Just for fun, American words for thing you love and hate

[CherryCherries]

Mine are, I love "stroller" as opposed to our "pushchair" and "take out the trash" as opposed to our "take the rubbish out."

I don't like "pants" as "trousers" or "pantyhose" as opposed to "tights." Or "fanny" for "bottom".

What are yours?

They can keep arugala, it sounds like an illness.

I don't like the clunky way they say something 'caught on fire' or the way they call the ground floor the first floor. Confusing!

I think 'senior' is a much better way to refer to an old person than 'pensioner. Sounds more respectful. I like the word popsicle, sounds
whimsical! And 'attorney' sounds more exciting than solicitor or barrister.

I like the way some words appear different but when you consider what they both mean it's basically the same e.g bonnet vs hood of a car (they both goon your head!), icing a cake vs frosting (both frozen related) etc.

I don't like the American use of the word pudding - it only means angel delight type goop. Everything else is a dessert.

Oh gosh I can only think of words I hate.

Top of the list is ‘panties’, urgh urgh I HATE it so much.

@FourTeaFallOut

I love faucet and fall. I'm pretty sure they are both old English words that we switched out but I wish we hadn't.

changed not swapped out!

Unlike an apartment though, you'd rent a condo instead of buying. I think so anyway.

I'm Canadian, not American, but I think the word condo has the same meaning. I am condo owner and resident. Our units are owned by individuals, who might reside there or rent it out. I believe most of our residents are owners, not renters. It is entirely possible that some units are bought by corporations and rented out.

SWITCHED out!!!

I used to think 'condo' meant a beach front property.

@ufucoffee

Nothing. I hate all American words when we have perfectly good words to use. I really hate bathroom for a room that doesn't have a bath. And apartment, takeout, cookie, candy, recess, season instead of series. I could go on and on.

Yes, especially when we have perfectly good words to use. It's not an example of " language changing and evolving", just people thinking they sound cool.

@Classica

I used to think 'condo' meant a beach front property.

I recall more than one show on tv in the '70s, where the characters were faced with their buildings "going condo". I had no idea what it meant, just that the characters couldn't afford it. It sounded vaguely like a sex thing to me, though that didn't make sense.

'In back' when they are talking about their back yard or garden. No - it is either round the back or out the back.

British people who have now started saying 'pissed' when they mean pissed off.

I think Italians would be quite surprised to hear that zucchini and arugula are American words.

I’ve just remembered my American boss who used to say “let’s coverize this” when he meant “could you put on a cover on it”.

'Erbs' in a strange attempt at a french accent. Goes through me.
Pissed if you're annoyed. No. It's pissed off or pissed as in drunk.

Y'all, it's such a handy term. Gas for car fuel, rather than the English way of defining petrol or diesel, or just using petrol as a catch all for both.

Can't stand Horse 'back' riding. The pronunciation of herb. Chips to refer to crisps.

Oops, I mentioned an American word I don’t like, on the grounds that it’s offensive in the UK. I was shocked when I read it in Eat Pray, Love. Clearly it’s too offensive for MN even in this context.

I also can’t stand, “I could care less”. Sorry, North Americans, but I’m afraid you’ve got this one wrong.

I like “Seniors”, being “into” something (e.g. a hobby) and “go for it!”

@powershowerforanhour

Also what doesseppomean?

I would imagine short for septic tank = Yank. A rather xenophobic expression, on a par with Jap or Chinky for example.

I live in Canada only a few miles from the US border and I have never heard this word. Ever. A septic tank is called a septic tank. It is used for waste when there is no sanitary sewer to connect to.

As for the poster who referred to"chink" or "jap". Those terms are far, far outdated and are basically never used. They are racist and unacceptable in Canada and I am sure the US. I never hear them. If I did, frankly I would be horrified.

Please don't assume all Americans or Canadians are a certain way. We aren't. Like the British, we are aware of how language can hurt and harm. Things have come a long way.

I hate “quarter of” as opposed to “a quarter to”. It makes no sense.
I like sweater instead of jumper.
Different states have their own slang. I’m most familiar with Boston and the East Coast and love things like “it’s wicked cold” or “wicked Pissa” (very good), bubbler for water fountain, hang a right or left and bang a uey.

i also LOVE "y'all" and i use it too much
capsicum i like
plus have just seen arugula which i also love

There’s a Bill Bryson book on American English which I read years ago and it fascinated me.

I quite like “the recipe calls for….” (Imagining my pots and pans shouting - or should that be yelling - at me).

I don’t like “doctors office” or “the hospital”.

I was very surprised to learn recently that bollixed/bollocksed isn't considered uncouth slang in America. Seem to be mainly used in a political context. Found that fascinating. You can see its use in the first line of this article.

www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-15/guaido-s-domain-trembles-after-failed-incursion-in-venezuela

I didn't know that about 'bollocksed'!

I love 'ant' instead of 'aunt'.

I remember a discussion a few years ago on another forum that was the opposite of this. Some North Americans were sharing their favourite British English words. IIRC, the best-loved terms were “wanker”, “gobsmacked” and “wheelie bin”.

powershowerforanhour
Also what doesseppomean?

I would imagine short for septic tank = Yank. A rather xenophobic expression, on a par with Jap or Chinky for example.

I live in Canada only a few miles from the US border and I have never heard this word. Ever. A septic tank is called a septic tank. It is used for waste when there is no sanitary sewer to connect to.

As for the poster who referred to"chink" or "jap". Those terms are far, far outdated and are basically never used. They are racist and unacceptable in Canada and I am sure the US. I never hear them. If I did, frankly I would be horrified.

Please don't assume all Americans or Canadians are a certain way. We aren't. Like the British, we are aware of how language can hurt and harm. Things have come a long way.

@LoveFall I think you've misunderstood the explanation given about 'seppo' . Unless I've misunderstood the poster was explaining it as rhyming slang , a British expression for a US American . The poster explaining it is saying it's like using the expression 'chinky' , as in, it's not a nice expression (indeed seen to be racist)