Why do British people say floor instead of ground?

“Floor” was an archaic word for “ground” centuries ago. And according to the Oxford English Dictionary, “floor” has been used in the game of cricket to refer to the ground (but this must be an uncommon usage, since it doesn’t currently appear in any standard British dictionaries).

Why do Americans call the ground floor first floor?

However, you could also use that definition and say that the ground level is “the first floor” because that space is between the ground-level literal floor and the next-level literal floor of the building. There, the “first floor” (or “storey”) also designates the American “second floor.”

Do British say ground floor?

In British English the floor of a building at street level is called the ground floor. The floor above it is the first floor and the floor below is called the basement. In American English, however, the floor at street level is usually called the first floor.

Do Americans call the ground floor the 1st floor?

In American English, the floor which is level with the ground is called the first floor, the floor above it is the second floor, and so on.

Do Americans say floor or level?

Absolutely no difference, they are 100\% interchangeable at all times. If you are saying second floor, you can also say second level. No difference at all.

What is the American English word for lift?

British vs American Vocabulary

British English ↕	American English ↕
lift	elevator
lorry	truck, semi, tractor
mad	crazy, insane
main road	highway

What do Europeans call the first floor?

First Floor/ Ground Floor In the US, the first floor of a building is also the ground floor, but in Europe the first floor is the floor above the ground floor, and the second floor is the one above that.

What is the American English for lift?

Does America have ground floors?

In the United States, the first floor and ground floor are usually equivalent, being at ground level, and may also be called the “lobby” or “main floor” to indicate the entrance to the building. The story just above it is the second floor, and so on.

What is apartment in British English?

In British English, a flat is a set of rooms for living in, usually on one floor of a large building. In American English, a set of rooms like this is usually called an apartment. This word is also used instead of flat in British English to give an impression of luxury.

What do British call a garage?

Car park – n – Parking lot or parking garage.

What do Brits call a car?

In The USA We Call It A: Sedan | In The UK We Call It A: Saloon.

Why is the ground called the “floor” in American English?

“Floor” was an archaic word for “ground” centuries ago, and in Britain “floor” is used in the game of cricket to refer to the ground, but these examples can hardly explain such a usage in American English.

What is the difference between British and American English for floors?

Let’s take a look at a small but important difference in British and American English: the naming of floors in a building. In British English the floor of a building at street level is called the ground floor. The floor above it is the first floor and the floor below is called the basement.

What do Americans call the second floor of a building?

Go up one floor and you are on the second floor (which, of course, is the first floor for the British). The floor below street level is called the basement, the same as in British English. One or two of my American friends tell me that in public buildings in the US it’s also possible to call the street-level floor the ground floor, like in Britain.

What do you call the first floor of a building?

Quote: The ground floor, first floor (and storeys) in British and American English The ground floor and first floor in British and American English April 9, 2012 By Stuart Cook 7 […] So if a building has one ground floor and a 1st floor and 2nd floor (British).