The Cage Match: Aussie English vs. American English

When Americans fantasize about living in foreign country, they often cite Australia as a place they'd like to go because "they speak the same language". Ah, not exactly. What follows is a list of some of the dissimilar phrases and my vote for which is the more practical phrase.

American: cotton candy
Aussie: fairy floss
Winner: Australian

Let's face it, what it really is is "spun sugar" but where's the poetry and imagination in that? If you think about the phrase "cotton candy" literally, it's not actually appealing. "Fairy floss", on the other hand, brings to mind images of Tinkerbell and her little bitty teeth.

American: sweater
Aussie: jumper
Winner: tie

Neither one makes literal sense. Americans have the "pull-over" vs. "button up" sweater confusion. Aussies have a similar problem. Call it a draw.

American: carry-out
Aussie: take-away
Winner: tie

Both factual, graphic, and accurate.

American: cookie
Aussie: biscuit
Winner: American

I'm biased on this one but I'm going American because then what do you call a baked item used in strawberry shortcake and with breakfast gravy? Hmmmmmmmm........?


American: hood
Aussie: bonnet
Winner: American (but it's close)

They both evoke things worn on the head but I hear "bonnet" and I think "Pride and Prejudice". But on a similar note...

American: trunk
Aussie: boot
Winner: tie. But let's do one more car term...

American: windshield
Aussie: windscreen
Winner: American

It's not screening the wind so much as shielding us from it, but this is another "close" call.

American: bell pepper
Aussie: capsicum
Winner: Australian

We frequently short-cut it to "pepper" and that can create a lot of confusion. "Capsicum" is much more precise.

American: lots
Aussie: heaps and/or mobs
Winner: Australian

"Heaps" refers to (generally) a lot of things. "Mobs" refers (generally) to a lot of people. More visual, more precise. Points to the Aussies.

American: arugula
Aussie: rocket
Winner: tie

Neither one makes sense.

American: (buying) a round
Aussie: (doing) a shout
Winner: American

I can visualize buying for a table, which may be round, or taking a tally "around" the table about who wants another drink. Not as clear on the "shout". But, let it be noted, leaving before you've bought your "shout" is a major faux pas!

American: tank top
Aussie: singlet
Winner: Australian, by a hair

I can't come up with any explantion for "tank top". I can sorta kinda for singlet....the "..let" is a diminutive, the shirt is diminutive...not sure about the "sing...". Anyways, Australia by a hair.