[NeedMoreTea]

As it did in British English until, I guess, some time in the 80s or 90s after the Treasury decided to standardise on the US format (edit: apparently that was in 1975).

Like with metrication us Brits adopted it slowly so there were many years of seeing either usage. This wasn't confusing at all. :)

[collyw]

I think there is a mathematical definition and a financial definition of a "billion".

[lotsofpulp]

In the US, there is only one meaning for billion. Thousands (10^3), millions (10^6), billions (10^9), trillions (10^12), quadrillions (10^15), etc. And 99% of people would have never heard of milliard or billiard or any other -ard.

[tasuki]

No cue sports in the US?

[lotsofpulp]

Hah, I meant in the context of numbers.