An American visiting England

An American visiting England walked into a hotel lobby. ?The lift will be down presently,? the receptionist told him. ?The lift?? said the American. ?Oh, you mean the elevator.? ?No, I mean the lift.? replied the Englishman. ?I think I should know what it is called,? said the American. ?Elevators were invented in the States.? ?Perhaps,? retorted the Englishman. ?But we invented the language.?