British English vs. American English often reveals fascinating differences in English vocabulary. On both sides of the Atlantic, people send and receive items through the post, but the words they use to describe them are not always the same. One of the language variations is “parcel” and “package,” which we’ll talk more about in this article by diving into the etymology and origins of these terms and giving numerous examples.
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“Parcel” or “package”
The English terms “parcel” and “package” are two sides of the same coin; one is preferred in British English (parcel), whereas the other is preferred in American English (package). Both nouns have several meanings; however, the meanings they have in common are:
- A wrapped item for delivery
- A collection of items
Although less frequently used, “parcel” can also be a verb, meaning “divide into parts” or “to make something into a parcel by wrapping it.” “Package” as a verb can commonly mean “to put into a box for wrapping.”
British English
Parcel
American English
Package
While both spellings are correct, the choice depends on the variant of English being employed. To guarantee coherence, it is imperative to use the spelling that aligns with your chosen variant.
Examples of using “parcel” and “package” as a noun
The following examples will demonstrate the linguistic divergence of the noun “parcel/package” in British and American English.
- British English: Parcel
- American English: Package
- She took the parcel to the post office.
- The courier left a parcel on the doorstep.
- He received a parcel from his cousin.
- She took the package to the post office.
- The courier left a package on the doorstep.
- He received a package from his cousin.
Etymology and origin
The existence of both terms is a result of the natural evolution of language and regional variations. English has many examples of words that have developed differently in British and American English due to cultural influences, migration, and the natural divergence of the English language over time, e.g., “fringe or bangs.” Below, we’ll explain the origin and etymology of “parcel” and “package.”
The term “parcel” can be traced back to the late 14th century, referring to “a portion or part of something.” It derives from the Old French word “parcele,” meaning “small piece,” which itself is derived from the Vulgar Latin “particella,” which is a diminutive of “pars” (part). Its current meaning is recorded from the 1640s in the sense of “a quantity of goods in a package.”
The term “package” dates from the 1530s, originally meaning “the act of packing,” formed from “pack” + the noun-forming suffix “-age” (or possibly borrowed from Dutch “pakkage,” meaning “baggage.” The word “pack” itself goes back to Middle English “pakke/pak,” likely from a Low German or Dutch source (pac, pack, pak), meaning “bundle.” By the early 18th century, “package” had developed the sense of “a wrapped or boxed bundle of goods.”
FAQs
The difference between “parcel” and “package” is that the former is used in British English, whereas the latter is preferred in American English.
Americans say “package,” while Brits use “parcel.”
“Parcel” is used in British English while “package” is preferred in American English.
“Parcel” and “package” in the sense of “a wrapped or boxed bundle of goods” can be used as synonyms; however, “parcel” is preferred in British English, whereas “package” is used in American English, so make sure to maintain coherence by using one or the other.
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