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

Tropez

The only "Americanism" I have an issue with is using "What's up?" or a variation thereof (especially "Sup?") as a greeting. I cannot quite work out what the appropriate response is to that question as it suggests that I am giving the impression that I am experiencing a problem or dilemma.

Other than that though, I really don't care. I've spent time in the US working and I deal with a number of American business colleagues and some clients and therefore I am quite used to American-style language and vocabulary. Providing I understand what is being communicated towards me it doesn't bother me.

I find myself irked far more by people who use "defiantly" when they mean "definitely", or those who use "literally" in the most ridiculous and inappropriate places such as when Jamie Redknapp made the rather bizarre claim that "In his youth, Michael Owen was literally a greyhound".

EDIT: Oh one other Americanism that I find somewhat bothersome is when people say they "could care less" when they clearly mean that they could not care less.

Gloomendoom

'Student' instead of 'pupil'.

My wife is chair of governors for the local school and she hears it used regularly by people who should really know better.

Arachne_2

"Stroller" is one of the worst for me - it's a PUSHCHAIR!! :rotfl:

Soubrette

Person_one wrote: »

I'm probably guilty of using a few Americanisms. I lived over there for a while and you have to adapt and start using them if you want to be understood and not just get a lot of funny looks when you ask where the bin is, or offer to do the hoovering.

I believe Americans know and use a lot more 'Britishisms' since the success of Harry Potter!

I asked for a cheese salad sandwich in a nice deli in Canada once, both the assistant and I just stared at each other until my husband rescued us and translated my need - a cheese sandwich with garden vegetables (:huh:????).

My daughter wanted sweetcorn on her pizza in another place (they really like to eat out) and the best they could do was a little pot on the side

Two people divided by a common language

Person_one

Tropez wrote: »

I find myself irked far more by people who use "defiantly" when they mean "definitely", or those who use "literally" in the most ridiculous and inappropriate places such as when Jamie Redknapp made the rather bizarre claim that "In his youth, Michael Owen was literally a greyhound".

Apparently one of the singers on The Voice literally set the stage on fire last weekend, no arson charges in the news though...

Soubrette

Tropez wrote: »

The only "Americanism" I have an issue with is using "What's up?" or a variation thereof (especially "Sup?") as a greeting. I cannot quite work out what the appropriate response is to that question as it suggests that I am giving the impression that I am experiencing a problem or dilemma.

My OH has exactly the same problem with the nod and 'right' that seems to be the method of greeting in this area. I've told him that you just nod and say 'right' back but he says that feels all wrong. Perhaps I should tell him to respond with a nod and a 'sup'

daisiegg

Gloomendoom wrote: »

'Student' instead of 'pupil'.

My wife is chair of governors for the local school and she hears it used regularly by people who should really know better.

I am a teacher and we are TOLD to refer to those we teach as students rather than pupils! I don't know if it is felt that 'pupil' is belittling? Or that 'student' is a constant reminder of the fact that they are there to STUDY? No idea, but it is what we are told - I wasn't aware it was particularly an Americanism.

daisiegg

Tropez wrote: »

EDIT: Oh one other Americanism that I find somewhat bothersome is when people say they "could care less" when they clearly mean that they could not care less.

THIS! I do not have the words to explain how this really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really (etc) drives me absolutely insane!

lostinrates

claire16c wrote: »

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

This is a huge generalisation. There are swathes of insular America (and Uk, and anywhere else, but aided by the fact its a HUGE place that people holiday within, contrasted with us, small and close to cheaper, warmer places!). Increasingly concerningly we find that the young post grads we encounter the Americans are the least insular and the most intellectually curious. Of an already tightly self selected group I find that concerning for our young people. If we can import THAT sort of attitude I'm all for it.

KarrieBee

You aren't the only one - there are tons of prescriptivists out there, just look at the popularity of Lynne Truss.
I spend most of the year teaching our linguistics first year undergrads to stop making value judgements about language and just describe it as it is - a vibrant, creative, ever changing beast

By the way Voyager - do you have any evidence for this:
"The point is that we need precise language in order to think clearly, and most Americanisms are a lot vaguer than the English terms they replace".
Cognitive linguistics is not really my area so I'm very curious.