Differences between American English and Australian English

We have previously looked at the differences between American English and British English, but today we are going to focus on something a little different. What are the differences between American English and Australian English? Let’s take a look!

American English

Australian English

Definition

Parking lot

Car Park

This is a large area, usually in front of stores, where you can park your car.

Letter opener

Paper knife

This is a long knife-like object that is used to open mail.

Pot luck dinner

Bring a plate

This is a party where each guest brings a dish with them.

Gas Station

Service Station (Servo)

This is a place where people can put gas/petrol in their cars. In Australia, it is commonly referred to as a ‘servo.’

Sidewalk

Footpath

This is a dedicated area on the side of the road for pedestrians. It helps keep them away from traffic to avoid accidents.

Trash can

Garbage bin

As the names imply, this is a can/bin where you put all of the waste.

Although American English is more widely heard and known from films and television, it is useful to familiarize yourself with other versions of English so you can understand a variety of accents and local expressions.

So, what’s your favourite version of English?