"England and America are two countries separated by the same language."
      -- Oscar Wilde, "The Canterville Ghost"

editors: Doreen Rich(confused Yankee) and Neil Ward(gen-yoo-ine British person)
Additional material by various contributors, Martje Ross - DH, OP, HBP material by Steve Vander Ark, Michele L. Worley

This section provides explanations and definitions for many of the British phrases and expressions found in the Harry Potter books. Also included are some of the puns and other plays on words that are specifically British (e.g., Knight Bus) and also some words which are not specifically British but which may be unfamiliar to U.S. readers. Many thanks to Neil and Doreen for their hard work on this, and to Martje for helping us update it.

If there are words or phrases in the Harry Potter universe that you wonder about, feel free to let us know.