Page 28 | To hate Americanisms...?

Groof · 2025-01-05T22:54:40+00:00

I think maybe because it feels like all English-speaking cultures are becoming boring and homogenous. New ones I've noticed that people in the UK didn't routinely say five years ago but are now EVERYWHERE: - birth control (instead of 'contraception' or 'the pill') - wait list (instead of wait*ing* list) - reach out Which ones do you hate or AIBU?

AshCrapp · 06/01/2025 00:05

What was a "playdate" called in good old standard British English, then?

I don't mind most Americanisms, with the exception of "can I get' which does annoy me.

What I really would like to see introduced is Australianisms, specifically swear words. The creative things they can do with the word "shit" alone...

Mikiamo · 06/01/2025 00:04

Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice · 06/01/2025 00:02

'Blender' is an American term.

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No it isn't. It's Middle English.

Whotenanny · 06/01/2025 00:03

"Can I get..."

🤢🤢

Mikiamo · 06/01/2025 00:03

Grab a bite.

Have a sit

Can I get is not correct unless youre actually getting it. If you're not, it's could I have.

Never saying please or thank you.

Anything that butchers words, such as swapping e and r - centre, fibre, or removing the u - colour.

Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice · 06/01/2025 00:02

Annabella92 · 05/01/2025 23:24

It's the death of culture. All distinctions are being eroded. We're all going into the blender now, it's big America globohomo

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'Blender' is an American term.

CulturalNomad · 06/01/2025 00:01

Yes, people complaining often just sound like parochial dinosaurs

Agreed! Like moaning that cursive isn't used by younger people.

The internet changed everything. People pick up slang words or expressions they like and adopt them. Nobody under age 30 gives a crap about any of this.

It is very funny to hear "ya'll" being used by anybody not in the American deep south! When I was growing up in New England it was viewed as very "country bumpkin" and never used by anyone not born and raised in the south.

dreamingbohemian · 06/01/2025 00:00

IdaPrentice · 05/01/2025 23:54

I'm completely fine with Americans using US English. It's when Brits use it that it's annoying.

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Can you explain why though?

Presumably you don't mind that a huge portion of the world speaks English. So why does it bother you if some phrasings filter back?

TwattyMcFuckFace · 06/01/2025 00:00

QuizzlyBears · 05/01/2025 23:53

Perhaps those of you complaining about irritating ‘Americanisms’ your children have picked up from
YouTube should perhaps reflect on the amount of screen time you’re allowing them on said platform if it is influencing their language development to such a degree….

Edited

I'm 55 and we used to play 'cops and robbers' in the playground during the 1970s, using Americanisms and American accents.

Nothing to do with Youtube, more the Hollywood influence on TV/in films I think.

Did I say 'films'? Should've said 'movies'

TakeMyLifeAndLetItBe · 06/01/2025 00:00

dreamingbohemian · 05/01/2025 23:44

Thank you for understanding this

The US used to be British, even after independence many Brits emigrated to the US. I don't know why people think language only goes one way. It flows back and forth.

it's a bit sad because Americans love British sayings, they have no idea its not reciprocated

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I love the American term 'oftentimes' and hear it used a lot on the podcasts I listen to. I'm not sure if that's an old English term that emigrated with the people or not. Language is a fascinating subject!

Backtoblack1 · 05/01/2025 23:59

dreamingbohemian · 05/01/2025 23:55

SO MANY Americans agree with you about 'my bad'

An abomination

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It's worse when a Brit says it but yes, it's an abomination whoever says it 🤣

dreamingbohemian · 05/01/2025 23:55

Backtoblack1 · 05/01/2025 23:53

My bad
Math
Any spelling where the u is omitted - color, neighbor, etc

My bad is the absolute worst though.

SO MANY Americans agree with you about 'my bad'

An abomination

IdaPrentice · 05/01/2025 23:54

dreamingbohemian · 05/01/2025 23:44

Thank you for understanding this

The US used to be British, even after independence many Brits emigrated to the US. I don't know why people think language only goes one way. It flows back and forth.

it's a bit sad because Americans love British sayings, they have no idea its not reciprocated

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I'm completely fine with Americans using US English. It's when Brits use it that it's annoying.

