🌍 American vs British · vocabulary

dish soap vs washing-up liquid

The liquid detergent used for washing dishes by hand.

American
dish soap

“We're out of dish soap, so add a bottle to the shopping list.”

British
washing-up liquid

“We're out of washing-up liquid, so add a bottle to the shopping list.”

Good to know

Americans say "dish soap" (or "dishwashing liquid"), while Britons say "washing-up liquid." The British term reflects the common UK phrase "doing the washing-up" for cleaning dishes after a meal.

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