In Britain, Washing Up Is the Dishes
Washing is cleaning with water. British English uses washing for laundry and washing up for dishes, which surprises visitors.
Washing is cleaning with water, and the British uses need explaining. *The washing* is laundry, *washing up* is the dishes, and *a wash* can be a quick clean of yourself. American English says laundry and dishes, and *washing up* there means washing your hands.
- Cleaning with water. *Hand washing.*
- Laundry (British). *Hang the washing out.*
- Washing up — the dishes (British). *I will do the washing up.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | washing | A load of washing. |
| Verb | wash | Wash your hands. |
| Compound | washing machine | A new washing machine. |
| Compound | washing-up liquid | Washing-up liquid. |
| American | laundry / dishes | Do the dishes. |
How it is used in a sentence
- Get the washing in before it rains.British: laundry on the line.
- Whose turn is the washing up?Dishes.
- It will all come out in the wash.Meaning it will be sorted out eventually.
British and American laundry
- Washing / laundry — the clothes
- Washing-up liquid / dish soap — for dishes
- Washing powder / detergent — for clothes
- Tumble dryer / dryer — the machine
- Airer / drying rack — the frame for drying indoors
From Old English *wascan*, to wash, related to *water*. The phrase *come out in the wash* refers to stains that eventually disappear with laundering.
Washing up in Britain or America?
In Britain it means washing the dishes. In America it usually means washing your hands and face.
What does *it will come out in the wash* mean?
That a problem will resolve itself in time, like a stain that eventually washes out.