NattyTurtle59 · 05/01/2025 23:54

kronic · 05/01/2025 23:44

I disagree. It's part of the erosion of what is left of British culture.

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Oh dear, how pompous you sound.

CeciledeVolangesdeNouveau · 05/01/2025 23:54

Momentarily means for a moment, not in a moment. Was most upset about Maggie Smith using it wrongly in the first Harry Potter film but see it all over the place now.
I don't know if this is an Americanism and I am the only person I've ever met who gets irritated by this one, but "cum" is Latin for "with", nothing else. That's why it's part of the place name Stow-cum-Quy. It is not a verb or a noun. That is the hill I will die on, apparently.

Backtoblack1 · 05/01/2025 23:53

My bad
Math
Any spelling where the u is omitted - color, neighbor, etc

My bad is the absolute worst though.

QuizzlyBears · 05/01/2025 23:53

Perhaps those of you complaining about irritating ‘Americanisms’ your children have picked up from
YouTube should perhaps reflect on the amount of screen time you’re allowing them on said platform if it is influencing their language development to such a degree….

TwattyMcFuckFace · 05/01/2025 23:52

"Can I get" drives me absolutely mad!

My friend works in a bakery and usually says, "Nah, I'll get it and you pay for it" 😁

But she's mostly met with a blank/confused look.

dreamingbohemian · 05/01/2025 23:49

craycray431 · 05/01/2025 23:41

The one Americanism I don't understand is the use of the word 'soda.' From what I can gather, 'soda' refers to coke, pepsi, sprite etc, so when you read or hear 'can you get me a soda' etc being said, how do they know exactly which drink to get?
Also the 'I'm on birth control' . . . what do you mean? there are many types of birth control. Are you on the Pill? have an IUD?

Yes, soda is the collective noun. 'What kind of soda do you have?'

Then you ask for a specific one.

Birth control, also collective. People don't usually specify because it's TMI. Same here right?

DiscoBeat · 05/01/2025 23:49

craycray431 · 05/01/2025 23:41

The one Americanism I don't understand is the use of the word 'soda.' From what I can gather, 'soda' refers to coke, pepsi, sprite etc, so when you read or hear 'can you get me a soda' etc being said, how do they know exactly which drink to get?
Also the 'I'm on birth control' . . . what do you mean? there are many types of birth control. Are you on the Pill? have an IUD?

I wonder this too. In our house it means water from the soda syphon. Otherwise the teens will get a coke or lemonade from the fridge (sorry, cooler 🤣)

sloecat · 05/01/2025 23:49

kronic · 05/01/2025 23:44

I disagree. It's part of the erosion of what is left of British culture.

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Language evolves.

HumphreyCushionintheHouse · 05/01/2025 23:48

Words and sayings travel in both directions.

Im British living in US west coast. And I’ve noticed Americans now use words I never heard here 20 years ago, like …..

Cheeky. People used to look at me blankly and now I hear it all the time.
Fortnight. Same as above.
Mobile instead of cell

Loads more than this.

NattyTurtle59 · 05/01/2025 23:48

What I hate are Brits who think their way is the right way! What does it matter if people use Americanisms, how does it affect your quality of life? Language evolves, get used to it.

RitaFromThePitCanteen · 05/01/2025 23:47

Prideful instead of proud and obligated instead of obliged are others that I'm starting to hear from other Brits. I wonder why the rate of adoption of Americanisms is speeding up. Is it because we have greater access to American telly than we used to?

Snorlaxo · 05/01/2025 23:46

@craycray431 I think it means that the person would like any fizzy drink. Does juice cover any still drink other than water ?

SerenityNowInsanityLater · 05/01/2025 23:45

TheSmallAssassin · 05/01/2025 23:34

I hate "gifting" instead of giving or donating. And invite instead of invitation.

We say invitation in the States. Invite is purely British. I've never heard it said back home.