最纯正的英语是英国英语,美国英语是在英国英语的基础上演化、发展而来的。但在近代,尤其是二战以后,美国势力上升,随之美国英语也逐渐流行起来,大有超过英国英语之逝。举个例子:一英国人和一美国人在等电梯,电梯来了之后,英国人礼貌的说:“The lift comes.”而美国人则傲慢的说:“What? Do you mean the elevator?”英国人不满说:“No, I mean the LIFT.”美国人不屑地说:“I know what it is. It's an ELEVATOR, for it's invented in America.”英国人讥讽道:“Sure I know it's a LIFT, for English is invented in Britain.”美国人听候无言以对。