14 American Words Not Widely Used In Britain | M

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Continuing our series of alphabetised words and phrases common to the U.S. that are not widely used in the UK, here are 12 such words beginning with the letter 'M'.


1. Mail carrier or mailman
A person who delivers mail to residences and businesses; also letter carrier. UK equivalents: postman, postwoman, postal worker.

2. Mailbox
UK equivalent: post box, letter box, pillar box.

3. Main street
The principal street of a small town or city, on which most of its retail businesses are situated, or a metaphor for smaller cities and/or small businesses in general. UK equivalent: high street.

4. Mass transit
UK equivalent: public transport.

5. Math
Abbr. "Mathematics". UK equivalent: maths.

6. Maven
Expert, guru; from the Yiddish.

7. Midsize
Medium size.

8. Miranda
(Miranda warning) the warning (usually "You have the right to remain silent. If you give up that right, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law." etc.) given to criminal suspects before interrogation. UK equivalent: "reading rights" or "cautioned as to his or her rights".

9. Mom, mama, mamma, or momma
Mother. UK equivalent: mum[my], mam, ma).

10. Mom-and-pop
Single-family operated small business ("a mom-and-pop store"). UK and US equivalent: family business.

11. Mono/mononucleosis
UK equivalent: Glandular fever.

12. Mortician
UK & US equivalent: undertaker, funeral director.

13. Moxie
Courage, daring, and energy as in "This guy's got moxie!" (from an advertisement for an American soft drink).

14. Muffler
Part of an automobile's exhaust system, used for silencing engine noise. UK equivalent: silencer.

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Laurence Brown is a British man documenting his life in the truly bizarre and beautiful world of America. Before the end of the decade, he plans to achieve his goal of visiting all 50 United States - highlighting each one in Lost in the Pond's Finding America web series. To help fund this exciting project, consider becoming a patron. Your contribution would be incredibly useful.