By Emma Hayes
Brits and Americans say and spell some words differently here's what you need to knowMarch 03, 2024newsAll English was not created equal. Despite the fact that Americans and Brits both speak English, sometimes it can feel like a different language altogether.If you've ever been confused by when to use a "z" or an "s", or whether "u" is acceptable or not, blame Noah Webster. The man behind the famed Webster's Dictionary was adamant that Americans be independent of the Brits in their lexicon.And if that wasn't enough, some words have a unique pronunciation as well. Here are some of the more common variations.Brits use "re" while Americans use "er."It's either "theater" or "theatre." Flickr/Blondinrikard FröbergThis means that in New York you're going to the theater but in London you'll be seeing a play at the theatre.Brits add a "u" where Americans don't.If you're in the US, you may spell it "neighbor." Universal PicturesIn the United States the chatty woman across the street may be your favorite neighbor but in the UK they may not appreciate that type of behaviour.The Brits often use an extra "l."Remember to add an "l." Sarah Jacobs/Business InsiderA jeweler in the US is a jeweller in the UK.Americans use a "c" or "z" where Brits use an "s."The spelling of "practice" changes. ShutterstockOffence, offense; analyze, analyse; practises, practices are all variations of the same word.Americans drop the "e" before "ment" in words like "judgment.""Judgement" is another word spelled differently. ABC/Eric McCandlessIf you've ever seen judgment and judgement, they're both technically correct.Aluminum/AluminiumBrits stress the second "i" in "aluminum." AP/Daniel R. PatmoreThe Americans keep it pretty simple with a-loo-min-uhm, but the Brits put some stress on that second "i" with a-loo-min-ee-uhm.AteSaying you "ate a salad" sounds different in the US and the UK. Brendan Hoffman/Getty ImagesBelieve it or not, this three-letter word can be a bit tricky depending on which side of the pond you inhabit. Brits say "et" while Americans put a bit more emphasis on the first vowel making it "ayt" or eight.HerbalDrop the "h" when in the US. PexelsThe "h" is silent in the US version making it sound like erbal instead of herbal.GarageIt's a small difference in pronunciation. Flickr/dnakAmericans talk about their guh-rahj, while Brits refer to it as a gah-ruhj.VitaminYou might pronounce "vitamin" differently depending on where your drug store is. shutterstockThe "vit" is pronounced similarly to bite in the US, as in vite-a-min. It the UK it is literally known as a vit-a-min.PrivacyRon Swanson of "Parks and Recreation" likes his privacy. YouTubeIn the UK, privacy is pronounced as prih-vacy, similar to privy. In the US, the word is pry-vacy.ScheduleIn the US, people aren't used to the "sh" sound in "schedule." Strelka/FlickrThis one is always particularly odd. The Brits use an "sh" sound for "sch" in this instance, making it shed-yool. The Americans are partial to the "k" sound making it sked-yool. Both nations agree that school is skool, however.Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.Read the original article on INSIDER. Copyright 2018.Follow INSIDER on Facebook.Follow INSIDER on Twitter.ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonytrc2grJqflWKxqrLFnqmeppOawG6u0aKrrGWRo7FurcyeqaKbkaPAbn6Pam9mcA%3D%3D