Revenge for leaving all those "U"s out of words!
QuoteBritishisms and the Britishisation of American English
There is little that irks British defenders of the English language more than Americanisms, which they see creeping insidiously into newspaper columns and everyday conversation. But bit by bit British English is invading America too.
"Spot on - it's just ludicrous!" snaps Geoffrey Nunberg, a linguist at the University of California at Berkeley.
"You are just impersonating an Englishman when you say spot on."
"Will do - I hear that from Americans. That should be put into quarantine," he adds.
And don't get him started on the chattering classes - its overtones of a distinctly British class system make him quiver.
But not everyone shares his revulsion at the drip, drip, drip of Britishisms - to use an American term - crossing the Atlantic.
"I enjoy seeing them," says Ben Yagoda, professor of English at the University of Delaware, and author of the forthcoming book, How to Not Write Bad.
"It's like a birdwatcher. If I find an American saying one, it makes my day!"
Last year Yagoda set up a blog dedicated to spotting the use of British terms in American English.
So far he has found more than 150 - from cheeky to chat-up via sell-by date, and the long game - an expression which appears to date back to 1856, and comes not from golf or chess, but the card game whist. President Barack Obama has used it in at least one speech.
Yagoda notices changes in pronunciation too - for example his students sometimes use "that sort of London glottal stop", dropping the T in words like "important" or "Manhattan".
Ginger (red hair)
The use of ginger in the US to describe red hair took off with publication of the first Harry Potter book in 1998, says Kory Stamper of Merriam-Webster. Unlike in the UK, there is no anti-ginger prejudice in the US, she says - Americans think of warm, comforting things like gingerbread.
Sell-by date (expiration)
Americans use "expiration date" for the British sell-by date - the date by which supermarket food must be sold. But sell-by date is increasingly used in the US in a figurative sense. Eg "That idea is well past its sell-by date."
Go missing (disappear)
This came to the fore in the US when intern Chandra Levy "disappeared", says Ben Yagoda. Go missing was widely used, he says, because it felt more nuanced. In his view, British terms can "really serve a purpose" when there is no exact equivalent in American English.
Chat up (hit on)
The use of chat up to refer to flirtatious conversation really began to take off in the 1990s, says Kory Stamper. Often you can't pinpoint why a word or phrase gets picked up, she says. Chat up is a good example of a Britishism that has "snuck in on cat's feet".
Kory Stamper, Associate Editor for Merriam-Webster, whose dictionaries are used by many American publishers and news organisations, agrees that more and more British words are entering the American vocabulary.
Stamper is one of the powerful few who get to choose which words are included in the dictionary, as well as writing their definitions.
One new entrant into the Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2012 was gastropub (a gentrified pub serving good food), which was first used, according to Kory Stamper, in London's Evening Standard newspaper in 1996, and was first registered on American shores in 2000.
"The British pub is a very different critter from an American bar," she says, but bars with good beer and food are springing up in many cities in the US, and the British term is sometimes used to describe them.
Twee (excessively dainty or cute) is another "word of the moment", says Stamper, as is metrosexual (a well-groomed and fashion-conscious heterosexual man) which "took off like wildfire", after it was used in the American TV series Queer Eye. There was even a backlash against it - a sure sign, she says, that the word had "absolutely made its way into the American vernacular".
There has also been "a huge up-tick", says Stamper, in the use of ginger as a way of describing someone with red hair.
She sees this as clearly tied to the publication in the US of the first Harry Potter book. Dozens of words and phrases were changed for the American market, but ginger slipped through, as did snog (meaning "to kiss amorously") - though that has not proved so popular.
We are not seeing a radical change to the American language, says Jesse Sheidlower, American editor at large of the Oxford English Dictionary - rather a "very small, but noticeable" trend.
Bill Kretzschmar, professor of English at the University of Georgia, makes a similar point - that while the spike in use of some British terms may look dramatic, it is often because they are rising from a very low base. Most are used "very infrequently", he says.
And it is not so much the masses who use these terms, says Geoffrey Nunberg, as the educated elite. Journalists and other media types, like advertising agencies, are the worst offenders, in his view.
"The words trickle down rather than trickle up," he says.
"It sounds trendy - another borrowing we could use without - to use a British term. It just sounds kind of Transatlantic."
But the line between trendy and plain pretentious is a fine one, says Sheidlower.
Anyone who says bespoke - as Americans sometimes do when referring to a custom-made suit or a bicycle - is just "showing off".
But some British terms can be useful, says Sheidlower, and fill in a gap where there is no direct equivalent in American English - he cites one-off (something which is done, or made, or which happens only once) as an example.
To go missing is another useful term, says Ben Yagoda, as it is more nuanced, conveying a greater sense of uncertainty than the standard "to disappear". Its use climbed significantly in 2001, with the high-profile case of the missing intern Chandra Levy.
British TV shows like Top Gear, Dr Who, and Downton Abbey may be another reason more British words are slipping in, says Yagoda, as well as the popularity (and easy access via the internet) of British news sources, such as The Guardian, The Economist, The Daily Mail - and the BBC.
Yagoda also points to a number of British journalists who have risen to influential positions in the US, including Tina Brown - who has worked as editor of Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, The Daily Beast, and Newsweek - and Anna Wintour, editor in chief of American Vogue.
"English for everybody is becoming more international, every day that passes," says Bill Kretzschmar who is also editor in chief of the Linguistics Atlas Project, which tracks spoken English.
The use of university, rather than college or school, for example, may well be used by Americans to make sure they are understood outside the country.
The same thing might be influencing a trend that Yagoda has spotted for Americans to use the day, month, year format for dates - 26/9/12 rather than 9/26/12.
There is not so much an "on and off switch" between versions of English, says Kretzschmar, but more of a continuum - with the same words in existence in different places, but just used at different frequencies.
Some words, often the more formal ones, were once common on both sides of the Atlantic, but dropped out of American English usage while remaining popular in Britain, says Yagoda - amongst (instead of among), trousers (instead of pants), and fortnight (two weeks) are examples.
And some words which Brits regard as typically American - including "candy", "the fall", and "diaper" - were originally British, but dropped out of usage in Britain between about 1850 and the early 1900s, says Kory Stamper.
