In today's Daily Mail in the US section I read about a power outage. In the UK we would say power cut.
US-UK
a la mode-French for in fashion but in the USA a pie a la mode is a pie or dessert having additional cream, often whipped cream. (Check with the serving staff what they mean or look at the menu pictures.)
boardwalk-deck (or promenade, although a promenade is often concrete)
billfold - wallet
consignment store-sale or return shop for secondhand fashions
dime store-bargain basement/cheap shop
eraser-rubber
hood-bonnet (part of a car)
Hoover-vacuum cleaner
hose-stockings
Kleenex-paper tissues, paper hanky
make a right/left-turn right/left
over easy- (fried egg) cooked both sides, over meaning turned over, easy meaning whites are slightly runny
power outage-power cut
sidewalk-pavement
pacifier-dummy
purse-bag
pavement-tarmac/road
pleased to meet you-how do you do (formal)
rubber-Durex/condom
trunk-boot
UK - USA
bag - purse
deck - boardwalk
Durex - rubber
dummy - pacifier
bonnet (front of car) - hood
egg cooked both sides - over-easy
how do you do (formal) - pleased to meet you
paper hankie - Kleenex
pavement - sidewalk
power cut - power outage
purse - coin purse
rubber - eraser
stockings - hose
turn right - make a right
(dessert) with cream - a la mode
vacuum cleaner - Hoover
wallet - billfold
I compiled this list from what I found different living in Rockville Maryland and on visits to the USA from England and also on websites and in newspapers. Somewhere in storage I have at last two books of dictionary style translations. One is a small and inexpensive paperback.
For a more comprehensive list go to Wiki comparison of American and English.
Angela Lansbury, author, travel writer, translator and tutor of French and English, A level, conversation, packaging, written work, websites.
