list of differing terms in dialect:

[hope]

edited 5th august
new or edited entries in italics

american first, australian second:

jelly = jam
candy = lollies (brit: sweets)
pop = soft drink
soda = soft drink
pepper = capsicum
hot pepper = chilli
jumper = pinafore
sweater = jumper
subway = train (brit: generally 'underground'? tube)
sneakers, tennis shoes = runners, trainers
cell phone = mobile phone
diapers = nappies
binder = folder
purse = hand bag
cookies = biscuits
convenience store = milk bar
store = shop
mall = shopping centre
CENTER = CENTRE
mom = mum
pop = grandpa, sometimes 'poppa'
college = university
grades = marks
math = maths
sharpie = permanent marker
american = yankee, yank
pumps = high heels
aluminum = aluminium
drug store = chemist (or pharmacy)
diner = cafe
stockings = socks
cool! = grouse
grousing = whinging
antsy = pissed off
drunk = pissed
vulva = fanny
fanny = arse
ass = arse
ass = bum
fanny pack = bum bag
(um, that was us brainstorming around the room and degenerating into giggles)
prom = formal
sofa = couch
bathroom = toilet
going steady = going out
trailer = caravan
gas = petrol
trunks, swimsuit = bathers, swimmers, togs
parking lot = car park
thong = g-string
flip-flops = thongs
wife-beater = singlet
tank = singlet top
undershirt = vest
thermals = long johns, thermal underwear
cops = police
cop = policeman
panties = knickers, undies
kleenex = tissue
jeans jacket = denim jacket
nightstand = bedside table
pinafore = apron
tunic = pinafore
trunk = boot [car]
fall = autumn
trousers = pants
faucet = tap
wrench = spanner
duvet = doona
comforter = doona
jello = jelly
bangs = fringe [FRODO DOES NOT HAVE 'BANGS'!!1]
lemonade = home-made lemonade
sprite = lemonade (the generic name - "sprite" is a brand of lemonade) note: in Australia, sprite isn't lemon-lime flavoured, it's clear and is essentially heavily sugared carbonated water. Do you have an alternative in the US?
report card = report
coke = soft drink
popsicle = icy pole
pacifier/binkie = dummy
retainer = plate
gas station = service station
biscuit = scone
eraser = rubber


i must go to bed now, but add more in the comments if i've left them out and i'll edit them into the entry when i can :)

Comments

[mirabile-dictu.livejournal.com]

This is terrific, and I will save to memories. I do hope you'll continue to add to the list.

A couple of things I find amusing: There are actual maps of where in the US people say "soft drink," "pop," or "coke" to mean a carbonated beverage. And oddly, just yesterday I had a conversation with a co-worker about the difference among flip-flops, thongs, and zorries -- they all mean the same thing, a type of rubber sandal, but I grew up in the southwestern part of the US where we said thongs (and never meant that dental flossy underwear) and he grew up in Los Angeles where he said zorries. Neither one of us ever heard of flip-flops until a few years ago.

Fascinating stuff. My favorite? "Jumper" for a pullover sweater. A friend from Australia tells me the term comes from "woolly jumpers," i.e., the sheep who produce the wool for the sweater. I use it in my own writing when I'm trying to write from Dom's or Billy's POV, but in my head? They're frilly little aprons worn over dresses.

Love that image!

Thank you again. Great post, and a great service.

[mirabile-dictu.livejournal.com]

Because I suffer from OCD, I had to find that map. Here you go:

http://www.popvssoda.com/