "I've got the hump," we might think they are sick and need to see a doctor. But in fact, when Brits say they have a hump, it means they are mildly annoyed or upset. In the U.S., some informal ways to say we are upset are "I'm ticked off" or "I'm miffed."

Now, when Americans are really surprised by something, we can say we "are at a loss for words." Or more informally, we simply say we are "shocked" or "blown away."

Across the Atlantic in the U.K., they are "gobsmacked." In the U.S., we don't get smacked⁷ by gobs. Ever.

Finally, a familiar word used by both countries but in different ways is "cheers." We use the word over drinks when we are wishing someone good health or congratulating an accomplishment⁸. The British use "cheers" to mean "thank you." For that, we Americans say, "Thank you!"

Now, we don't expect you to pick sides. Both American and British English have their strong points. But thanks for listening to Words and Their Stories, a program that teaches American English.

Words in This Story

apartment – n. a usually rented room or set of rooms that is part of a building and is used as a place to live (British = flat)

elevator – n. a machine used for carrying people and things to different levels in a building (British = lift)

diaper – n. a piece of cloth or other material that is placed between a baby's legs and fastened around the waist to hold body waste (British = nappies)

stroller – n. a small carriage with four wheels that a baby or small child can ride in while someone pushes it (British = prams)

trunk – n. the enclosed space in the rear of an automobile⁹ for carrying articles (British = boot)

flashlight – n. a small electric light that can be carried in your hand and that runs on batteries (British = torch)

flog – v. to beat or whip (someone) severely¹⁰

smack⁶ – v. to strike so as to produce a smack

gob – n. lump : a large amount

skeleton – n. the structure of bones that supports the body of a person or animal

closet – n. a usually small room that is used for storing things (such as clothing, towels, or dishes) (British = cupboard)

fancy – adj. pricey and fashionable

grind – v. to crush or break (something) into very small pieces by rubbing it against a rough surface or using a special machine

gossip – n. information about the behavior and personal lives of other people

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

3 prams   

n.（手推的）婴儿车( pram的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• In order to offer guests convenience, our company hires out prams. 本公司出租小孩推车，为旅客提供便利。 来自互联网
• Oh, no; girls, you know, are much too clever to fall out of their prams. 没有啊，你知道，女孩子太机灵，不会从儿童车里掉出来的。 来自互联网

4 weird   

adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的

参考例句：

• From his weird behaviour,he seems a bit of an oddity.从他不寻常的行为看来，他好像有点怪。
• His weird clothes really gas me.他的怪衣裳简直笑死人。

5 maker   

n.制造者，制造商

参考例句：

• He is a trouble maker，You must be distant with him.他是个捣蛋鬼，你不要跟他在一起。
• A cabinet maker must be a master craftsman.家具木工必须是技艺高超的手艺人。

6 smack   

vt.拍，打，掴；咂嘴；vi.含有…意味；n.拍

参考例句：

• She gave him a smack on the face.她打了他一个嘴巴。
• I gave the fly a smack with the magazine.我用杂志拍了一下苍蝇。

7 smacked   

拍，打，掴( smack的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He smacked his lips but did not utter a word. 他吧嗒两下嘴，一声也不言语。
• She smacked a child's bottom. 她打孩子的屁股。

8 accomplishment   

n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能

参考例句：

• The series of paintings is quite an accomplishment.这一系列的绘画真是了不起的成就。
• Money will be crucial to the accomplishment of our objectives.要实现我们的目标，钱是至关重要的。

9 automobile   

n.汽车，机动车

参考例句：

• He is repairing the brake lever of an automobile.他正在修理汽车的刹车杆。
• The automobile slowed down to go around the curves in the road.汽车在路上转弯时放慢了速度。

10 severely   

adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地

参考例句：

• He was severely criticized and removed from his post.他受到了严厉的批评并且被撤了职。
• He is severely put down for his careless work.他因工作上的粗心大意而受到了严厉的批评。