"America has always welcomed words from all over," she says.
"If it doesn't look conspicuously foreign, I don't think anyone questions - it's just English at that point."
The word gormless (the best American equivalent is probably "clueless") is on the rise in the US, for example, says Stamper, but no-one thinks of it as a British word. For some reason it sounds Southern to many American ears.
There would have been no difference between British and American English when the founding fathers first crossed the Atlantic. It took time for the two to go their separate ways - a process given a jolt by Noah Webster, who published the first dictionary of American English in 1806, 30 years after the Declaration of Independence.
Webster introduced the distinctive American spellings of words like "honour" (honor), "colour" (color), "defence" (defense), and "centre" (center), as well as including specifically American words like "skunk" and "chowder".
"He wanted very much for this budding new nation to have its own language," says Kory Stamper, whose Merriam-Webster dictionary is the modern-day version of Webster's work.
"If [we were] not British, but American, we needed to have an American language as well."
These days, the "balance of payments" language-wise is very much skewed the other way - with Americanisms used far more in Britain than the other way round, says Nunberg.
And though a few people do take umbrage at the use of British words in American English, they are in the minority, says Sheidlower.
"In the UK, the use of Americanisms is seen as a sign that culture is going to hell."
"But Americans think all British people are posh, so - aside from things that are fairly pretentious - no-one would mind."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19670686 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19670686)
Whelp, there goes using "sell-by date" from now on. Sod it all, what what.
And you can "chat up" something without hitting on people, dammit.
QuoteThe same thing might be influencing a trend that Yagoda has spotted for Americans to use the day, month, year format for dates - 26/9/12 rather than 9/26/12.
Oh, now that's bullshit right fucking there. We don't do metric, and we don't do fruity ass European calendar shit. That shit stops now.
It amuses me when Americans say rubbish or bollocks.
That's right proper bullshit as well.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 27, 2012, 06:54:08 AM
Whelp, there goes using "sell-by date" from now on. Sod it all, what what.
And you can "chat up" something without hitting on people, dammit.
QuoteThe same thing might be influencing a trend that Yagoda has spotted for Americans to use the day, month, year format for dates - 26/9/12 rather than 9/26/12.
Oh, now that's bullshit right fucking there. We don't do metric, and we don't do fruity ass European calendar shit. That shit stops now.
Of course not, because that starts with the Year. Y/M/D
Quote from: Grey Fox on September 27, 2012, 07:02:56 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 27, 2012, 06:54:08 AM
QuoteThe same thing might be influencing a trend that Yagoda has spotted for Americans to use the day, month, year format for dates - 26/9/12 rather than 9/26/12.
Oh, now that's bullshit right fucking there. We don't do metric, and we don't do fruity ass European calendar shit. That shit stops now.
Of course not, because that starts with the Year. Y/M/D
Whatever, all that shit if fucked up too. Is it Thursday?
Yes. Football day.
I don't really see/here most of these besides maybe "will do". And I really only put that in emails so people know I'm on it and stop hassling me. :D
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 27, 2012, 06:54:08 AM
Whelp, there goes using "sell-by date" from now on.
Sell-by dates have existed in US English for as long as food has been date-labelled, insofar as I know. They are not the same as expiration dates at all, which as far as I know have never been used in place of sell-by dates.
An expiration date is the date after which a product (like a medicine) is no longer considered effective. A sell-by date is the date after which a store can't have a perishable (usually food) item on the shelf.
I don't have a problem with the other Britishisms, though I don't much encounter them.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 27, 2012, 06:54:08 AM
Oh, now that's bullshit right fucking there. We don't do metric, and we don't do fruity ass European calendar shit. That shit stops now.
Somehow it seems more logical to me to do day-month-year so my brain is always badly confused by dates, especially as you start to see both forms these days. I just write them as '25 July 2012' or whatever.
America hating the letter U and forgetting to put the s on maths and all that sort of thing is no big deal.
American dates though really are annoying and illogical.
Quote from: Valmy on September 27, 2012, 08:30:50 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 27, 2012, 06:54:08 AM
Oh, now that's bullshit right fucking there. We don't do metric, and we don't do fruity ass European calendar shit. That shit stops now.
Somehow it seems more logical to me to do day-month-year so my brain is always badly confused by dates, especially as you start to see both forms these days. I just write them as '25 July 2012' or whatever.
Commie sympathizer. :angry:
American dates gave my wife a big favour back in the day. When she was young she spent a summer waiting at tables at a resort in Wisconsin, she then spent a few weeks roaming about the US before returning for her University term. She was too young to drink but got served everywhere anyway, she was born on the 6th of October but the Americans read that as June the 10th.........top-hole...ey, what?!
I'm picking up Scottishisms from my colleague. Like "wee" for small or little.
As in: "A wee bit, aye."
:blush:
I don't really see what the big concern is. It is the nature of English speakers to coopt as many words and phrases from other languages/dialects/regionalisms as possible.
Quote from: Valmy on September 27, 2012, 09:03:12 AM
I don't really see what the big concern is. It is the nature of English speakers to coopt as many words and phrases from other languages/dialects/regionalisms as possible.
I don't think there's concern, but it's interesting to see.
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 27, 2012, 09:12:55 AM
I don't think there's concern, but it's interesting to see.
Eh it is a result of all these British movies and actors we get over here. Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones (even though an American wrote it...sigh) as well as non-nerdy more mainstream stuff I know little about were going to leave some sort of cultural impact.
Quote from: Valmy on September 27, 2012, 09:15:17 AM
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 27, 2012, 09:12:55 AM
I don't think there's concern, but it's interesting to see.
Eh it is a result of all these British movies and actors we get over here. Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones (even though an American wrote it...sigh) as well as non-nerdy more mainstream stuff I know little about were going to leave some sort of cultural impact.
Yeah here's articles with the opposite that also happens for the same reasons:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/14130942
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14201796
Though again, all of it seems to be people whinging. :D
One of my best friends-- the one that's married to the Indian-Brit-- likes to slip Britishisms into conversations with me, as if it were going to confuse me somehow. I think he's begging me to ask what each expression means so he can demonstrate his worldliness.
