Interview

6 replies

LondonMother · 23/10/2013 16:29

'I interviewed.' To me, this means 'I was the interviewer'. Increasingly, though, people use it to mean 'I had an interview'. Is this an Americanism? Haven't we lost a useful distinction here?

OP posts:

nomorecrumbs · 23/10/2013 16:30

I've never heard this said in this context before but I guess they're missing out the "was". And yes, it is confusing!

Original poster

LondonMother · 23/10/2013 16:46

I interviewed at .....

I'm hearing it in my mind with an American accent but I'm sure I've heard it here too.

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FalseWidow · 23/10/2013 19:59

whaaaaat? people are saying this? bloody imbeciles

Onsera3 · 30/11/2013 20:54

I first heard this on the original season of The Apprentice USA when the finalists were told they were going they were going to 'interview' or 'interview with' people. Thought it was very strange.

LiberalPedant · 01/12/2013 15:15

Interesting question, especially from an etymological standpoint. An interview is a two-way conversation, is it not? The applicant also interviews the prospective employer.

I think the usage is supported by the etymology: inter/entre=between

MirandaGoshawk · 02/12/2013 13:39

Lib that's one thing you're not supposed to do at an interview!

Seriously, I'm with FalseWidow - noooooooooooo!

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