We just moved the UK clocks forward on the last Sunday in March, at 2 am. The Americans and people all over the world, those who have a summer time clock, and that's not everybody, change clocks on different days.
The popular memory aid is Spring forward, Fall back.
The Americans use the word Fall where the Brits would say autumn. But fall back is a phrase we would use.
Every day when I read the mail online I see Americanisms. When I don't notice Americanisms, I read comments in which British readrs ask for an explanation - or express outrage. Here are a few which have puzzled or confused me and others in the past.
Americanism - British English
after (as in a quarter after) - past (as in a quarter past)
elementary school - primary school
cookies - biscuits
dish soap - washing up liquid
Fall - autumn
Ground beef - minced meat
hack - tip/trick
make a left - turn left
my bad - my mistake
over easy (eggs) - cooked both sides
parking lot - car park
semester - term
Shopping cart - shopping trolley
spring break - Easter holiday/school holidays
take out - take away
vacation - holiday
British English - Americanisms
autumn - Fall
biscuits - cookies
break - half term
brolly - umbrella
car park - parking lot
Easter holiday - spring break
elevenses - mid morning break
fresher - freshman
holiday - vacation
minced meat - ground beef
my mistake - my bad
past (as in a quarter past - after (as in a quarter after
primary school - elementary school
shopping trolley - Shopping cart
take away - take out
tip/trick - hack
turn left - make a left
washing up liquid - dish soap
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