I've flat-out told him to knock it off because I've been watching Monty Python and other Brit TV shows for most of my life and I've known all those expressions longer than he has. I'm going to see that jackass this weekend.
Quote from: derspiess on September 27, 2012, 09:36:41 AM
One of my best friends-- the one that's married to the Indian-Brit-- likes to slip Britishisms into conversations with me, as if it were going to confuse me somehow. I think he's begging me to ask what each expression means so he can demonstrate his worldliness.
I've flat-out told him to knock it off because I've been watching Monty Python and other Brit TV shows for most of my life and I've known all those expressions longer than he has. I'm going to see that jackass this weekend.
Ask for tech support.
I don't really understand, if D already knows them - then it should be trivially easy to negotiate the conversation with his buddy - leaving no need to ask him to knock it off.
I like to think I make some Americans use more Swedish words and phrases.
The only Swedish I ever picked up from popular culture is "bork bork bork".
Quote from: garbon on September 27, 2012, 10:17:00 AM
I don't really understand, if D already knows them - then it should be trivially easy to negotiate the conversation with his buddy - leaving no need to ask him to knock it off.
You don't know this guy. He makes gratuitous use of Brit words & phrases, trying to talk over my head, so to speak. Even if that weren't necessarily the case, they sound a bit off in his slight Appalachian accent. That's annoying in & of itself.
But he's a great guy & all. We all have our quirks.
Quote
And some words which Brits regard as typically American - including "candy", "the fall", and "diaper" - were originally British, but dropped out of usage in Britain between about 1850 and the early 1900s, says Kory Stamper.
Ha! Told you! :P
Anyway, this is always worth repeating:
Quote from: Robert A Heinlein
English is the largest of human tongues, with several times the vocabulary of the second largest language -- this alone made it inevitable that English would eventually become, as it did, the lingua franca of this planet, for it is thereby the richest and most flexible -- despite its barbaric accretions . . . or, I should say, because of its barbaric accretions. English swallows up anything that comes its way, makes English out of it.
No sane person believes English became the lingua franca because of its vocabulary, structure or similar.
And we have the bloody Danes to thank for it.
Oh shit I just said 'bloody'.
Quote from: The Brain on September 27, 2012, 11:13:33 AM
No sane person believes English became the lingua franca because of its vocabulary, structure or similar.
It is because of the superior intellect and good looks of English speakers obviously.
Quote from: The Brain on September 27, 2012, 10:44:00 AM
I like to think I make some Americans use more Swedish words and phrases.
You people already have a foothold in the upper midwest. Pity we don't really have any posters there for you to expand the influence.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on September 27, 2012, 11:04:27 AM
Quote
And some words which Brits regard as typically American - including "candy", "the fall", and "diaper" - were originally British, but dropped out of usage in Britain between about 1850 and the early 1900s, says Kory Stamper.
Ha! Told you! :P
Anyway, this is always worth repeating:
Quote from: Robert A Heinlein
English is the largest of human tongues, with several times the vocabulary of the second largest language -- this alone made it inevitable that English would eventually become, as it did, the lingua franca of this planet, for it is thereby the richest and most flexible -- despite its barbaric accretions . . . or, I should say, because of its barbaric accretions. English swallows up anything that comes its way, makes English out of it.
Or more succinctly, this old quote:
Quote"English: A language that lurks in dark alleys, beats up other languages and rifles through their pockets for spare vocabulary."
English is ream, other languages is just well jell innit
Totes amazeballs!
This article smells like the usual brit media story on America. It is either:
THEY DON'T ACT LIKE US. HOW STRANGE!
or
THEY LIKE US!
Quote
And some words which Brits regard as typically American - including "candy", "the fall", and "diaper" - were originally British, but dropped out of usage in Britain between about 1850 and the early 1900s, says Kory Stamper.
Soccer is a similar example of this.
Really rather amusing how it began as a very upper class English word for the game but is now regarded as a very low class Americanism.
Quote from: Ed Anger on September 27, 2012, 04:46:59 PM
This article smells like the usual brit media story on America. It is either:
THEY DON'T ACT LIKE US. HOW STRANGE!
or
THEY LIKE US!
You forgot "How strange" on the second one.
There is little doubt Americans love the British far more than the British love themselves.
And you guys should really heed to words of Oscar Wilde.
Quote from: Valmy on September 27, 2012, 08:31:12 PM
There is little doubt Americans love the British far more than the British love themselves.
And you guys should really heed to words of Oscar Wilde.
"I always pass on good advice. It is the only thing to do with it. It is never of any use to oneself."
?
