Why in England is an apartment called a "flat"? Is there a differnce between the two?

Question

Just wondering.

Answer 1

In England most houses are at least two stories tall, as opposed to an apartment where you take a "flat" slice from a tower block.

The terms have the same meaning, although apartment tends to be used (at least in London) to describe larger, airier accomodation. Flats a beginning to hold the connotation of something slightly cramped or dingy.

Answer 2

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RE:
Why in England is an apartment called a "flat"? Is there a differnce between the two?
Just wondering.

Answer 3

Flat Apartment

Answer 4

Half my family is from the South, half is Northern which is definately interesting for family reunions but I have spent a lot of time in the South so I figure I could try and answer this q. I think the main difference between the south and midwest is culture. Some are still racist but most aren't. At least not the ones I know. But I guess it depends on where you are talking about and how old they are. I also think the accents are different. Honestly, and this doesn't include me, but a lot of Southerners (at least from NC, SC, GA) dislike northerners more than another race. It's kinda crazy what I hear sometimes living down here. You really do need a passport to cross the MD Line.

Answer 5

I'm going to go against the grain here and suggest there is in fact a difference...

Apartments are purpose built in blocks and may actually be on more than one level... has no one here seen the tragedy that was maria carey on cribs

Flats are one level abodes yes, but they tend to be houses which were later split up into separate residences.

some people... or by the looks of this most people in the uk (and ireland where i'm from) do use the word flat to also describe apartments

Answer 6

Well,actually,flats are called flats throughout the whole United Kingdom, not just England!!! I think they are called flats because they consist of one level, having no second or third floor by way of a staircase etc and therefore being flat! So the difference between flat and apartment is that FLAT is easier to spell than APARTMENT, and less of a mouthful to say.

Answer 7

The difference is purely in the name. It is called a 'flat' because there are no stairs in the accommodation (usually) hence all the rooms are 'on the flat' or all on one level. hence 'flat'

Sarah B is not entirely correct. They are called flats in Scotland too. I know I have lived in plenty of them. I used to live in a flat in a tenement building. I think the name 'tenement' applies to the whole building that contains individual flats, a bit like the american "apartment block"

Answer 8

Years back, they were called flats because all the living space was on one level....a flat level.
Now 'flats' sometimes have 2 levels, but its just been more trendy to call them appartments for marketing purposes.
Lots of different words between the 2 languages..you call a car boot a trunk, but us british call your car trunk a boot....dont ask me why on that one
There are a few rude words with totally opposite meanings, but I cant say them on here
1 close to the line not to cross ,is that we call a cigarette a f*g, but f*g means poof to you yanks...
Makes it all interesting dont you think, could do a great comedy sketch with these little anomalies

Answer 9

flat = apartment
for the same reason as in Scotland, they are called tenements

"apartment" is starting to gain acceptance, especially as developers and the buying public seem to think its flashier than flat (some of that is based ont he increased penetration of US television into the UK). Tto wannabe's apartment is posher, after all most flats built int he 50,60 & 70's were local authority housing.

Answer 10

It is only called a flat in England and the Commonwealth. In Scotland it is called a Tenement.

It just highlights the subtle differences in English language usage around the world. Like trousers v pants or handbag v purse.