American, Australian, British and Worldwide English - how to understand and be understood

American flag

Have you ever been misunderstood? I asked for a rubber in an American department store. 

The assistant told me, "We don't have any."

I found one. "What's this?" I asked. I gave her the polite smile, which says, "This dear, sweet, store assistant is doing her best, although she has the brains of a shoelace."

She looked at me with the polite smile, which says, "This customer might buy, if she can decide what she wants, although she has the brains of a sock."

She enlightened me. In America it's called an eraser. I asked what she thought I meant when I asked for a rubber

Oops. A rubber is a contraceptive. Take a look at these lists to avoid embarrassing and confusing moments. Watch out for pants.

 American - British

bangs - fringe

bellhop - (hotel) porter

broil - grill

diaper - nappy

eraser - rubber

fall - autumn

fanny pack - bum bag

frosting (on cake) - icing

gas - petrol

gas station - garage

math - maths

night stand - bedside table

outlet - power point/socket

pants - trousers

parking lot - car park

realtor - estate agent

row house - terraced house

sidewalk - footpath

truck - lorry

underpants - pants

vacation - holiday

Australian - British

barbie - barbecue/BBQ

doona - duvet

foyer (French) - lobby

g'day - good day/good morning/good afternoon/good evening

outback - back of beyond/remote area/in the wilds

Sheila - female

thongs - flipflops

Angela Lansbury wearing a Union Jack cap. Selfie photo.

British - American

duvet - comforter

garage - gas station

petrol - gas

Power point/socket - outlet

rubber - eraser

turn right - make a right

British - Australian

barbecue - barbie 

drawing pin - thumb tack

clothes - togs

duvet - doona https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_English_vocabulary

flip-flops - thongs

Mac/Mackintosh - raincoat

pavement - footpath 

pushchair/pram - stroller/pram

lobby - foyer

sandwich - sarnie

sleeping policeman - speed bump

village - station/town

Wellington boots - gumboots

British - New Zealand

sheep farm - station/sheep station

New Zealand - British

station / sheep station - farm / sheep farm

Useful Websites

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_English_vocabulary

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-10698283/American-expat-Sophia-living-Sydney-reveals-slang-terms-refuses-use.html