Reader feedback on the original story:
30 of your Britishisms used by Americans
Autumn, n. The season between summer and winter. "'Autumn' is being used a lot more now instead of 'fall'." Alan, New York, US
Bloody, adj. and adv. An intensifier: absolute, downright, utter. Sometimes in a negative sense. "There have been several instances where I've heard the term 'bloody' in regular conversation. I understand the urge to say it in certain situations, but I react with a jolt when I hear it. It just seems so... indecent. The use of 'bloody', in my view, is iconically British. When Americans try to use it, I think they're trying to sound like Michael Caine. I feel it's a deliberate contrivance to associate themselves with some perceived prestige in sounding British. Some Americans think that by saying 'bloody' everybody will assume that they have four more IQ points than everyone else. It's understandable. And completely true." Marshall McCorcle, Dallas, Texas, US
Bum, n. The buttocks or posteriors (slang). "I have seen an increasing use of 'bum' for a person's backside here, both from local friends and from Americans on the web. While I am still perfectly fine with sitting on my butt, everyone else is getting all fancy talking about their bums." Jim Boyd, Des Moines, Iowa, US
Chav, n. Pejorative term to express young person who displays loutish behaviour, sometimes with connotations of low social status. "The word 'chav' is starting to catch on in the US, thanks to YouTube videos. I overheard someone say, 'Nah I'm not buying those sneakers man, they are so chavvy' at a sports retailer." Jeff Bagshaw, US
"Chav is becoming rather noticeable as a few Americans understand that not 'all British people are posh'. Boston/Cambridge is rife with international college students, so it may just be a blip, but I've heard it in a suburban grocery store in reference to some hooligans outside the store." Elaine Ashton, Lexington, Massachusetts, US
Cheeky, adj. Insolent or audacious in address; coolly impudent or presuming. "I have loved using the word cheeky for about 10 years now." Daniel Greene, Phoenix, Arizona, US
"Sometimes the British expression just says it better. I particularly like 'cheeky monkey'." G Griffin, Wethersfield, Connecticut, US
Cheers, sentence substitute. A drinking toast, goodbye, or thanks. "I am hearing people say goodbye to each other with the British 'cheers'. Since I have always had a fondness for the Brits and things British, I enjoy hearing it instead of the worn out 'later' or 'see ya later'. Like it or not, the Yanks and the Brits are cousins, and that's that. Cheers!" Paul Phillips, Marblehead, US
"Use of the word 'cheers' in place of 'thank you' is on the rise, perhaps among young people who have spent time with British people." Roddy McCalley, Joshua Tree, California, US
Fancy, v. With reference to fondness or liking. "Our US friends really enjoyed fancied, as in 'she fancied him', and an item, as in 'are you two an item?'." David Fryer, Muscat, Oman
"Fancy, as in I really fancy a pint." Paul W, New York City, US
Flat, n. An apartment on one floor of a building. "Just as British people are increasingly calling (particularly posh) flats 'apartments', my American friends report that property developers are now selling 'flats' in order to make them sound grander than they are." Beth, London
Frock, n. A girl's or woman's dress. "Until very recently, 'frock' only appeared in North America in British books. I first read it in the Narnia series. No-one ever said it, and no-one ever used it in print. No-one outside of readers of British literature would even have known what it meant. Now I see it in print media about fashion all the time. This just started happening in perhaps the past five years, certainly no more than 10 years." Lee Boal, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Gap year, n. A year's break taken by a student between leaving school and starting further education. "We didn't do gap years much until recently, so we didn't have our own term for it other than 'year off'. The point of language is to communicate. If a new word or term fills a - sorry - gap, then it doesn't matter where it's from." Alden O'Brien, Washington DC, US
Gobsmacked, adj. flabbergasted: struck dumb with awe or amazement. "I left the UK for the US more than 40 years ago. I first heard the word 'gobsmacked' about 10 years ago while visiting the UK. Perhaps because of the popularity of the programme Top Gear in the US, I now hear this used in the US." Duncan Connall, Rhode Island, US
"I heard President Obama use the word 'gobsmacked'. How's that for a Britishism?" Stuart Hamilton, North Vancouver, Canada
Holiday, n. A period in which a break is taken from work or studies for rest, travel, or recreation. "As a child I read Enid Blyton, and as an adult I was pleased to notice, at least in advertising, the use of the word 'holiday' to replace the less preferable, in my opinion, 'vacation'." Vicki Siska, Fort Collins, Colorado, US
Innit, adv. A contraction of isn't it? Used to invite agreement with a statement. "I can't stop saying 'innit' - it's the perfect sort of ('sort of' in this usage is also a popular Britishism) ending to an informal declarative statement." Carolyn, Las Vegas, US
Kit, n. A collection of personal effects or necessities. "I've noticed the adoption of the British term 'kit' for what athletes wear, in the place of what we Americans would generally call a 'uniform' or 'gear'. I notice it among those who follow tennis closely. People will refer to a player's 'kit', which often changes several times a year depending on the surface." Ana Mitric, Richmond, Virginia, US
Knickers, n. An undergarment for women covering the lower trunk and sometimes the thighs and having separate legs or leg-holes. "My American friend just recently said 'I got my knickers in quite a twist'. I was amazed she didn't say 'panties'." Nadine, Seattle, Washington, US
Loo, n. An informal word for lavatory. "Many of my friends now call the restroom 'the loo', although they haven't converted to saying 'loo-roll' - it's still toilet paper. Funny, since most of us won't say 'toilet' for the American 'bathroom'." Heather Revanna, Colorado, US
Mate, n. A friend, usually of the same sex: often used between males in direct address. "It seems that Yanks enjoy English swear words but I don't believe British people are using typical Americanisms. I've never heard a Englishman say 'dude' but I am hearing Americans say 'mate'. I also don't believe British people are so overtly conscious of foreign influence as much as Americans care to be, especially in the Midwest." Paul Knight-Kirby, Rockford, Illinois, US
Mobile, n. Short for mobile phone; a portable telephone that works by means of a cellular radio system ('cellphone' or 'cell' in standard American English). "I think the use of 'mobile' is a consequence of more international travel and wanting to be understood. I use mobile while elsewhere and it is creeping into my US-based language as well." Stuart Friedman, Middlesex, Vermont, US
Muppet, n. A stupid person; from the name for the puppets used in the TV programme The Muppet Show. "I am a Brit living in Idaho. One of the biggest Britishisms I see, and have helped perpetuate, is the term 'muppets' to refer to brainless individuals. I love this term as it conjures images of the loveable Muppets but in reference to a person it definitely conveys a lack of intelligence or substandard education. In this state there are plenty of 'muppets'." George Hemmings, Idaho, US
Numpty, n. A stupid person. "I have heard 'numpty' many times in the last few years. I get the impression that our American interpretation is more good-natured than it might be in the UK. It's used when calling a friend a numpty when he does or says something silly. Perhaps this is because there is a 'cuteness' to the pronunciation of the word." Jeffrey Timmons, Mayville, Wisconsin, US
