List of British words not widely used in the United States
A
abseil *
to descend on a rope (US: rappel). From German abseilen.
accountancy
calculating and tracking financial matters (US: accounting).
In the UK accounting is the school subject, but accountancy is the professional qualification.
Action Man
the UK's counterpart to G.I. Joe.
advert
advertisement (US and UK also: ad, commercial (on TV)).
agony aunt
the author of an agony column – a magazine or newspaper column advising on readers' personal problems. The image presented was originally that of an older woman providing comforting advice and maternal wisdom, hence the name "aunt". Better known to most Americans as a "Dear Abby" column or advice column. Similarly, agony uncle.
answerphone
(originally from trademark Ansafone) automated telephone answering device (US and UK also: answering machine).
anti-clockwise
direction opposite to clockwise (US: counterclockwise).
approved school
(old-fashioned) school for juvenile delinquents; reform school. Such institutions have not been referred to officially as "approved schools" since 1969. Juvenile delinquents, depending on their age and level of malfeasance, may now be sent to Secure Units or YOIs (Young Offender Institutions – a correctional facility for juvenile delinquents). (US: juvenile detention center, juvenile hall, (slang) juvie.)
Argie
an Argentine.
argy-bargy
(informal) pushing-and-shoving or outright fighting.
arse *
buttocks (US equivalent: ass), backside or anus, depending on context; to be arsed: to be bothered to do something, most commonly as a negative or conditional (e.g. I can't be arsed, if/when I can be arsed). Sometimes used in the US but only as a noun, and often as a euphemism for ass.
[to fall] arse over tit
(vulgar, alternatively arse over tip) [to fall] head over heels. (US: ass over tea kettle).
artic (lorry)
abbreviation of 'articulated lorry' (US: semi, semi-trailer truck, tractor-trailer)
aubergine
a solanaceous plant bearing a fruit of the same name, commonly used as a vegetable in cooking (US: eggplant).
autocue
a prompting system for television announcers (genericised trademark, after a leading manufacturer) (US: teleprompter
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