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

[inbetweens.livejournal.com]

I realize that not even Americans consider Southern American a form of English, but just for the record: "Yankee" is used in the American south to refer to American northerners (or, if you really live in the middle of nowhere, anyone from a city). I wouldn't be insulted if someone called me a Yankee, but I would certainly laugh for quite a while. Call an older/more traditional southerner a Yankee and you just might get slapped, though. I shudder to think what my grandpa would do to y'all.

Also, I've grown up understanding "pop" as a synonym for "father," not "grandfather." I've never actually heard anyone say "convenience store," it's just "gas station" if there are gas pumps in front of it or "drugstore" if there aren't. I've heard "drugstore" for stores without pharmacies quite often. I've never heard "tank," only the longer "tank top." And by "stockings = socks," what kind of stockings do you mean? In The South, these (http://www.frilzandlace.com/jpegs3/9750-lace-top-stockings.jpg) are stockings, these (http://www.jenniferm.com/shop/media/5029l.jpg) are hose/pantyhose (dear god, looking for an image of those was a little scary), and these (http://www.minus33.com/socks.jpg) are socks. Which of these are socks down there?

In Louisiana, pepper/capsicum must be specified as "black pepper" and you get a lot more bastardized French, but I know for a fact that no one will stand by my claim that it resembles English. Sigh.