Pop over, v. Come by for a visit. "Recently, I've heard the phrase 'pop over' used by several different people. ('Why don't I just pop over and pick them up?')." Susan Moore, Indio, California, US
Proper, adj. Appropriate or suited for some purpose. "I picked up the British use of 'proper' (as in 'a proper breakfast') while completing graduate work at Oxford in the mid-2000s. I hadn't realised just how prevalent it was in my own speech until a coworker asked me this year if it was a North Dakota thing, as that is the state where I grew up. It's definitely not a North Dakota thing." Jacquelyn Bengfort, Washington, DC, US
Queue, n. and v. A line of people, vehicles, etc, waiting for something. "In the 'queue'. More online forms and automated voice responses to banking transactions say 'queue' instead of 'line'. I'm guessing that it makes more sense to use it because people aren't actually standing in a line if they're on the phone." Guy Hait, Chesterfield, Michigan, US
"When I was in New York and waiting with an American friend to get into a bar, I called it a queue. She told me that in the US it was called a line. However, she commented that 'queue' was becoming more common because of the use of the term 'printer queue' in computing." David, Worcester
Roundabout, n. A road junction in which traffic streams circulate around a central island. "'Roundabout' is the official word used to describe the traffic circle that was recently completed in our rather small city. Many feel that this sounds pretentious. I am originally from California where we used the term 'traffic circle'." Beth, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, US
Row, n. and v. A noisy or violent argument, a quarrel with someone. "My husband and I often use the word 'row', most likely because we've heard it so often on public television. We think of it as a very common word among the Brits (like 'bloody') and we both assumed that most other people would recognise both the word and its meaning. Recently, my husband (who is very Southern and not bookish at all) used 'row' in a conversation with a buddy, only to learn that the friend had never even heard the word. We were astonished." Catherine Graves, Georgia, US
Shag, v. To copulate with. "You guys missed the best one. 'Shag' is such a brilliant word and Brits cringe because of the vulgarity of it, while Americans don't realise exactly how rude it is and run around saying it like a toddler repeating Daddy's accidental swear word slip. I love it when you guys cringe over us picking up your words." Leona, Oxford
"Thanks to Austin Powers, many Americans are familiar with the word 'shag', but don't seem to realise how truly coarse it is. It's used in polite society, and used to shock me, but now I accept the fact that usage differs in UK/US." Linda Michelini, Port Orange, Florida, US
Skint, adj. Penniless, broke. "To hear terms like 'skint' for being broke, 'agony aunt' for opinion columnists, or 'yobbo' for upstart children has surprised me. Such words would never have been heard in this part of the world until only two or three years ago. There are only minor UK and Irish ex-pat communities over here, so to have this sudden and growing use of Britishisms is a linguist's delight." Anthony Hughes, Omaha, US
Sussed, v. To work or figure out; to investigate, to discover the truth about (a person or thing). "My favourite Britishism has to be 'sussed' - 'I finally sussed out what he was talking about', 'leave them alone, they'll suss it out on their own'. I use it a lot and I always seem to have to explain it to people, then a few days on, I'll hear them using it and explaining it. It's a word/phrase that gets used often in my close circle of friends now." Bonnie Lee, Portland, Oregon, US
Twit, n. A fool; a stupid or ineffectual person. "It seems to me the word 'twit' - a Britishism heard on Monty Python - is being used more frequently here in the US." Rachel Newstead, Appleton, Wisconsin, US
Wonky, adj. Shaky or unsteady. "Some Britishisms that I have used include 'wonky', 'bung', and 'snarky'. They're fun, innit? It's hard for me to notice hearing these words in the US, because I talk to so many Brits online, so they sound normal now." Anne E, Pittsburgh, US
I almost never hear anyone use those.
Quote from: Brazen on October 17, 2012, 07:19:58 AM
Mobile, n. Short for mobile phone; a portable telephone that works by means of a cellular radio system ('cellphone' or 'cell' in standard American English). "I think the use of 'mobile' is a consequence of more international travel and wanting to be understood. I use mobile while elsewhere and it is creeping into my US-based language as well." Stuart Friedman, Middlesex, Vermont, US
Maybe it's a generational thing for those who were around when they debuted, but I recall them being "mobile phones" before they were "cell phones", and sometimes still referred to as "mobiles" as opposed to "cells".
And "mobile" has sometimes been used as a verb, but I think it's just restricted to copspeak.
Quote from: Grey Fox on October 17, 2012, 07:28:43 AM
Quote from: garbon on October 17, 2012, 07:22:39 AM
I'm almost never hear anyone use those.
Cheers!
Thanks.
I'd guess autumn and pop over are the only ones I'd typically hear in a year.
Quote from: garbon on October 17, 2012, 07:22:39 AM
I almost never hear anyone use those.
:huh:
Really? I'd say that I hear probably half of them somewhat regularly. But then, I live in a fairly international place for as small as it is with a high concentration of British-English speakers from India and China, so it makes sense that these would seep in here a bit more than the average.
Plus, most of my friends are huge Anglo-philes so they're more likely to adopt these kinds of things more so than the average person, too. :D
Quote from: Brazen on October 17, 2012, 07:19:58 AM
Autumn, n. The season between summer and winter. "'Autumn' is being used a lot more now instead of 'fall'." Alan, New York, US
So the Oakland Raiders are British eh? That explains their hooligan fans.
Quote from: merithyn on October 17, 2012, 09:04:36 AM
:huh:
Really? I'd say that I hear probably half of them somewhat regularly. But then, I live in a fairly international place for as small as it is with a high concentration of British-English speakers from India and China, so it makes sense that these would seep in here a bit more than the average.
Plus, most of my friends are huge Anglo-philes so they're more likely to adopt these kinds of things more so than the average person, too. :D
You need to adopt some Welsh slang. My favourite is "daps" for trainers/sneakers, or "dwt" for a small, insignificant thing.
http://talktidy.com/a.html (http://talktidy.com/a.html)
Quote from: Brazen on October 17, 2012, 09:23:37 AM
"dwt" for a small, insignificant thing.
A word with no vowels? Teh Horrah.
Quote from: merithyn on October 17, 2012, 09:04:36 AM
:huh:
Really? I'd say that I hear probably half of them somewhat regularly. But then, I live in a fairly international place for as small as it is with a high concentration of British-English speakers from India and China, so it makes sense that these would seep in here a bit more than the average.
Plus, most of my friends are huge Anglo-philes so they're more likely to adopt these kinds of things more so than the average person, too. :D
I know most of them as I've run into a lot of British people in New York but no on a typical basis I don't know many people who affect these wordings. I'd probably punch most people if they tried these in casual conversation with me.
I still don't see it.
