Mark

There are thousands of small differences between British English and American English.

The British say "have a bath" or "have a shower" when the Americans say "take a bath" or "take a shower".

I've read that the British say "showering myself" when the Americans say "showering". Do they also say "bathing myself"?

This is the best sample sentence I could come up with:

American: There was a knock on the door while I was showering *or* while I was bathing.

(Actually it would be more normal to say, "There was a knock on the door while I was in the shower" or "while I was taking a bath".)

British: There was a knock on the door while I was showering myself *or* while I was bathing myself.

My question is: do the British say "showering myself" and "bathing myself"?

Jay: What animal has a trunk?

Bea: A monkey.

Jay: A monkey? When does a monkey have a trunk?

Bea: When a suitcase just won't do.

In the US, fast food restaurants used to make plastic spoons and forks available. Now they have plastic "sporks". A spork is a spoon with very short tongs at the end so that it can be used as a fork.

What is a "spork" called in the UK?

In the US, fast food restaurants used to make plastic spoons and forks available. Now they have plastic "sporks". A spork is a spoon with very short tongs at the end so that it can be used as a fork.

What is a "spork" called in the UK?

Does anyone know of a better British to American English/American to British English dictionary?

I have *British English A to Zed* by Norman Schur (the best I've found so far) and *Divided by a Common Language* by Christopher Davies (also good) and a few other lesser dictionaries of the same type, but does anyone know of a better or more complete dictionary of this type?

Does anyone know of a better British to American English/American to British English dictionary?

I have *British English A to Zed* by Norman Schur (the best I've found so far) and *Divided by a Common Language* by Christopher Davies (also good) and a few other lesser dictionaries of the same type, but does anyone know of a better or more complete dictionary of this type?

How do you write in Latin "Crotus of the Sagittarii"?

"Crotus is a proper name.

"Sagittarii" is intended to be the plural of Sagittarius. If I got it wrong, feel free to correct me, but that's not the point anyway.

As I understand it, the Sagittarii (?) were archers, so I want to say Crotus of the archers that were known as Sagittarii.

What is the Latin genitive plural of Sagittarius?

In Graeco-Roman legend and myth, who was the greatest hunter with a bow?

Who was the greatest archer or bowman in Graeco-Roman legend and myth?

Humans are the only living species of their genus. Is there any other genus (or genii) that has only one living species?

What is the thing called that hangs down from a turkey's beak, and what is its function?

"England and America are two countries divided by a common language." (Commonly attributed to George Shaw but not found in any of his published writings)

Of course British English and American English are the same language and there are no major differences. But there are thousands of minor differences in idioms, word meanings, word usage, spelling and more. Is there a more or less complete book that gives all of the differences?

What did you do this year on Bonfire Night?

Is this what you do every year?

What part of Britain do you live in?

Here is a question for the best of the best grammar Nazis.

Which is correct: one and a half (1-1/2) gallon (singular) or one and a half (1-1/2) gallons (plural)?

I've always used and heard the plural with one and a fraction, but what is the rule? Do you know the reasoning behind it?

I've only read a little about David Cameron, but already I like him. From what little I've read he seems to be sincerely interested in the needs of the British people.

As one of his first moves in office, he appointed Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, as his Deputy. Was this just a grab for power, or was it a sincere effort to unite the two parties?

What's your take on him?

Can someone give me a short, brief, condensed outline of the British government?

What is the Queen's actual function? Does she have real power or is she just a figurehead?

What is the name of the current Prime Minister? What exactly is the Prime Minister? Is he an elected executive officer? How often is a Prime Minister elected? That is to say, what is the length of his term in office.

Does each country (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) have its own executive officer; what is his title?

Is parliament a proper word for the Houses of Lords and Commons? What, in a word, is the function of the Houses?

What do you call the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government? Is the government clearly divided into these three branches?

Feel free to add any details that you think are relevant, but please be brief.

I'm an American and I'm so used to the US system of government that it just dawned on me that your system is probably completely different. I'm only asking for lesson 1. Thank you for your help on this.

Is the expression 'you can't swing a dead cat in here without hitting a...' generally known and used in Britain?

What is a word for a part of a name that is appended to someone's proper name for the purpose of distinguishing him, such as Alexander THE GREAT, Catherine THE GREAT, Ivan THE TERRIBLE, Bruce THE RED, Phillip OF MACEDON?

What do you call a name that is appended to someone's proper name for the purpose of distinguishing him, such as Alexander THE GREAT, Catherine THE GREAT, Ivan THE TERRIBLE, Bruce THE RED, Phillip OF MACEDON?

As you know, the Scottish Referendum will take place in September of 2014, but when will the popular vote (the vote of the people) take place?

As you know, the Scottish Referendum will take place in September of 2014. If it is unsuccessful, will there be an adverse effect on Scotland? Will Scotland be thought of as 'that horrid, ungrateful child that tried to succeed from Great Britain'? Or will it continue to be viewed as that beautiful child that we all know and love?