British vs American vs Canadian ENGLISH Differences! (very different!) (+ Free PDF & Quiz)

Summary

In this engaging video, Lucy from 'English with Lucy' is joined by Rachel from the US and Bob from Canada to explore the differences between British, American, and Canadian English. They cover a wide array of vocabulary variations, from how letters are pronounced (Z vs Zed) to slang terms like 'looney' and 'buck.' They also dive into regional phrases, such as 'washroom' in Canada and 'loo' in the UK, providing personal anecdotes and insights. The discussion highlights the diverse and fascinating nature of English language variations, offering valuable learning for language enthusiasts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Different English varieties: British, American, and Canadian English differ in terms of vocabulary, pronunciation, and usage.
• 😀 The letter 'Z': In Canada and the US, it’s pronounced 'Z,' while in the UK, it’s pronounced 'Zed.'
• 😀 Restaurant bill terminology: In Canada, it's called 'the bill,' while in the US, it's commonly referred to as 'the check.' In the UK, it's also 'the bill.'
• 😀 Running shoes terminology: In Canada, they’re called 'runners' or 'running shoes,' in the US, 'sneakers' or 'tennis shoes,' and in the UK, 'trainers.'
• 😀 Sofa vs. Couch: In Canada, it's mainly 'couch' or 'sofa,' while in the UK, it’s typically 'sofa,' and 'couch' sounds more American or Canadian.
• 😀 Money slang: Canadians use 'looney' for a $1 coin, 'tooney' for a $2 coin. In the UK, 'quid' is used for pounds, with 'fiver' for five and 'tenner' for ten.
• 😀 Soft drink terminology: Canadians say 'pop,' Americans say 'soda' or 'pop,' and in the UK, it's 'fizzy drinks.'
• 😀 Measurement differences: Canadians use 'kilometers' but sometimes use the slang 'clicks.' The UK uses 'kilometers' but often abbreviates it to 'K,' while the US uses miles.
• 😀 Pre-wedding parties: In Canada, it's called 'stag and doe' or 'jack and jill,' while in the US, it's a 'bachelor' or 'bachelorette' party, and in the UK, it's a 'hen do' or 'stag do.'
• 😀 Slang for cigarettes: In Canada, they are called 'smokes' or 'darts,' in the US, they’re 'cigarettes' or 'ciggies,' and in the UK, they are commonly 'fags' (though this term can be offensive in different contexts).

Q & A

What is the main focus of this video?

The video compares British English, American English, and Canadian English, focusing on vocabulary differences and similarities between these dialects.

How do Canadians pronounce the letter 'Z' compared to Americans and Britons?

In Canada, 'Z' is pronounced as 'Zed' (Z), just like in British English. In American English, it is pronounced as 'Zee'.

What do Canadians typically call the bill in a restaurant?

Canadians typically call the bill in a restaurant the 'bill', though 'check' is also common in the United States.

What are some common terms used for running shoes in Canada, the US, and the UK?

In Canada, they are called 'running shoes' or 'runners'. In the US, they may be called 'tennis shoes', 'running shoes', or 'sneakers'. In the UK, they are called 'trainers'.

How do Canadians refer to a couch, and how does this differ from the UK?

In Canada, a couch is commonly called a 'couch' or 'sofa'. In the UK, 'sofa' is more common, and the term 'couch' is associated more with American or Canadian usage.

What is a 'looney' in Canada?

A 'looney' is a Canadian $1 coin, named after the loon bird featured on it. A $2 coin is called a 'tooney'.

What word do Canadians use for fizzy drinks, and how does this differ from American and British English?

Canadians call fizzy drinks 'pop'. In the US, both 'soda' and 'pop' are used depending on the region, while in the UK, they are generally called 'fizzy drinks'.

How do Canadians measure distance, and what term do they use for kilometres?

Canadians use the metric system and measure distance in kilometres, often shortened to 'clicks'. In the US, distance is measured in miles.

What is a 'stag do' or 'hen do' in British English, and how does this differ from Canadian terms?

In British English, a 'stag do' refers to a pre-wedding party for men, and a 'hen do' for women. In Canada, the equivalent is a 'stag and doe' or 'jack and jill', referring to joint pre-wedding parties.

What do the words 'smokes' and 'ciggies' refer to in Canadian English, and how does this differ from British English?

In Canadian English, 'smokes' and 'ciggies' are slang for cigarettes. In British English, 'fag' is a common slang term for a cigarette, though it can be offensive when used to refer to a person.