Quote from: Brazen on October 17, 2012, 09:23:37 AM
You need to adopt some Welsh slang. My favourite is "daps" for trainers/sneakers, or "dwt" for a small, insignificant thing.
http://talktidy.com/a.html (http://talktidy.com/a.html)
That link is awesome!!
Have I mentioned before that I've tried to learn Welsh? I love the language, but there's little doubt that I'd have to move to Northern Wales to ever have a chance at learning it properly.
Quote from: Valmy on October 17, 2012, 09:25:56 AM
A word with no vowels? Teh Horrah.
:glare:
"W" is a vowel in Welsh, as is "y". :contract:
There is a reason those people got conquered by the English. They had a language designed to defeat literacy.
Quote from: Brazen on October 17, 2012, 09:23:37 AM
You need to adopt some Welsh slang. My favourite is "daps" for trainers/sneakers, or "dwt" for a small, insignificant thing.
http://talktidy.com/a.html (http://talktidy.com/a.html)
Okay, this is hilarious. You know that my great-grandfather came over to the US from Wales in the 1880s, right? Well, a lot of the Welsh-isms are still used regularly by my dad's family. Things like "as soon as look at you", "I'm from away like", and "He's a bit of a Mary Jane" among a lot of others. I don't know if that's because my family line comes from Wales not that long ago, or if it's because there were a LOT of Welsh immigrants that settled in Des Moines, but I find it kind of interesting that they carry on.
Quote from: merithyn on October 17, 2012, 11:03:49 AM
Quote from: Brazen on October 17, 2012, 09:23:37 AM
You need to adopt some Welsh slang. My favourite is "daps" for trainers/sneakers, or "dwt" for a small, insignificant thing.
http://talktidy.com/a.html (http://talktidy.com/a.html)
Okay, this is hilarious. You know that my great-grandfather came over to the US from Wales in the 1880s, right? Well, a lot of the Welsh-isms are still used regularly by my dad's family. Things like "as soon as look at you", "I'm from away like", and "He's a bit of a Mary Jane" among a lot of others. I don't know if that's because my family line comes from Wales not that long ago, or if it's because there were a LOT of Welsh immigrants that settled in Des Moines, but I find it kind of interesting that they carry on.
Not be negative (:P) but a decent amount seem like common phrasings. Just looking at phrases and not single words - here's a random collection where I think the usage they give fits in how I'd typically see people use these.
I could eat him
In a minute
Into everything
Pulled to pieces
Most probably
Off Sick
How's it looking?
Early days yet
Can't abide/Can't stomach
Quote from: garbon on October 17, 2012, 11:15:30 AM
Quote from: merithyn on October 17, 2012, 11:03:49 AM
Quote from: Brazen on October 17, 2012, 09:23:37 AM
You need to adopt some Welsh slang. My favourite is "daps" for trainers/sneakers, or "dwt" for a small, insignificant thing.
http://talktidy.com/a.html (http://talktidy.com/a.html)
Okay, this is hilarious. You know that my great-grandfather came over to the US from Wales in the 1880s, right? Well, a lot of the Welsh-isms are still used regularly by my dad's family. Things like "as soon as look at you", "I'm from away like", and "He's a bit of a Mary Jane" among a lot of others. I don't know if that's because my family line comes from Wales not that long ago, or if it's because there were a LOT of Welsh immigrants that settled in Des Moines, but I find it kind of interesting that they carry on.
Not be negative (:P) but a decent amount seem like common phrasings. Just looking at phrases and not single words - here's a random collection where I think the usage they give fits in how I'd typically see people use these.
I could eat him
In a minute
Into everything
Pulled to pieces
Most probably
Off Sick
How's it looking?
Early days yet
Can't abide/Can't stomach
I wasn't sure how much was "normal" for Des Moines, and how much as known/used elsewhere. Still, some of them are obviously a bit odd. I've wondered where the hell the phrases came from, and now I at least have an idea of where they may have come from.
Quote from: merithyn on October 17, 2012, 11:35:56 AM
I wasn't sure how much was "normal" for Des Moines, and how much as known/used elsewhere. Still, some of them are obviously a bit odd. I've wondered where the hell the phrases came from, and now I at least have an idea of where they may have come from.
Well on the flipside, the one's you cited strike me as strange. I'm just curious if the ones I listed actually come from Wales as they seem pretty typical to me.
I don't see how "autumn" or "cheers" are Britishisms. And "twit" has certainly been used as an insult for a long time--at least since Monty Python started being shown in America. Most of the rest I don't hardly ever hear from others Americans.
Quote from: dps on October 17, 2012, 12:03:16 PM
I don't see how "autumn" or "cheers" are Britishisms. And "twit" has certainly been used as an insult for a long time--at least since Monty Python started being shown in America. Most of the rest I don't hardly ever hear from others Americans.
I hear them all the freaking time. But then my wife and her friends love Britishisms.
Quote from: garbon on October 17, 2012, 11:45:50 AM
Quote from: merithyn on October 17, 2012, 11:35:56 AM
I wasn't sure how much was "normal" for Des Moines, and how much as known/used elsewhere. Still, some of them are obviously a bit odd. I've wondered where the hell the phrases came from, and now I at least have an idea of where they may have come from.
Well on the flipside, the one's you cited strike me as strange. I'm just curious if the ones I listed actually come from Wales as they seem pretty typical to me.
Maybe it came from Wales a while ago?
Quote from: Jacob on October 17, 2012, 12:25:16 PM
Quote from: garbon on October 17, 2012, 11:45:50 AM
Quote from: merithyn on October 17, 2012, 11:35:56 AM
I wasn't sure how much was "normal" for Des Moines, and how much as known/used elsewhere. Still, some of them are obviously a bit odd. I've wondered where the hell the phrases came from, and now I at least have an idea of where they may have come from.
Well on the flipside, the one's you cited strike me as strange. I'm just curious if the ones I listed actually come from Wales as they seem pretty typical to me.
Maybe it came from Wales a while ago?
Yeah maybe.
Quote from: Jacob on October 17, 2012, 12:25:16 PM
Maybe it came from Wales a while ago?
Pretty sure most Welsh came over in the 17th and 18th centuries for quite a while ago I would wager.
