Although in modern-day America roller coaster is the clear winner, in British English, roller coasters are referred to as Big Dippers.

In the United Kingdom, the term "roller coaster" is widely used and recognized as the standard name for these thrill rides. However, you will also frequently hear them referred to simply as "coasters" or, more traditionally, as "scenic railways" or "big dippers" when referring to older, wooden models. For example, the historic wooden ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach is officially named the "Big Dipper," and "The Scenic Railway" at Dreamland Margate is the oldest in the country. In 2026, British theme parks like Alton Towers and Thorpe Park often market their attractions as "Thrill Rides" or "White-Knuckle Rides." While the American "roller coaster" has become the dominant global term, the "Big Dipper" moniker remains a nostalgic part of the British seaside lexicon. If you are visiting a UK park, you will see signage for "Ride Fastracks" and "Queue Times," but the machines themselves are almost always listed in park guides as "Coasters" or "Roller Coasters," reflecting a unified terminology with the rest of the English-speaking world.