UK-US Lingo

There are subtle differences in UK and US English.

The general language used in this blog, is American English. That is to say, I will use chili instead of chilli, fiber instead of fibre and center instead of centre.

The differences do not end there. UK and US English also have very different names for everyday items. I recall looking for rocket in the supermarket (grocery store) in the US, only to realize weeks later it was called arugula! In this blog, I've tried my hardest to use both UK and US English terminologies, where possible.

I’ve created this page to help you understand the lingo on both sides. It’s a work in process, and I’ll be adding to it when another word pops into my head.

The list is comprised of the UK English on left, with the corresponding US equivalent on the right, unless otherwise stated.


UK-US LINGO

Ingredients
Vegetables/Fruits (Produce)
Courgette – zucchini
Spring onions – green onions
Coriander – cilantro
Swede – rutabaga
Rocket – arugula
Aubergine – eggplant
Cos Lettuce – Romaine
Sweet potato – sweet potato/yams
Chinese leaf - napa cabbage
Mangetout - snow peas

Baking/bakery items
Cane sugar – turbinado sugar
Icing sugar – confectioners/powdered sugar
Hazelnuts are sometimes known as filberts
Sultanas – raisins
Raisins – currants
Currants – I have not found an alternative…
Plain flour – all-purpose flour
Pastry case – pie shell/crust
Bicarbonate of soda - baking soda
Treacle - molasses
Bap/cob/barm – bread roll

Pantry
Jam/preserve – jelly
Jelly - jello
Polenta – sometimes known as cornmeal or corn flour
Corn flour – corn starch
Chick peas – garbanzo beans
Fruit butter (US), as in apple or pumpkin butter, is a jam/spread (UK), but contains no butter
Suet, as in Atora suet (vegetable or beef), does not exist. The US does not use suet for human consumption, but for bird feed
Pancakes (US) can be known as flapjacks

Snacks
Flapjacks – no real equivalent, but very close to a soft granola bar
Biscuit – cookie
Crisps - chips
Biscuit (US) is almost like as scone, but only savory
Scone (UK) – similar to shortcake, if sweet
Scone (US) – similar to a British scone, but dryer and with more substance

Dairy
Double cream – heavy cream (I’ve not found anything that is equivalent to whipping cream)

Meat
Minced as in minced beef – ground
Burger, as in beef burger – beef patty
Back-bacon - non-existent, unless you buy imported. The only bacon you can get is streaky

Kitchen Equipment/Techniques
Baking tray – baking pan/cookie pan
Frying pan - skillet
Piping nozzle – piping tip
Hob – stove/stove top
Grill - broil

Restaurant Terminology
Main course – entrée
With ice-cream – a la mode (as in apple pie a la mode, is apple pie with ice cream)