Some place names that are often misspelled

Strand - The Strand

St Pancras - St Pancreas

Walthamstow - Walthamstowe

Stansted - Stanstead

King's Cross - Kings Cross

Mornington Crescent - Mornington Cresent

Some words you may not have learned at school, but you hear in London

OY - Voicing used to attract attention.

INNIT - Short for Isn't it. For example: London is wonderful, innit?

BOOZER - Another word with the same meaning as pub.

KERFUFFLE - Commotion or fuss between people with different opinions.

OFFY - Off licence, a shop where alcohol is sold for takeaway, not for on-site consumption.

LOO - Public toilet. You can also say The Gents, The Ladies. "To spend a penny" can also be used in the sense of going to the toilet, the expression comes from the distant times when access to a public toilet cost one penny.

POP - Used when going somewhere quickly to come back immediately.

GO OFF - Food that has expired and no longer edible.

FLY TIPPING - Illegally leaving rubbish (Am: trash) in public.

KIP - Informal word for sleep (past form "kipped").

BLOKE - Man.

GEEZER - A very vigorous man.

FOOTIE - Shortened form of football (Not played with hands like Americans do :-) ).

ALIGHT - Formal term meaning get off (often used with transport).

BUSKER - A street musician.

CHEEKY - Me too, to do it spontaneously, in the mood of the moment.

HORSES FOR COURSES - Different people like different things.

QUID - British pound. Even in the plural, the word remains the same, there is no "s" at the end.

HOLE IN THE WALL - ATM. It can also be called CASHPOINT.

BUILDER'S TEA - A strong cup of English tea.

THE OLD BILL - Policeman.

GREASY SPOON - A local, not very upscale coffee shop.

DO A RUNNER - Leave a restaurant without paying the bill.

FIZZY DRINK - Carbonated drink.

HIGH STREET - The main street in a town or area.

PORKIES - Cockney rhyming slang for lies.

JIM JAMS - Pyjamas (childish a bit).

OFF YOUR TROLLEY - Informal way to say someone is crazy.

British English

Many of us have studied English at school. Others have acquired it by watching film or taking courses. But for some reason it tends to be more the language spoken in the US. But many words and expressions are different in British English. I would highlight some of these in this table. You can learn more about the differences in this video .

British	USA
Trainers	Sneakers
Chips	French fries
Crisps	Potato chips
Jumper, pullover	Sweater
Biscuit	Cookie
Waistcoat	Vest
Peckish	Hungry
Colour	Color
Aeroplane	Airplane
Cheque	Check
Theatre	Theater
Grey	Gray
Braces	Suspenders
Block of flats	Apartment building
Ground floor	First floor / ground floor
First floor	Second floor
Underground	Subway
Chemist's / Pharmacy	Drugstore / Pharmacy
Phone box	Phone booth
Queue	Line
Boot	Trunc
Windscreen	Windshield
Indicator	Blinker (turn signal)
Tyre	Tire
Timetable	Schedule
Rubber	Eraser
Post	Mail
Holiday	Vacation
Autumn	Fall, autumn
High street	Main street
Lorry	Truck
Flat	Apartment
Lift	Elevator
Apologise	Apologize
Toilet, Loo	Restroom (bathroom)
Telly	TV
Sweets	Candy
Sweet shop	Candy store
Candy floss	Cotton candy
Torch	Flashlight
Mobile phone	Cellphone
Rubbish	Garbage (trash)
Dustbin	Trash can
Trousers	Pants
Football	Soccer
Tap	Faucet
Pub	Bar
Petrol	Gasoline
Wardrobe	Closet
Anti-clockwise	Counter-clockwise
Taxi	Cab
Car park	Parking lot
Flyover	Overpass
Garden	(Back)yard
Mad	Crazy, insane
Tin	Can
Cooker	Stove
Railway	Railroad
Zip	Zipper
Number plate	Licence plate
Driving licence	Driver's licence
Pavement	Sidewalk
Handbag	Purse
Travelling	Traveling
Motorway	Highway
Motorbike	Motorcycle
Film	Film, movie
Estate agent	Realtor
Estate car	Station wagon
Coriander	Cilantro
Aubergine	Eggplant
Snakes and Ladders	Chutes and Ladders
Second Year Student	Sophomore
Fringe	Bangs
Bath	Bathtub
Reception	Front desk
Trolley	Cart
Washbasin	Sink
Pushchair	Stroller
Headmaster	Principal
Maths	Math
Packed lunch	Bag lunch
Staff room	Teacher's lounge
Full stop	Period
Plimsolls	Gym shoes
Primary school	Elementary school
Cutlery	Silverware
Eggy bread	French toast
Fairy cake	Cup cake
Flan	Fruit pie
Gammon	Ham
Jug	Pitcher
Maize	Corn
Spring onions	Green onions
Wellington boots	Rubber boots
Dungarees	Overalls
Swimming suit	Bathing suit
Pyjamas	Pajamas
Fire engine	Fire truck
Crossraoad	Intersection
Roundabout	Traffic circle
Ladybird	Ladybug
Postcode	Zip code
Cashier	Teller
Sellotape	Scotch tape
Dustman	Garbage man
Postman	Mailman
Nil	Zero
Caretaker	Janitor
Dear, Costly	Expensive
Lass	Girl
Jumble sale	Yard sale
Noughts and crosses	Tic tac toe
Parcel	Package
Plaster	Band-aid

To learn British English, you can also watch these videos:
Video 1
Video 2
Video 4
Video 6
Video 7
Video 8
Video 9
Video 10
Video 11
(Some numbers are missing, because Youtube has declared some language lessons private. Why?)

The secret language of taxi drivers

You do not need to know the slang between taxi drivers, but maybe you are interested?

Arnie - The driver isn't going home yet. Remember: I'll be back

B & B - Police check. Licence called a bill is checked.

Bilker - A customer who plans to leave without paying.

Blue Lights - The police are investigating the accident.

Blue Trees - A policeman measures speed from the shade of a tree or pole.

Broom - A ride that a taxi driver gives up to another because he doesn't want it.

Butterboy - Rookie.

Butterfly - Part-time driver, only drives in good weather.

Canary - Driver with a yellow badge, may only drive in the suburbs.

Carpet - 3 pounds.

Ching - 5 pounds.

Churchill - A meal. It was Winston Churchill who gave taxi drivers permission to take a lunch break during working hours.

Cooking - Too long to wait for a ride, poor service.

Droshky - Taxi.

Full House - The car is full of passengers.

Gavroched - There is so much traffic that the driver manages to get out and read the menu on the wall of the restaurant.

Hickory - Taximeter.

Kojak with a Kodak - Same as Blue Trees.

Legalled - The bill was paid but no tip was given.

Oner - Long drive, over £100.

Scab - Small taxi.

Set - An accident.

Sherb - Taxi.

Single pin - A traveller travelling alone.

Stalking - Driving without turning on the taximeter.

Suit - City man.

Turkish - Laughter.