For two nations that supposedly speak the same language, the US and the UK's take on the English language can at times seem worlds apart. Don't get lost in translation; use our QS topuniversities.com jargon buster for studying abroad.Words in red are US terminologies. Words in blue are used in the UK.
Where only one colour is shown the word is country specific.

Buildings/Places:

Finding your way around a new country can be confusing enough without differences in language. Whether it's going to the mall to buy clothes, or the supermarket for food, even knowing what way to look for traffic when you step off the sidewalk / pavement has caught more than a few people out! Find what you really want with the following:

• Mall - Shopping centre
• Store - Shop
• Grocery store - Supermarket
• Liquor store - Off-Licence
• Convenience store - Corner shop
• Sidewalk  - Pavement
• Freeway - Motorway
• Apartment/Condominium (Condo) - Flat
• Yard - Garden
• Bungalow- A one - storey house.
• Maisonette - A two storey flat located within a block of flats
• Bathroom - Toilet
• Loo -  A British colloqualism for the bathroom/toilet.
• Roomie - Term used in the US meaning a friend with whom you share a bedroom, or someone you live with who rents a bedroom in your accommodation.
• Flatmate/ Housemate - Used only in the UK and is the same as the term 'roomie'.

Education:

Was your grade school private, comprehensive or state? Did you buy the right scantron for your mid-term? Do you have your essay dates marked in your diary? Get some schooling with the TU guide to education.

• Mid-term - An exam taken half way through the term.
• Scantron - The specially designated sheet of paper used to take multiple choice tests and exams.
• Reader - A collection of all the article chapters you need for a course photocopied and bound together.
• Black-lightening - A copy of lecture notes that can be purchased.
• Paper - Essay
• Fraternity - A usually all-male social organization formed of students and found on campus at higher education facilities. Although these do exist outside of the US they are largely regarded as part of the US higher education system.
• Sorority - Female equivalent of a fraternity.

Food and drink:

Whether you are trying to find your ultimate comfort food from home, or experience an exotic treat abroad, it helps to know that you have a burger and fries in the US, but in the UK it's fish and chips!

• Cookie - Biscuit
• Jelly - Jam In the US it is eaten with peanut butter in a sandwich.
• Jello - Jelly In the UK it is eaten with ice cream as a dessert.
• Egg plant - Aubergine
• Shrimp - Prawns
• Fries - Chips
• Chips - Crisps
• Big gulp - A 32oz (1 litre) cup of fizzy drink you can purchase in convenience stores.
• Chilli dog - A hotdog with chilli con carne as a topping.
• Graham crackers - A type of cookie/biscuit.
• Smores - A US snack made by toasting a marshmallow on a bonfire and pressing it between two pieces of Graham cracker with a square of Hershey's chocolate.
• Branston Pickle - A type of pickled sandwich relish, usually served with cheese.
• Pimms - The quintessential British summertime alcoholic drink. Usually Pimms is mixed with lemonade and served as a type of punch with cucumber, mint, apple, strawberries and pear.
• Sunday lunch/Sunday dinner - A traditional British meal of roast meat, roast potatoes, vegetables and gravy.

Clothes:

While in the US you can throw on your pants and go out, in the UK be sure to put some trousers on over the top of them! Don-t get caught short, read on.
 

• Sneakers/Tennis shoes - Trainers/Running shoes
• Pants - Trousers
• Pants - Male underwear in the UK
• Vest - Waistcoat
• Suspenders - Braces
• Garters/garter belt - Suspenders
• Panty hose - Tights

Weights/measurements:

Do you pop to the corner shop for a pint of milk, or run to the grocery store for a gallon of the white stuff?

• Pint - A British measurement of liquid, usually used in reference to beer or milk. Eight pints are equal to one gallon.
• 10/12/14/20 ounce (liquid) - A US measurement of liquid.
• Stone - A British measurement of weight equal to 14 pounds or 6.35kgs

Miscellaneous:

Block you garbage disposal in the US and you'll be calling out a maintenance man, in the UK if you try cramming your rubbish down the sink you'll be in trouble and most likely be calling on a handyman, if not a plumber!

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• Fall - Autumn
• Band aid - Plaster
• Mimosa - Bucks Fizz
• Cell phone A Mobile
• Vacation - Holiday
• Period - Full stop
• Trash/garbage  - Rubbish
• Trunk - Boot In reference to a car.
• Hood - Bonnet In reference to a car.
• Maintenance man - Handyman
• Soccer - Football
• Football - Refers to American football
• Buck - US colloquialism for a one dollar note
• Quid - British colloquialism for a one pound coin.
• Co-Ed - Short for co-educational, meaning both males and females are permitted.
• Cheers - A word said when toasting glasses in the UK.
• Jaywalking - Cutting between traffic to cross the road. This is illegal in the US.
• Garbage disposal - A machine installed in the sink that shreds and compacts household garbage.