Updated: How do you say this in America?

 English is an international language but there are some words that have different meanings in America. For example, if you go to a restaurant in India then you ask for a bill at the end but here in the US use the word check.

Unity in Diversity

I collected a list of terms that are used differently. If there are any words that you found different, please add them to the list.
THE LIST IS UPDATED FROM READER'S COMMENTS:

• INDIA                        |    *USA                                   |
•  Advertisement          Commercial
• Space                         Room
• Maroon                       Burgundy
• Flat                             Apartment
• Apartments              Complex 
• Bill    (In restaurant)         Check 
• Head bath                  Hair wash
• Coke \pepsi             Soda
• Football                    Soccer
• Holiday                    Vacation\ day off
• Festival                    Holiday
• Mela                         Festival
• Colour                      Color
• Current                    Power
• Oh common            Shut up (is offensive in India)
• Cockroaches          Roaches
• Mosquito                 Moskeeto (pronunciation only)
• Curd                        Yogurt
• Sweet                      Dessert

List  Continued......................

Indian sweet: Son Papdi

• INDIA           |            USA                   |
•  Dosa                       Pancakes
• Roti\Chapathi          Tortilla
• Fair complexion      Light skin color
• Capsicum                Green Pepper
• Compulsory             Mandatory 
• Beetroot                   Beets
• Photo                        Picture
• Bathroom                 Restroom
• Class   (School)           Grade
• Shop                        Store
• Blanket                    Comforter
• Fullstop  (Punctuation)  Period
• Maths                       Math
• English (Subject in School)Reading
• Confirm   (mostly used)   Make Sure
• Letter  (Common)           Mail
• Surname                   Last name
• Given name              First name
• Curtains                    Drapes
• Hall                            Living Room
• Bath                          Shower 
• Grinder    (Common)     Blender
• Gravy                        Sauce
• Underground           Basement (In buildings)
• Ground Floor           First Floor (In buildings)  
• First-floor Second floor ((In buildings)
• Repair                      Fix
• Cesarian                 C-section
• Cycle                       Bike
• Petrol   (Fuel)         Gas
• Punished                Grounded
• Fine     (Cop gives)      Ticket
• Vomitings              Throwing up
• Strike                     Protest   
• Chain with Small Pendant    Necklace  
• Sweater (common)    Jacket, hoodie, sweatshirt, sweater
• Injection (immunization)  Shot
• Jump drive                Flash drive
• Kitchen store room: Pantry
• Tap                            Faucet
• Mineral Water          Bottle water
• Sofa                          Couch
• Forceps                   Tweezers
• Rubber                     Eraser
• Gum                         Glue
• Bubble gum             Gum or Chewing gum
• Pavement\Foot Path: Sidewalk
• Tiffin box                  Lunch box
• Teapoy                    Coffee table
• Comb (Commonly used) Hairbrush
• Slippers                  Flipflops
• Torchlight               Flashlight
• Flame (on a Wood log)  Torch
• Verandah                Front Porch
• Scale                       Ruler
• Cream                     Moisturizer
• Vaseline                  Petroleum jelly
• Blood group            Blood type
• Stationery               Office\school supplies
• Biscuits                   Cookies
• Kishmis                   Raisins
• Milkmaid                 Condensed milk
• Corn flakes(common) Cereal
• Barber Shop          Hair Salon\Hair cut
• Bachelor's Degree: Undergraduation
• Correction(on test paper)Checking\Grading
• Exam pad                 Clipboard
• TV serial                   TV show
• School fee                Tuition
• Tuition                       Kumon\After school learning center
• Lift                             Elevator
• Steps                        Stairs
• Taxi                           Cab
• Plastic cover            Plastic bag
• Plastic box               Tupperware
• Stitching                    Sowing
• we-ta-mins                Vy-ta-mins (Pronunciation for Vitamins)
• Ga-ray-ge                 Ga-raa-ge (Pronunciation for Garage)
• Pamphlet                  Flyer
• Ayurvedic medicine: Herbal medicine
• Cross Roads            Intersection
• Short sight                Nearsightedness
• Long sight                 Farsight
• Highway                    Freeway

My friend Uma added

• Coriander              Cilantro

We are all united

Published on
2/1/11 7:30 AM