April Fools’ Day and British vs American English
October 22, 2025
APRIL FOOLS’ DAY – MELAGIŲ DIENA
The first of April is a day for playing jokes and making people laugh.
This custom began in the 16th century.
The beginning of the month tells about the end of winter and the coming of spring.
People are merry, happy and always play jokes.
April Fools’ Day is called Cuckoo Day in Scotland.
People play jokes in some places only in the morning.
If they do this in the afternoon or evening, they can hear such words:
“April Fool is past. You are the biggest fool at last.”
VOCABULARY
| English | Pronunciation | Lithuanian |
|---|---|---|
| a fool | /fuːl/ | kvailys |
| a joke | /dʒəʊk/ | pokštas |
| a custom | /ˈkʌstəm/ | paprotys |
| a century | /ˈsentʃəri/ | šimtmetis |
| merry | /ˈmeri/ | linksmas |
| to call | /kɔːl/ | vadinti |
| a cuckoo | /ˈkʊkuː/ | gegutė |
| a difference | /ˈdɪfrəns/ | skirtumas |
| a meaning | /ˈmiːnɪŋ/ | reikšmė |
| spelling | – | rašyba |
DO YOU SPEAK AMERICAN?
English people went to America in the 17th century.
So, the people living in the United States speak American English.
In Great Britain they speak British English.
The differences are in meaning, spelling and pronunciation of words.
British vs American English
| British English | Meaning | American English |
|---|---|---|
| autumn | ruduo | fall |
| biscuit | sausainis | cookie |
| film | filmas | movie |
| gym shoes | sportiniai bateliai | sneakers |
| holidays | atostogos | vacation |
| lift | liftas | elevator |
| lorry | sunkvežimis | truck |
| pavement | šaligatvis | sidewalk |
| petrol | benzinas | gas |
| shop | parduotuvė | store |
| underground | metro | subway |
Spelling
| British English | Lithuanian | American English |
|---|---|---|
| centre | centras | center |
| colour | spalva | color |
| favourite | mėgstamas | favorite |
| neighbour | kaimynas | neighbor |
| programme | programa | program |
| theatre | teatras | theater |
Pronunciation
| British English | Lithuanian | American English |
|---|---|---|
| can’t /kɑːnt/ | negalėti | /kænt/ |
| dance /dɑːns/ | šokti | /dæns/ |
| pass /pɑːs/ | praeiti | /pæs/ |
| port /pɔːt/ | uostas | /pɔːrt/ |
| short /ʃɔːt/ | trumpas | /ʃɔːrt/ |
PREPOSITIONS
| Preposition | Meaning |
|---|---|
| in | inside |
| on | on top of |
| under | below |
| between | in the middle of two |
| across | from one side to another |
| along | next to, by the side of |
Exercises
Exercise 1Vocabulary – April Fools’ Day
Translate into English.
- pokštas
- kvailys
- paprotys
- linksmas
- šimtmetis
Exercise 2Fill in the Blanks – April Fools’ Day
Complete the sentences.
- The first of April is a day for playing ___.
- People are ___ and happy.
- This ___ began in the 16th century.
- In Scotland it is called ___ Day.
- If people joke in the evening, they hear “___.”
Exercise 3Choose the Correct Answer
-
April Fools’ Day is on:
a) April 1 b) April 15 c) March 31 -
In Scotland the day is called:
a) Joke Day b) Foolish Day c) Cuckoo Day -
People play jokes:
a) all day b) only in the morning c) only in the evening -
If you joke in the afternoon, people say:
a) "Good morning" b) "April Fool is past" c) "Cuckoo time" -
The tradition started in the:
a) 14th century b) 16th century c) 18th century
Exercise 4British vs American English – Match
Match British and American words.
| British English | American English |
|---|---|
| lorry | ___ |
| pavement | ___ |
| film | ___ |
| shop | ___ |
| underground | ___ |
Exercise 5Spelling Differences
Write the American form.
- colour → ___
- neighbour → ___
- programme → ___
- favourite → ___
- theatre → ___
Exercise 6Pronunciation Awareness
Answer in one word (British or American).
- Which English says /kænt/?
- Which English says /dæns/?
- Which English uses /pɔːrt/?
- Which English uses /pɔːt/?
- Which English says /ʃɔːrt/?
Exercise 7Fill in with Prepositions
Use in, on, under, between, across, or along.
- The cat is ___ the table.
- The children walk ___ the street.
- The ball is ___ the box.
- The bridge goes ___ the river.
- The house is ___ two trees.
Exercise 8Translate to Lithuanian
Translate these words into Lithuanian.
- vacation
- sidewalk
- gas
- sneakers
- store
Exercise 9Differences in Meaning
Answer shortly.
- What is the American word for “film”?
- What is the British word for “vacation”?
- What is the American word for “lorry”?
- What is the British word for “subway”?
- What is the American word for “shop”?
Exercise 10Short Reading – Do You Speak American?
Answer in full sentences.
- When did English people go to America?
- What do people speak in the United States?
- What do people speak in Great Britain?
- What are the three main differences between the two English types?
- Which English says “color”?