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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

IABU to hate "Can I get...."?

112 replies

tbtc20 · 17/02/2016 16:23

A colleague (English as first language) likes to adopt Americanisms into his speech.

His latest is to say e.g. "Can I get you to test this program" or "Can I get an account for our new starter".

I think he thinks it makes him sound cool.

Makes me wince.

OP posts:
StepAwayFromTheThesaurus · 17/02/2016 17:25

I don't know why people are bothered about this. I'm Scottish and everyone has always said this.

When I was a kid you'd get told off about can instead of may (by adults who'd never say 'please may I'). But no one would question the get. You are looking to get a cup of coffee. That's the purpose if the interaction.

Noisytraffic · 17/02/2016 17:31

It drives me up the wall. A few of my friends say it and I find myself biting my tongue.

WhereYouLeftIt · 17/02/2016 18:15

"A colleague (English as first language) likes to adopt Americanisms into his speech."
Maybe he does, but 'can I get' is not an Americanism. Confused

thebiscuitindustry · 17/02/2016 19:23

I've never heard "please" used in the same sentence as "Can I get..."

Eigg · 17/02/2016 19:27

Language evolves. Unless he is an English teacher YABU

Ifiwasabadger · 17/02/2016 19:30

YABVU

bibbitybobbityyhat · 17/02/2016 19:31

Yanbu, I hate it too.

harrasseddotcom · 17/02/2016 19:34

YABU. Im Scottish and its pretty standard. And people usually add please at the end. As in "Can I get a coffee please". Would this be instead of "Can I have a coffee please"? Sorry, but YABU to hate this. Its just language, and language evolves.

CantChoose · 17/02/2016 19:35

I hate it too. When someone is ordering food and drink anyway. I'm not sure about the their examples. But unless you intend to hop over the counter and get the coffee yourself then, no, you can't 'get a coffee'.

Sparklingbrook · 17/02/2016 19:38

Doesn't bother me. If you are going to get a coffee from a shop you can ask 'can I get a coffee?'

YABU

NorahBone · 17/02/2016 19:42

It's wrong and confusing -don't ask if you can get something if you've no intention of doing the getting!

StepAwayFromTheThesaurus · 17/02/2016 19:43

You do hear it with please.

Sparklingbrook · 17/02/2016 19:43

How is it confusing? People that work in cafes etc know exactly what you mean.

maybebabybee · 17/02/2016 19:45

YABU. I am British and I never realised this was counted as an "Americanism". But then I don't get the hate for so-called Americanisms in general.

usual · 17/02/2016 19:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dodobookends · 17/02/2016 19:47

You can't walk into a coffee shop and ask "Can I get a coffee?"

No, you can't get it. You can't walk round to the other side of the counter and help yourself. That's the barista's job. They get it for you.

Sparklingbrook · 17/02/2016 19:48

Are you sure usual? Sounds a bit confusing. Grin

usual · 17/02/2016 19:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

StepAwayFromTheThesaurus · 17/02/2016 19:58

Dodo: that is sheer pedantry. The English language is full of phrases that don't make literal sense. So what if you don't physically get the bloody coffee yourself?

StepAwayFromTheThesaurus · 17/02/2016 20:02

Would the barista be confused if you said, 'Never mind then', after they'd told you they'd just run out of those big Jaffa cake thingies? No, because they're capable of understanding English. Everyone knows what 'please can I get one of those Jaffa cake thingies?' means.

helenahandbag · 17/02/2016 20:02

This is possibly the most pedantic thread I've ever come across.

I've lived in Scotland all my life and it has never occurred to me that 'can I get' is an Americanism. I've probably said it myself and can't imagine anyone sitting around, gnashing their teeth about how someone asks for something Hmm

BikeRunSki · 17/02/2016 20:08

I've heard "Can I get.../... Should I get....?" From an Irish girl I know for a good 30 years. "Should I get a shower now?" kind of thing.

It may not be a English expression, but it's not American either.

Sparklingbrook · 17/02/2016 20:10

Presumably 'should I get a shower?' involves a trip to B&Q? Grin

kippersyllabub · 17/02/2016 20:12

I'm Scottish and I always say "could I get..." I don't say "can I get..." quite so much I think. It's not American.

bibbitybobbityyhat · 17/02/2016 20:13

Myself I am a fan of "could I have a ... please?"