I notice queries about American and British English in the comments of the Daily Mail online. If you read any American newspaper or news report, you will see Americanisms. w
I was in a hotel in California, trying to check out before the deadline of mid-day. I phoned down and asked, "Could you please send up a porter."
I waited and waited. Nobody arrived.
I phoned again and said, "Please send a porter. I asked for a porter ten minutes ago. If you want me out of this room by mid-day, you must send me a porter. You must have a porter. I've seen three or four of them."
After a pause, the lady on reception replied, "Ma-am, I will gladly send you a porter, if you tell me what it is."
I replied, "It's a person help carry your suitcases, your luggage, baggage. On a trolley."
"Ah! I know what you mean. You call that a porter?"
'What do you say?"
"The bell-hop."
(Other terms you might come across in hotels are concierge and doorman.)
Now let's have a look at some other words I came across in the USA, and have read in the newspapers since then.
UK - USA
squash - cordial, drink which consists of diluted fruit juice and added sugar. (Check ingredients on bottle.)
Giving a present - gifting a gift.
American English - British English
candy (candies) - sweet(s)
cookie - biscuit
bellhop - porter
diaper - nappy
eraser - rubber
gift - give
hack - tip
hood (of car) bonnet
make a right - turn right
rubber - contraceptive (Durex)
squash - cordial
trunk (of car) - boot
British English - American English
biscuit - cookie
bonnet (of car) - hood
boot (of car) - trunk
cordial - squash
contraceptive (Durex) - rubber
give /donate (verb) - gift
nappy - diaper
porter - bellhop
rubber - eraser
sweet(s) - candy /candies
tip - hack
Useful Websites and books
see amazon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_English very technical
About the Author
Angela Lansbury, author, teacher and workshop lteader. Speciality subjects include English and business English.
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You can practise your accent by attending or listening to past speeches from clubs and contests of Toastmasters International.
My club is Braddell Heights International. It is on Facebook and the Toastmasters International website.
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