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AIBU?

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Original poster

to absolutely hate the how people are speaking English!

539 replies

exse24Londoner · 03/02/2026 16:35

I really hate how we have "suddenly" starting gifting presents rather than giving them as we did only a couple of years ago. Vacations - when did we start having vacations instead of holidays?????? The other day I saw an advert for pants - turned out to be trousers. Apparently when I speak to someone it is now liaising & if I call or text, I am reaching out..... the other day someone was talking about the front end, or as I prefer to call it - the beginning!!🙄

Dont get me wrong, I love the evolution of language & that generations make it their own but this isn't that this is not teenagers or cultures developing own language its...... weird management/pop psychology speak

is it just me??

OP posts:
StrikeForever · 08/02/2026 17:34

Baloneyhahaboohoo · 08/02/2026 05:56

Anyone out there sick of hearing about ex Prince Andrew and the Harry saga Andrew behaves like a typically spoiled brat I want I want who cares what you want you’re fucked all the expensive education you received blew it away saying you are one of the biggest idiots is an understatement good luck to you now having to live in a “council “ house paying own bills would be a bonus the country and Crown should not be supporting you - go and get a job you’ve scrounged enough whoops your an OAP still scrounging as for the Harry creature - following in uncle Andrew’s footsteps I want I want need I say more

The Andrew issue is a lot more than that

StrikeForever · 08/02/2026 17:37

Rayburn · 08/02/2026 12:58

You think highway isn’t an English word?

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It is, but for all public roads. A motorway is a motorway here.

Rayburn · 08/02/2026 17:44

“It’s not the Noo Jersey Turnpike- it’s the bloody A66 Penrith to Scotch Corner!”

RitaIncognita · 08/02/2026 18:11

Rayburn · 08/02/2026 17:44

“It’s not the Noo Jersey Turnpike- it’s the bloody A66 Penrith to Scotch Corner!”

Turnpike is another old word that is active in present day US. It refers to a restricted access highway on which a toll is charged. Other words for restricted access highways that are generally toll-free are expressway, freeway, or often simply "the interstate." A highway can also often be a "road," usually meaning that it has non-restricted access.

Rayburn · 08/02/2026 18:19

The Americans haven’t even got a King’s Highway.

Oldwmn · 08/02/2026 20:45

OchonAgusOchonOh · 08/02/2026 13:40

It only sounds clunky to you because you are not used to it. Losing it has resulted in a loss of nuance in the dialects that no longer use is as distinct to got.

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Yes, I agree. I won't get used to to it though & neither will anyone I know.
Everything is going in reverse .

ChubbyPuffling · 09/02/2026 08:09

Coming from a family where gotten has always been used, I agree that there is a slight difference between got and gotten. (In our family, district, whatever)
I've got the tickets - the tickets are currently in my possession.
I've gotten the tickets - I have acquired the tickets. Yep can also be said I got the tickets, but I've gotten implies a wee bit more doing of the getting was done by me...

MyBoldLeader · 09/02/2026 13:54

It’s generally the nuances that those who follow the “I’ve heard it so it must be correct” are missing out on.

LimeDreamer · 09/02/2026 16:10

OchonAgusOchonOh · 03/02/2026 16:41

The irony of the typo in your title😀

Language evolves. We watch a lot of american TV/films/etc so americanisms are going to creep in.

In fairness though, I'm Irish and was utterly bemused when I realised pants means knickers in British English. Pants are trousers in hiberno english.

I'm 100% with you on corporate speak. It's a while since I left industry for academia so the buzz words have probably changed but no, I do not want to get in to bed with you, thanks all the same. The idea is really not sexy and no, I'm not reaching out to anyone as that could be considered inappropriate behaviour. I will, however, contact them.

I'm also Irish and pants are knickers to me (tho 'panties' would be the usual name) maybe it's a generational thing?

The Americanism of ordering food in a restaurant and saying "I'll do the xx" instead of "I will have" drives me crackers

januarybluesaregone · 12/02/2026 10:30

Mumteedum · 03/02/2026 18:52

I love mad Trinny but she does this.

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It suits Trinny’s style of delivery though! I’m getting quite fond of the phrase… a red lip 🤣

januarybluesaregone · 12/02/2026 10:31

StrikeForever · 08/02/2026 17:37

It is, but for all public roads. A motorway is a motorway here.

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Highway Code?

StrikeForever · 12/02/2026 12:32

januarybluesaregone · 12/02/2026 10:31

Highway Code?

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As I said, it is a term for public roads. A British motorway is specifically called a motorway 🙄

nevernotmaybe · 12/02/2026 14:09

RitaIncognita · 08/02/2026 15:41

Or highwayman?

Highway is another example of an older British form that we colonists kept and continued to use after motor vehicles arrived on the scene. It's etymology is similar to "high street" which is still used in British English to denote a main or central street.

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There's very few examples that are real, most are either entirely made up, or have a kernel of truth but then twisted far from what is true.

There are some examples. Highway isn't one of them, as highway is still in use in the UK normally. The example being discussed is about a specific type of road and it's designation. Nothing to do with keeping a word or not, which is both not relevant because the word exists in the UK still anyway, and because motorways didn't exist in the past.

AeriatedAnna · 12/02/2026 14:36

I’ve not read all of this so please forgive me if this has already been said, but I think you need a lay 🤔 down Op.

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