Quote from: dps on October 17, 2012, 12:03:16 PM
I don't see how "autumn" or "cheers" are Britishisms. And "twit" has certainly been used as an insult for a long time--at least since Monty Python started being shown in America. Most of the rest I don't hardly ever hear from others Americans.
Yeah, I think some of those have been in the country a long time. I think some were used in 19th century America and fell out of style, changed meaning, or only exists in a limited sense. For instance, "frock" existed in American English in the 19th century but typically as "frock-coat", and remains in the word "defrocked". And while Americans don't use the word "fancy" in the same way British do, they did and it survives in phrase "fancy that".
Quote from: Valmy on October 17, 2012, 12:32:22 PM
Quote from: Jacob on October 17, 2012, 12:25:16 PM
Maybe it came from Wales a while ago?
Pretty sure most Welsh came over in the 17th and 18th centuries for quite a while ago I would wager.
Hmm. I thought most came over in the late 1800s, much like the Irish. :hmm:
Quote from: merithyn on October 17, 2012, 01:22:56 PM
Hmm. I thought most came over in the late 1800s, much like the Irish. :hmm:
Why would there be a huge Welsh immigration in the late 1800s? There was no Welsh Potato famine.
There was some, of course but not like the Irish.
A large number came over during the Colonial Period. I seem to recall alot of Quakers were Welsh.
Edit: looking it up it does appear there was a bit of an uptick in the 19th century but mostly in the early part of it.
Quote from: Valmy on October 17, 2012, 01:45:49 PM
Why would there be a huge Welsh immigration in the late 1800s? There was no Welsh Potato famine.
There was some, of course but not like the Irish.
A large number came over during the Colonial Period. I seem to recall alot of Quakers were Welsh.
Edit: looking it up it does appear there was a bit of an uptick in the 19th century but mostly in the early part of it.
I was thinking that it was due to problems with the coal mines. That's why my family came over.
Some of it would also be the early and late 19th agricultural depressions.
Oh and I've now noticed I seem to use 'good grief' rather a lot, is that English or American English ?
Quote from: mongers on October 17, 2012, 02:05:44 PM
Some of it would also be the early and late 19th agricultural depressions.
Oh and I've now noticed I seem to use 'good grief' rather a lot, is that English or American English ?
I don't know but I know it is connected here with Charlie Brown.
IIRC there was a Welsh diaspora of sorts in the late 1800s. A bunch of them ended up in South America. There is a whole town in Argentina where everyone has a Welsh surname.
Quote from: derspiess on October 17, 2012, 02:26:44 PM
IIRC there was a Welsh diaspora of sorts in the late 1800s. A bunch of them ended up in South America. There is a whole town in Argentina where everyone has a Welsh surname.
Single surname towns are pretty common in the South.
Quote from: derspiess on October 17, 2012, 02:26:44 PM
IIRC there was a Welsh diaspora of sorts in the late 1800s. A bunch of them ended up in South America. There is a whole town in Argentina where everyone has a Welsh surname.
Which one? Jones or Williams? :P
Quote from: merithyn on October 17, 2012, 02:34:33 PM
Quote from: derspiess on October 17, 2012, 02:26:44 PM
IIRC there was a Welsh diaspora of sorts in the late 1800s. A bunch of them ended up in South America. There is a whole town in Argentina where everyone has a Welsh surname.
Which one? Jones or Williams? :P
Well my grandmother was a Williams from Wales, so that must been we're related, right ? :D
Quote from: mongers on October 17, 2012, 03:05:47 PM
Quote from: merithyn on October 17, 2012, 02:34:33 PM
Quote from: derspiess on October 17, 2012, 02:26:44 PM
IIRC there was a Welsh diaspora of sorts in the late 1800s. A bunch of them ended up in South America. There is a whole town in Argentina where everyone has a Welsh surname.
Which one? Jones or Williams? :P
Well my grandmother was a Williams from Wales, so that must been we're related, right ? :D
:w00t:
COUSIN!! :hug:
Meri, this is the place to go and get your Welsh pronunciation sorted http://www.nantgwrtheyrn.org/
Getting to the pub is a rather stiff 2-mile uphill walk though. I camped in that valley back in the 80s when the village was derelict apart from one house with an enthusiastic Welsh teacher and his single student in it :D
All I know about Wales is found in the fine old nursery rhyme about Taffy the Welshman. ;)
Quote from: garbon on October 17, 2012, 02:16:19 PM
Quote from: mongers on October 17, 2012, 02:05:44 PM
Some of it would also be the early and late 19th agricultural depressions.
Oh and I've now noticed I seem to use 'good grief' rather a lot, is that English or American English ?
I don't know but I know it is connected here with Charlie Brown.
The OED has it first recorded as appearing in 1900 in the English Dialect dictionary, though no indication from where.
No doubt you're right about Charlie brown's influence, but for me google has just shown me where I must have picked it up from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danger_Mouse_(TV_series) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danger_Mouse_(TV_series))
Quote
Danger Mouse (voiced by David Jason): The world's greatest secret agent......
Referred to as the "White Wonder" and "Wretched Rodent" by Baron Greenback. Catchphrases: "Good grief!", "Penfold, shush!", "Blast!"
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on October 17, 2012, 03:15:17 PM
Meri, this is the place to go and get your Welsh pronunciation sorted http://www.nantgwrtheyrn.org/
Getting to the pub is a rather stiff 2-mile uphill walk though. I camped in that valley back in the 80s when the village was derelict apart from one house with an enthusiastic Welsh teacher and his single student in it :D
:wub: :wub: :wub:
I can stay for six months without a Visa, right? :unsure:
You're gonna pay by check? Stupid American.
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on October 17, 2012, 03:15:17 PM
Meri, this is the place to go and get your Welsh pronunciation sorted http://www.nantgwrtheyrn.org/
Getting to the pub is a rather stiff 2-mile uphill walk though. I camped in that valley back in the 80s when the village was derelict apart from one house with an enthusiastic Welsh teacher and his single student in it :D
Good grief, that's an out of the way place, I used to live opposite the Llŷn Peninsula and it often looked a god forsaken place in most Welsh weather.
