What American doesn’t love a British crime novel? As a whole, they’re not only wickedly delicious, but they also offer readers a glimpse of life in a foreign country—with no translation necessary.

Well, not quite. 

As New York Times bestselling British author Gilly Macmillan (The Burning Library, November 2025) points out, British novels often have to be “lightly Americanized” when they’re published in the U.S. 

Here, for example, are just some of the words Gilly’s U.S. editor has made her change so American readers aren’t left scratching their heads. 

British Word   What Americans Say Instead

aubergine           eggplant
coriander           cilantro
boot                   trunk
pavement           sidewalk
autumn              fall
football             soccer
biscuit              cookie
nappy               diaper
crisps               chips
wardrobe         closet
dummy            pacifier
handbag          purse
lorry               truck
torch               flashlight
trousers          pants
pants              underwear