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Smoothing transatlantic communication
Index of Americanisms |
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daddy longlegs [colloq.] | harvestman (arachnid a.k.a. 'harvest spider') |
dame [slang] (woman) | bird [slang] |
davenport | a large well-upholstered sofa, especially one that can also serve as a bed |
daylight saving time | summer time |
deck of cards | pack of cards |
deductible (insurance term) | excess |
deductions (from paycheck) | stoppages |
defogger, defroster (on car windshield/rear window) | demister |
depot | railway station |
delivery truck | van |
demon alcohol, the [humorous] | demon drink, the |
dentist's office | dental surgery |
Department of the Navy, the (U.S. Navy) | Admiralty, the (Royal Navy) |
dependency (annex) | annexe |
dependent clause [grammar] | subordinate clause |
derby | bowler, bowler hat |
dessert | pudding, sweet, afters [colloq.], dessert |
detour (rerouting traffic to avoid some obstacle) | diversion |
dial tone (telephone) | dialling tone |
diaper | nappy |
dick [colloq.] | detective |
different than (informal variant of 'different from') | different to, different from |
diner | small roadside eatery, usually with similar layout to a railroad dining car |
dingbat [colloq.] | nutter [colloq.] (crazy or eccentric person) |
dinky [colloq.] | small and without charm |
directory assistance (telephone) | directory enquiries |
dirt (on the ground) | loose soil; solid waste such as dog's droppings |
dish liquid, dishwashing liquid | washing-up liquid |
dish towel, dish cloth, dishrag | tea towel |
dishwasher (the human variety!) | washer-up |
divided highway | dual carriageway |
do not enter (traffic sign) | no entry |
do the dishes | wash up, do the washing up |
doctor's office | surgery, doctor's surgery |
dog's doo-doo [colloq.] | dog's shit [slang], dog poo, a dog turd |
doghouse | kennel |
dogie | motherless calf |
donut | doughnut |
doo-doo
[colloq.] (e.g. 'I trod in some dog's doo-doo') |
poo [colloq.], shit [slang], faeces, a turd |
doofus [colloq.] | twit [collq.], fool |
dorm [colloq.], dormitory (on college campus) | hall of residence |
double or nothing | quits |
double-pane windows | double-glazed windows, double glazing |
downscale | downmarket |
downspout | drainpipe |
downtown (see also uptown) | city centre |
draft, the (compulsory military service) | conscription |
draftee (someone forced by law to do military service) | conscript |
drainboard (dish-drying surface by kitchen sink) | draining board |
drapes, draperies (generally plural only) | thicker curtains |
dress shoes | smart casual or formal style shoes |
dresser (chest of drawers with mirror on top) | dressing table |
drip feed [med.] | drip (as in 'he was put on a drip') |
driver's license | driving licence |
driver's test | driving test |
driveway (private road leading to a private property) | drive,
driveway; garage drive |
drop cloth | dust sheet |
druggist (person licensed to sell/prepare medicines) | chemist |
drunken driver/driving | drink-driver/driving |
dry goods store | drapery, draper's (shop) |
dry the dishes | dry up |
dude [colloq.] | bloke, geezer [both colloq.], chap, fellow |
duff [slang] (as in: 'Get off your duff!') | backside, rear end [colloq.] |
dumb | stupid |
dummy [slang] (stupid person) | wally [slang] |
dump (n. & v.) (garbage or trash) | tip (n. & v.) (rubbish) |
dump on someone | criticize someone severely |
dump truck | dumper, tipper lorry, tipper truck |
Dumpster™ (large metal container for waste disposal) | container, skip |
dupe (gullible, easily deceived person) | mug [slang] |
duplex (house) | maisonette |
duplex
apartment (apartment on two stories with its own entrance) |
semi-detached house |
dust cloth | duster |
duty roster (work-sharing schedule) | rota |
dweeb [slang] (socially awkward person) | nerd |