AN OCEAN AWAY

American vs. British English: 10 Dramatic Vocabulary Differences!

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While many things bring us closer to the UK, some aspects of our language are key elements that set us apart. English is spoken by more than 1.4 billion people worldwide; with so many people using this language, it is understandable that some differences have developed. It is those little details that give each place its unique style!

To honor that, we have compiled some objects called very differently in America and the UK. Come with us as we walk through these 10 drastic vocabulary differences between American English and British English!

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Everybody knows that every sentence must end with a period, right? Well, actually, in the UK, they end with a "full stop."

While both terms refer to the same punctuation mark, they carry very different names in each country.

The British term arose around the 14th century and has its origin in the Latin phrase punctus plenus ("full point"). The American word comes from the Latin periodus, which was used to refer to a complete series of events or a complete and finished sentence.

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How would you react if a friend from the neighborhood asked you to put the market bags in the "boot"? That's what they call the car trunkin the UK!

The term "boot" to refer to that part of the vehicle is a bit older in history. Many sources claim that this term has been around since the days of coachmen, who used to keep their boots in the back of carriages or cars.

The American "trunk," on the other hand, is believed to come from when vehicles had actual trunks attached to them, where luggage and other large packs were stored.

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If you hear the word "football," you probably think of quarterbacks and touchdowns. However, to a Brit, this would be different.

"Football" in the UK refers to what we know as "soccer." Why do we use such different words for the same sport? Because, as you know, we Americans reserve the term "football" for our beloved gridiron.

Surprisingly, "soccer" originated in England! Emerging in the 19th century, it was a short form for "association football," which was a way of calling soccer to distinguish it from other forms of football played in those days.

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It seems that cars are a big point of divergence between American and British English, not only in terms of parts but also in vehicle types.

What we know as a "station wagon" is called an "estate car" in the UK; quite different, right? The UK uses this term because that type of vehicle was mainly used in country estates to transport large amounts of goods to and from those locations.

Meanwhile, the American "station wagon" originated from early wagons that transported people and luggage between hotels and train stations.

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If a toddler asked you for the "dummy," would you know what he or she meant? That child is probably British, as "dummy" is the term used for pacifiers in the UK.

The word "dummy" has been used to refer to an imitation or substitute. In the UK, from the 20th century onwards, babies' dummies were so named for serving as a substitute for the mother's breast or bottle.

The term "pacifier" (or "passy" for the cool babies) is pretty self-explanatory, right? It refers to the object's main purpose: to calm our beloved little ones.

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With so many garments and styles, fashion has vocabulary differences as well. What is called a "vest" in America is known in the UK as a "gilet."

While Americans call any sleeveless garment a "vest," the British use "gilet" only for casual wear.

Do you know where these terms come from? You got it: they both come from France, one of the birthplaces of world fashion.

The French gilet entered English around the 19th century and was related to the utility of the garment. "Vest," on the other hand, comes from the French veste, which referred to a long, sleeveless garment worn under armor.

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Here we are with the cars again. We've already checked the trunk. Now, let’s move to the front of the car to inspect the hood.

That cover that we lift to check -or just admire- the engine is called a "hood" in America. But, as is often the case, things are different in the UK, where this part of the car is referred to as a "bonnet."

Both terms come from the early days of automobiles. The old carriages had a protective cover over the driver's seat known as a "hood" or "bonnet." Between the 19th and 20th centuries, these terms were simply transposed to the engine cover of early cars.

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You know where to go if you need medicine or health care products: the drugstore. But if you're in the UK, you might have a little more trouble finding this place. Not because it's hidden but because it has another name there: "chemist."

"Chemist" comes from the Latin chimista, a person who experimented with chemical substances. From the 18th century on, "chemist" was applied in England to early pharmacy practitioners.

The American term "drugstore" is more explicit. Originally, this type of store only sold meds, expanding its product offering over time.

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Eggplant is one of those vegetables with as many lovers as haters; which group are you in?

But today, we're not discussing the qualities of this vegetable but its name. What we know here as "eggplant" is called "aubergine" in the UK.

