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

[stimpson.livejournal.com]

One that's always befuddled me: biscuit = scone (i think?)

Also, is 'wag', as in 'wagging school', an Aus-centric term?

I've also heard people refer to permanent markers as 'Nikkos' here in Australia, i'm not sure what's up with that phenomenon.

It's a great list, dude. (I had to resist the will to add t.v. = telly!). The only one i'm not too sure about is the American = Yankee one; although there's the great 'septic tank' rhyming slang, i'm not sure if 'yank' is used too much nowadays to refer to Americans.

[danamaree.livejournal.com]

'Nikkos'

I always called them that up until recently when I moved to the city, Niko or Nikkos is a brand name. Now I call them markers. (I come from Northern Australia, Qld)

It took me a long time to get used to the word sharpie, I don't think I'll ever use it in casual conversation.

[stimpson.livejournal.com]

I think it must be a regional thing - I heard 'Nikko' used much more when I moved to Brisbane. (I'm from northern NSW).

I only ever use 'Sharpie' when I mean an actual Sharpie, because they are certainly different to a lot of markers out there.

[andraste-oz.livejournal.com]

I hear 'yank' quite a lot, although only among family and certain friends. I never hear it used at work, for instance. I think it might have passed into the "slightly insulting" range :)