Quote from: merithyn on October 17, 2012, 03:28:02 PM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on October 17, 2012, 03:15:17 PM
Meri, this is the place to go and get your Welsh pronunciation sorted http://www.nantgwrtheyrn.org/
Getting to the pub is a rather stiff 2-mile uphill walk though. I camped in that valley back in the 80s when the village was derelict apart from one house with an enthusiastic Welsh teacher and his single student in it :D
:wub: :wub: :wub:
I can stay for six months without a Visa, right? :unsure:
Yes, but you mustn't work :bowler:
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on October 17, 2012, 03:32:16 PM
Quote from: merithyn on October 17, 2012, 03:28:02 PM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on October 17, 2012, 03:15:17 PM
Meri, this is the place to go and get your Welsh pronunciation sorted http://www.nantgwrtheyrn.org/
Getting to the pub is a rather stiff 2-mile uphill walk though. I camped in that valley back in the 80s when the village was derelict apart from one house with an enthusiastic Welsh teacher and his single student in it :D
:wub: :wub: :wub:
I can stay for six months without a Visa, right? :unsure:
Yes, but you mustn't work :bowler:
:wub: Okay. :wub:
Quote from: merithyn on October 17, 2012, 03:28:02 PM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on October 17, 2012, 03:15:17 PM
Meri, this is the place to go and get your Welsh pronunciation sorted http://www.nantgwrtheyrn.org/
Getting to the pub is a rather stiff 2-mile uphill walk though. I camped in that valley back in the 80s when the village was derelict apart from one house with an enthusiastic Welsh teacher and his single student in it :D
:wub: :wub: :wub:
I can stay for six months without a Visa, right? :unsure:
I think you'd go stir-crazy first. :(
Quote from: mongers on October 17, 2012, 03:31:20 PM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on October 17, 2012, 03:15:17 PM
Meri, this is the place to go and get your Welsh pronunciation sorted http://www.nantgwrtheyrn.org/
Getting to the pub is a rather stiff 2-mile uphill walk though. I camped in that valley back in the 80s when the village was derelict apart from one house with an enthusiastic Welsh teacher and his single student in it :D
Good grief, that's an out of the way place, I used to live opposite the Llŷn Peninsula and it often looked a god forsaken place in most Welsh weather.
There was a big storm while we were camping there, I was trapped in my tent for 48 hours with only a gorgeous 22-year old Japanese girl for company :o
We were tough in those days though and inured to hardship :cool:
Quote from: Malthus on October 17, 2012, 03:20:20 PM
All I know about Wales is found in the fine old nursery rhyme about Taffy the Welshman. ;)
Is there anything good about Wales? All I ever hear seems to be negative.
Quote from: derspiess on October 17, 2012, 03:40:28 PM
Quote from: Malthus on October 17, 2012, 03:20:20 PM
All I know about Wales is found in the fine old nursery rhyme about Taffy the Welshman. ;)
Is there anything good about Wales? All I ever hear seems to be negative.
Charles.
Quote from: derspiess on October 17, 2012, 03:40:28 PM
Quote from: Malthus on October 17, 2012, 03:20:20 PM
All I know about Wales is found in the fine old nursery rhyme about Taffy the Welshman. ;)
Is there anything good about Wales? All I ever hear seems to be negative.
The scenery is incredible. I only made it from England across the southern end through Cardiff and Swansea, but it was really gorgeous. We drove back to the north of Cardiff, and I absolutely fell in love with the place.
Plus, we spent half the day in Cardiff, and the people there were absolutely lovely. So gracious and kind, and not just because I'm an American, either. I was with a good friend who had lived in Wales for 15 years and "sounded" like one of them. They were just lovely people.
I'm only familiar with North Wales but find it a good place to visit. It's an area of attractive scenery, small towns and villages. A high percentage of the hotels and pubs are mildly eccentric and have not succumbed to corporate blandness. The weather is excellent of course, as it is throughout Britain.
In school I went to something on the Rhyl to Conwy bit and then back out to Chester (as well as visited a bit of Offa's Dyke). I guess it was pretty (very green) but it was also grey and rainy so nothing too exciting. Did see more sheep than I've ever seen in my life.
I went to Conwy!
http://garbose.blogspot.com/2007/01/wales-borderlands.html
QuoteAlthough you can't see it well, I found it odd that the local townspeople seem content to let boats rot away along the coast near the castle.
:D
There are some good castles as well, among the best in the world that is. King Edward I built some of the best ones to help secure the area.
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on October 17, 2012, 04:06:00 PM
There are some good castles as well, among the best in the world that is. King Edward I built some of the best ones to help secure the area.
"The best parts of our fine Welsh heritage are Offa's Dyke and the castles of Edward I - in short, things built by foreigners to keep the Welsh under control" :D
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on October 17, 2012, 03:37:59 PM
Quote from: mongers on October 17, 2012, 03:31:20 PM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on October 17, 2012, 03:15:17 PM
Meri, this is the place to go and get your Welsh pronunciation sorted http://www.nantgwrtheyrn.org/
Getting to the pub is a rather stiff 2-mile uphill walk though. I camped in that valley back in the 80s when the village was derelict apart from one house with an enthusiastic Welsh teacher and his single student in it :D
Good grief, that's an out of the way place, I used to live opposite the Llŷn Peninsula and it often looked a god forsaken place in most Welsh weather.
There was a big storm while we were camping there, I was trapped in my tent for 48 hours with only a gorgeous 22-year old Japanese girl for company :o
We were tough in those days though and inured to hardship :cool:
Yes you had it hard in those days. :D
Quote from: Malthus on October 17, 2012, 04:09:53 PM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on October 17, 2012, 04:06:00 PM
There are some good castles as well, among the best in the world that is. King Edward I built some of the best ones to help secure the area.
"The best parts of our fine Welsh heritage are Offa's Dyke and the castles of Edward I - in short, things built by foreigners to keep the Welsh under control" :D
Whoever said that was lying. Offa's Dyke is a long mound of dirt. :x
She's a bitch as well.
American use of chav angers me. Damn southerners stealing our words and using them wrong.