The British word has French, Catalan, and Arabic origins and began to be used in English around the 18th century. The American word also appeared in the 18th century, and it is believed to have arisen due to the resemblance between the vegetable's shape and that of chicken eggs.

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Remember those days as a kid when your mom would push you around in the shopping cart? Well, if you had been to the UK, she would have placed you in the "trolley" instead.

The British "trolley" comes from the name of a type of cart used to transport goods on trails. In the 20th century, with the rise of supermarkets, it began to refer to shopping carts or baskets.

The American term originated in the 20th century with the invention of the cart specifically designed for shopping.

FROZEN FRONTIER

10 Chilling Facts About Earth’s Southernmost Continent

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Under a cold and desolate façade, Antarctica - the icy continent at the bottom of the world - hides a myriad of mysteries and wonders. From its stunning landscapes to its unique wildlife, this frozen wilderness is one of the most intriguing places on Earth.

Grab your coat and join us in an expedition through 10 fascinating facts about the white continent.

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Despite its vast ice cover, Antarctica is considered a desert because of its low precipitation levels. In fact, it's the driest continent on Earth, with some areas receiving less than 2 inches of precipitation per year. And given the fact that Antarctica’s ice sheet holds around 60% of the world’s freshwater, it is certainly a paradoxical desert!

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This one might sound a bit obvious, but hold your horses. Antarctica is not only the coldest continent on Earth but also holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded, a bone-chilling -128.6°F. The extreme cold recorded was likely due to the continent's high elevation, ice cover, and lack of air moisture.

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Antarctica is home to several species of penguins, including the iconic Emperor Penguin. These flightless birds are perfectly adapted to the harsh Antarctic conditions, with layers of blubber and tightly packed feathers to keep them warm in subzero temperatures. Despite often being found in remote locations, these charming animals are currently endangered due to the effects of climate change and the warming of oceanic waters.

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While ozone-depleting gasses are emitted all over the planet, holes in the ozone layer in Earth’s atmosphere often form in extremely cold regions, due to various meteorological phenomena unique to these areas. The Antarctic ozone hole was first discovered in the 1980s and led to the ban of chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which deplete ozone molecules, in commercial applications. However, despite international efforts to reduce these emissions, the ozone hole persists, albeit at a reduced size.

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Almost 93% of the world's mass of icebergs is found surrounding Antarctica. These frozen giants are often formed when the massive ice shelves and glaciers found in the continent naturally break off and float away, usually drifting northward into the Southern Atlantic. Some icebergs in this region can be as large as small countries, posing a hazard to maritime navigation.

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In the frigid waters beneath Antarctica's ice shelves, scientists have discovered thriving communities of microbes. These extremophiles, capable of surviving in extreme cold and darkness, play a crucial role in Antarctic ecosystems and could even offer insights into life's potential on other planets.

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Antarctica has a rich history of exploration, from the early expeditions of pioneers like Roald Amundsen and Ernest Shackleton to modern scientific research missions. The continent remains one of the last frontiers on Earth, with much of its interior still unexplored. Interestingly, astronauts are often sent to Antarctic bases during the dark winter months as training for the similarly unforgiving conditions found in space.

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During the Antarctic summer, the sun doesn't set for several months in regions south of the Antarctic Circle, leading to continuous daylight. This strange phenomenon, known as the midnight sun, provides ample opportunity for scientific research and exploration, as well as relatively improved weather conditions. Temperatures as high as 64.9 °F have been recorded, though the average is far lower, around 32 °F most of the time.

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In 1959, twelve countries signed the Antarctic Treaty, establishing Antarctica as a scientific preserve and banning military activity on the continent. Today, the treaty has been ratified by 54 countries, fostering international cooperation in Antarctic research and environmental protection.

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Beneath Antarctica's ice sheet lie numerous subglacial lakes, hidden from view for millions of years. These lakes, kept liquid by geothermal heat, could harbor unique forms of life and provide clues to Earth's past climate. Among these, Lake Vostok is the largest of Antarctica's known subglacial lakes, and - with an estimated volume of 1,300 cu mi - also the 6th largest lake in the world by volume.