To hate Americanisms...?

[Groof]

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 waiting list)
• reach out

Which ones do you hate or AIBU?

A lot of the 'traditions' are!

Schedule (hard sck) instead of schedule (soft sh).

Negative six instead of minus six, seems so clumsy.

Sidewalk instead of pavement.

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

Americans are very welcome and to use language however is correct and common for them. The annoyance is when British people use Americanisms for no good reason. Doesn't mean Americans using Americanisms are being criticised or are unwelcome.

I used to get much more annoyed by Americanisms, until I started to read older literature and realised that some words that they use must have gone over with the emigrants and have been kept alive, whereas us Brits have moved on and left them behind.

I can't think of any examples off the top of my head though.

However, I really can't stand 'hard agree' and see it a lot on MN.

Another thing which happens a lot now, is someone will say , for example, " I am loving this " instead of " I love this".

A dumper truck?

Lots of Americanisms are uses that were common in Britain when Brits first moved over there but then fell out of favour here. This thread is just poorly disguised racism.

Guys
(When it is used for a mixed or even female group)
There are so many alternatives that are not 'default male'. Depending on context, could be: Yous, you, you all, colleagues, everyone, all, team, lasses, ladies, comrades.

There are articles on why the word is non-inclusive if you dont believe me. Also try asking "what do guys look for in a partner" or "how many guys have you dated/ has your partner dated?"

I'm American and honestly, I had never heard 'play date' my entire life growing up in California. The first time I heard this term used was when my DC1 started school about 20 years ago. It's always annoyed me.

Orientated and oriented both drive me mad. I mean, I say 'orientated'. I've been conditioned! 😁 But I do get thrown when I listen to American podcasters saying 'oriented' and I'll think 'Wrong! Oh wait... maybe they're right and orientated is wrong." Still confuses me, decades later, as an adopted Brit. 😆

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?

When I was in my late teens I worked in a cocktail bar in Mallorca which was frequented by U.S Marines. They'd all say "Can I get a jack n Coke?" And sometimes I'd reply - with a big smile and a wink - "Well no, but I can get you one if you use your manners!"

I know there are way more important things going on in the world but:
Reach out - makes me imagine a giant arm and hand trying to grab something.
Garbage
Moving forward - instead of in future.
Happy Holidays
Making a huge fuss about Halloween.

I don’t know if I’m unusual but sometimes I like the American word more eg dish soap rather than washing up liquid

It’s hard to stick to the British word because of the Internet. For example it’s easier to say “curtain bangs” rather than translate it into a British English alternative then hope everyone speaks British English.

Legos is admittedly an odd one where no other country seems to use that word and when I’ve seen or heard it used online, the comments will correct the poster.

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

I dont know when we all simultaneously decided that we now fill out a form, rather than filling in one, but I feel like I'm the only person I know who still defaults to "fill in".

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

There's nothing wrong with "can I get", apart from the lack of a please. "Get" can mean to receive, as in "did you get my email" or "did you get anything nice for Christmas".

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

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

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?

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.

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.

Language evolves.

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 🤣)