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

[msallegro.livejournal.com]

Adding to the posts that say a lot of these things are regional within the US as well, especially what we call soft drinks (I've always said soda) and how we refer to our parents and grandparents (Mom and Dad, Gramma and Grampa here.) I also say couch, thongs (for flip-flops) and marker, usually. I grew up saying tennis shoes, these days it's athletic shoes or sneakers, depending on what kind of shoe it is (sneakers are usually thought of as the Keds-style flat soled shoe, rather than something specifically used for sports.) Some of it is also a class issue, too. A lot of classier people won't use the brand-name shortcuts for certain things (band-aids, xerox, kleenex, etc) and some people use brand names for almost everything. Cough syrup is always Robitussin, convenience stores are always 7-11, etc. And the number of regional and class-different words for drunk, sex, dating and various body parts is in triple digits.

We use both diner and cafe, but they refer to different kinds of places. A cafe is usually a small place, primarily focusing on coffee, and small breakfast and lunch meals. More elaborate full meals aren't usually served. Diners are larger, with larger, usually traditionally American meals.

As someone mentioned, pumps are a specific type of shoe (one of a variety of high heels, or simply heels) Stockings are the thigh-high variety, secured with garters. Pantyhose/nylons are a different thing, and socks are the short cotton things, rather than the sheer things women (and drag queens) wear.

Oh, and antsy isn't usually used to mean angry. It means twitchy, nervous, unstill.