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American or British?
It is said that England and America are divided by a common language. Well, it's not limited to the differences in spelling (center, color) or common words (subway, store). Check out these examples and the great links below.
A Rubber or An Eraser?
A lady who is now deputy headmistress of a London school spent some time teaching in California, and once told a class going in for a geometry exam to be sure to have rubbers with them since anyone can make a mistake. She couldn't understand why this broke them up. In the States a rubber means a condom.
A Rise or A Raise?
To an American, getting a rise usually means an erection so be careful how you refer to the increase in salary that your boss has just given you.
To Rent or To Hire?
Americans normally rent things and places but they hire people and services. In England it's more complicated. In British English you hire things for a short time and rent them for a long time. And you only hire people for a particular purpose, not for a long period. Confusing???? Check out the links below!
The English-to-American Dictionary
United Kingdom English for the American Novice
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