Americanisms...is it just me that finds them irritating?

Person_one

Quizzical_Squirrel wrote: »

I continually forget to use American words for things and it isn't a problem.

They're not stupid, we're not rare, they've heard all of our Britishisms before and they may smile but they usually know what we're talking about.

Um, ok, but sometimes they don't, I'm not making it up!

We've usually seen a lot more American TV and films than they have British, most have definitely never heard regional accents or dialect words unless they live in tourist areas.

jackieblack

Quizzical_Squirrel wrote: »

I continually forget to use American words for things and it isn't a problem.

They're not stupid, we're not rare, they've heard all of our Britishisms before and they may smile but they usually know what we're talking about.

It depends where in the US you go. In popular tourist destinations it isn't a problem. Off the beaten track, different story. We met several people on our last visit who'd never met English people before and some who weren't sure where it is!

claire16c

Yep most people I've met there have great difficulty in pronouncing my name. They say things like 'Clara?' Then when I went to New York & a shop assistant asked me my name in a changing room, I had to say it about 4 times & then she realised what I had said and said to her friends 'oh she's English, hear how she says her name, that is SO cute!!' So I think it's because they really pronounce the R.

My DH once asked a guy where the toilet was he said 'I'm sorry I don't know what that is.' So I always use American words there as it can get frustrating otherwise.

pollypenny

Anyhow, what's all this 'anyhoo' business ?

I've seen posters use it, as well as heard it on TV.

Arachne_2

Person_one wrote: »

Yep, and they don't know what 'rubbish' is either.

One of my favourites is 'burglarised', I cracked up when a friend used it, but he found 'burgled' far funnier.

Vive le difference I suppose.

"Burglarised" sounds so cumbersome when "burgled" will do! Mind you, I can imagine how "burgled" sounds to an American.

I was with an American bloke for about 3 years, I'm ashamed to say I picked up a few Americanisms myself. He picked up just as much Brit slang, though...mainly the naughty type

claire16c

Quizzical_Squirrel wrote: »

I continually forget to use American words for things and it isn't a problem.

They're not stupid, we're not rare, they've heard all of our Britishisms before and they may smile but they usually know what we're talking about.

My Dad knew an American who point blank refused to believe The Beatles weren't American. It's a very insular country. Most of them don't even have passports. I've been asked where London is before. Or are there black people in the UK etc

jackieblack

pollypenny wrote: »

Anyhow, what's all this 'anyhoo' business ?

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Anyhoo

alias*alibi

The funniest Americanism I can think of is a fanny pack! Obviously a bum bag over here.

I also hate candy for sweets and semi (for a HGV lorry). My mum married an American so I'm used to hearing all kinds of Americanisms.

Ooh another one my step dad uses a lot is having to go potty instead of toilet. !!!!!!?! You're a 70 year old and should had outgrown potties at least 67 years ago!

Abbafan1972

claire16c wrote: »

I always find it weird when I see people saying Mom on here. Since when did anyone in the UK call their Mum, 'Mom' ?

I am from the Midlands and I always use "Mom" instead of Mum. My Mom did the same with hers.

I hate it when people use American words such as:-
Stairwell
Sidewalk
Stroller
Cookies instead of biscuits
Auto instead of Car

And can't American people pronounce Aluminium? It's always Illuminum! :mad:

Hubby hates the word "Awesome".

Something that's not exclusively American but the European date format confuses me. For example today's date would be 06/18/13. But where the date is 12 or less it makes it confusing.

I read a lot of books and even UK published books use Apologize for example instead of Apologise.

Gloomendoom

daveyjp wrote: »

Reasearch will reveal the US use z because that's what was introduced from the UK. We have changed, not them.

A lot of American spellings are the original British spellings. Tire and aluminum are just two examples.