Small Differences in Language, originally uploaded by LeeLeFever_TwinF.

One of the things that makes New Zealand like home is the familiar language. Still, there a lots of tiny differences in NZ English that serve to amuse more than confuse us yanks. Most are from British English and some may be regional or innacurate. Here are some of the terms we've noticed...



A game room is a "games room"

You don't watch sports, you watch "sport".

Food or drink you take with you is "take away"

French fries are "chips"

In the car, you don't yield, you "give way"

College is "varsity" not to be confused with "Uni" in Australia

A freeway is a "motorway"

A parking lot is a "car park"

An overpass is an "overbridge"

To fill something up is to "top up"

Instead of buckle, you "do up" your seatbelt

An Americano espresso is a "long black" and a latte without foam is a "flat white"

A cell phone is a "mobile"

An expiration date is an "expiry" date

Low fat 2 percent milk is "trim"

Speed bumps are "judder bars"

Shopping carts are "trolleys" (in some cases)

Appetizers are "entrees" on many menus.

Dates are in the form of dd/mm/yyyy

Cookies are "biscuits"

A fee is a "tariff"

Windsheilds on a car are "windscreens"

Slot or gambling machines are "pokies"

You don't rent, you "hire"

Sunny weather is referred to as "fine"

A cash register is a "till"

When something is small it is "wee"

Driving under the influence is "drink driving".

A round trip ticket is a "return" ticket

Bell Peppers are "capsicums"

A cooler or ice chest is a "chilly bin"

The letter Z is pronounced "Zed".



If you ask me, some of these terms make a lot more sense than the US versions. An appetizer should be called "entree", right?