Exploring:

Speak English

By Shannon W. Ostler

Although people in both the United States and Great Britain speak English, sometimes they seem to be speaking two different languages! The following is a list of just some of the differences. Study the lists, then “have a go” at finding the British expressions in the puzzle. (Remember that words can be read forward, backward, up, down, or diagonally.)

N

A

C

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I

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P

I

H

C

A

T

S

E

F

V

J

S

J

O

B

O

B

B

Y

R

N

O

U

L

N

O

E

P

U

T

E

B

U

Y

E

Z

N

O

F

O

O

S

O

S

D

N

M

I

L

I

L

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Z

J

R

O

B

O

A

I

T

B

I

O

P

C

L

S

B

I

H

O

R

A

H

B

N

N

G

E

R

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E

K

Y

C

F

D

K

T

D

C

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C

A

K

N

A

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F

R

I

B

U

C

L

N

N

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E

I

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E

W

A

N

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M

I

U

T

K

A

L

A

A

E

L

O

B

B

S

G

L

T

G

O

N

F

T

G

N

C

K

F

L

C

Y

E

N

P

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H

R

A

E

I

L

A

U

D

F

B

E

A

A

A

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Y

L

L

O

L

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M

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P

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M

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P

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B

K

E

H

O

H

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Y

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E

O

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P

O

Q

S

Y

E

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E

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M

W

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U

A

A

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R

F

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G

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K

O

N

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J

N

O

C

S

C

U

S

C

A

L

L

B

O

X

Y

P

E

T

R

O

L

T

L

O

M

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U

L

T

A

N

A

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G

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X

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G

Great Britain	United States
Anarak	Parka
Biscuit	Cracker, cookie
Bobby	Policeman
Body popping	Break dancing
Brolly	Umbrella
Call box	Telephone booth
Chemist’s	Drugstore
Chips	French fries (thick)
Conjurer	Magician
Crisps	Potato chips
Fizzy	Soda pop
Fortnight	Two weeks
Hooter	Car horn
Hoover	Vacuum
Iced lolly	Popsicle
Infant school	Elementary school (at least up to fourth grade)
Jelly	Gelatin
Jumper	Pullover sweater
Lift	Elevator
Lollipop man	Crossing guard
Lorry	Truck
Motorway	Freeway, expressway
Nappy	Diaper
Nought	Zero
Noughts and crosses	Ticktacktoe
Petrol	Gasoline
Roundabout	Merry-go-round
Scent	Perfume
Sticking plaster	Adhesive bandage
Sultanas	Raisins
Sweets	Candy, dessert
Torch	Flashlight
Trainers	Sneakers
Vest	Undershirt
Wellingtons	Rain boots