Can you guess where Mabel is this Monday?
She is at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London.
The Wimbledon Championships, or simply Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, and is widely considered the most prestigious. It is also the only court in the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments (majors) that still uses the game’s original surface, grass (as opposed to plexicusion).
The tournament takes place over two weeks in late June and early July, this year the tournament begins on June 23 (today) and will have matches until the 6th of July. It is culminated with the Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Singles Final, scheduled for the second Saturday and Sunday respectively. Each year five major, junior, and invitational events are held.
London is made up of two ancient cities, which are now joined together. The first is the City of London; known as ‘The City’ the second is the City of Westminster. These two joined cities make London the largest in Britain and Europe occupying over 620 square miles.
Buckingham Palace, located in London, has served as the official London residence of Britain’s sovereigns since 1837 and today is the administrative headquarters of the Monarch. Buckingham Palace houses offices of those who support the day-to-day activities of The Queen, Elizabeth II, and The Duke of Edinburgh and their immediate family.
The Queen II has become the second-longest reigning monarch in 1,000 years of British history. She has now overtaken George the III, who reigned for 59 years, 96 days and 13 extra leap-year days. Queen Elizabeth II, the eldest daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II was born in 1926 and became Queen at the age of 25. Now age 88, the Queen has reigned through more than 5 decades of enormous social change and development.
Britain’s main language is English (British English) although Queen Elizabeth II speaks fluent French and often uses the language for Audiences and State Visits. Her Majesty does not require an interpreter.
Below are some differences between American English and British English word choices:
| British English | American English |
| anti-clockwise | counter-clockwise |
| articulated lorry | trailer truck |
| autumn | autumn, fall |
| barrister | attorney |
| bill (restaurant) | bill, check |
| biscuit | cookie |
| block of flats | apartment building |
| bonnet (clothing) | hat |
| bonnet (car) | hood |
| boot | trunk |
| caravan | trailer |
| car park | parking lot |
| chemist’s shop | drugstore, pharmacy |
| chest of drawers | dresser, chest of drawers, bureau |
| chips | fries, French fries |
| the cinema | the movies |
| clothes peg | clothespin |
| coffin | coffin, casket |
| crisps | potato chips |
| crossroads | intersection; crossroads (rural) |
| cupboard | cupboard (in kitchen); closet (for clothes etc) |
| diversion | detour |
| drawing-pin | thumbtack |
| drink-driving | drunk driving |
| driving licence | driver’s license |
| dual carriageway | divided highway |
| dummy (for baby) | pacifier |
| dustbin | garbage can, trash can |
| dustman | garbage collector |
| engine | engine, motor |
| estate agent | real estate agent |
| estate car | station wagon |
| film | film, movie |
| flat | apartment, flat, studio |
| flat tyre | flat tire |
| flyover | overpass |
| gearbox (car) | transmission |
| gear-lever | gearshift |
| Girl Guide | Girl Scout |
| ground floor | ground/first floor |
| handbag | handbag, purse, shoulder bag |
| high street | main street |
| holiday | vacation |
| hood (car) | convertible top |
| jam | jam, preserves |
| jug | jug, pitcher |
| juggernaut | 18-wheeler |
| lift | elevator |
| lorry | truck, semi, tractor |
| mad | crazy, insane |
| main road | highway |
| maize | corn |
| maths | math |
| motorbike | motorcycle |
| motorway | freeway, expressway |
| motorway | highway, freeway, expressway, interstate highway, interstate |
| nappy | diaper |
| naughts and crosses | tic-tack-toe |
| pants, underpants | underpants, drawers |
| pavement | sidewalk |
| pet hate | pet peeve |
| petrol | gas, gasoline |
| The Plough | Big Dipper |
| pocket money | allowance |
| post | |
| postbox | mailbox |
| postcode | zip code |
| postman | mailman, mail carrier, letter carrier |
| pub | bar |
| public toilet | rest room, public bathroom |
| railway | railroad |
| return (ticket) | round-trip |
| reverse charge | collect call |
| ring road | beltway, freeway/highway loop |
| road surface | pavement, blacktop |
| roundabout | traffic circle, roundabout |
| rubber | eraser |
| rubbish | garbage, trash |
| rubbish-bin | garbage can, trashcan |
| saloon (car) | sedan |
| shop | shop, store |
| silencer (car) | muffler |
| single (ticket) | one-way |
| solicitor | lawyer, attorney |
| spanner | wrench |
| sweets | candy |
| taxi | taxi, taxi cab |
| tea towel | dish towel |
| telly (informal), TV | television, TV |
| third-party insurance | liability insurance |
| timetable | schedule |
| tin | can |
| toll motorway | toll road, turnpike |
| torch | flashlight |
| trousers | pants, trousers |
| tube (train) | subway |
| underground(train) | subway |
| vest | undershirt |
| waistcoat | vest |
| wallet | wallet, billfold |
| wellington boots | rubber boots, rain boots |
| whisky | whisky/whiskey |
| windscreen | windshield |
| zip | zipper |
If you are looking for interpreting, translation, or global marketing services give INGCO International a call!
Original Image found at http://shop.wimbledon.com