English or American Words??

Most of us have become used to a good many of the differences between American English and good old Britspeak. We all know what a ‘roundabout’ is (and don’t we wish we had some?) Actually we do have at least two near where I live. There is (or was) one in Long Beach. I’m not sure if it’s still there. And there is one on Shelter Island, San Diego, which for some quixotic reason has driving rules that are backwards and darn right dangerous. Contrary to the worldwide custom, which dictates that the vehicle in the roundabout has the right of way, the one on Shelter Island says that cars in the circle must give way to entering traffic. I received a warning ticket on that one a few years ago. In England approaches to roundabouts are clearly signposted with a bold diagram showing all the entrances and exits with highway numbers and destination names. Some may have as many as five roads converging, but not to worry. If you get confused just stay in the roundabout and go around a time or two more until you’ve worked out your correct exit. You’re perfectly safe.

One the sneakiest and most confusing differences is with word ‘pavement.’ It pops up everywhere in British writing and almost invariably produces real confusion in the readers mind. It does not refer to the surface of the roadway – never. It simply means the ‘sidewalk.’ Unless you want a summons from the local constabulary you never park on the pavement.

Here’s another sneaky one – ‘engineer.’ A train engineer may design and build a locomotive but he never drives one. That person is a train driver or driver.

We’ve all got used to aluminium, aeroplane, tyre, colour, humour, etc. and have come to accept that our cousins just don’t know how to spell – no problem. But we become quite uncomfortable with ‘the government are…’ and ‘the public are …’ Why this unease? Clearly they are plural entities. Surely there are many individuals comprising both the government and the public. Could we be wrong about this?

We tend to snicker a bit when we hear that that someone is to be ‘knocked up’ but I think we all know what that means. When referring to cars I truly believe that most Americans now know which ends of the vehicle sport  the ‘bonnet’ and the ‘boot.’ Having a ‘boot’ sale, by the way, does not mean clearing out your closet of unwanted footwear.

Curious, but little encountered by Americans, are words that have to do with road transport – articulated lorries, and flyovers, the most famous of which is the Hammersmith Flyover in West London. This is a lovely piece of elevated roadway that speeds the heavy semis on their way to the west country on the A4. I know its been there since before 1966 when we took up residence nearby.

For more fun with hundreds of these differences check out the Wikipedia entry.