American Slang

[Brovion]

It was us that changed it by adding the "u". Americans still use the old English spelling without the "u".

Indeed. There are loads of examples of what we think of as Americanisms which are in fact old English; the term 'Fall' for Autumn being another example, as is the verb 'to skedaddle' and even 'bite the dust', which I thought came from the Wild West. And it's still happening today, witness the number of people who think 'soccer' is an American term.

But back on topic it has been mentioned but I do love the way "just going for a fag" means two totally different things! (Or maybe even three!)

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

The one that always got me was how Kansas was pronounced Can-sas. Yet when they threw AR in front of Kansas it became Ar-Can-Saw.

I've queried a few Yanks this and none has been able to tell me why it's not Ar-Can-Sas.

 

[Peever]

That's British slang.

I suppose if we go back far enough

 

[cardboard]

New Yoik
Toikey Boiger

 

[beorhthelm]

Indeed. There are loads of examples of what we think of as Americanisms which are in fact old English;

except in the case of colour it isnt strictly true. colour was in use before the discovery of america, though the color version would also be used. this applies to a group of other words with "our" endings. its like the "ise" vs "ize" issue, they are both are in use in older English and the correct one depends if its a word of greek or latin origin, but we standardised one way and the americans the other.

 

[User removed 4]

Indeed. There are loads of examples of what we think of as Americanisms which are in fact old English; the term 'Fall' for Autumn being another example, as is the verb 'to skedaddle' and even 'bite the dust', which I thought came from the Wild West. And it's still happening today, witness the number of people who think 'soccer' is an American term.

But back on topic it has been mentioned but I do love the way "just going for a fag" means two totally different things! (Or maybe even three!)

Gotten is another one that i thought was an americanism but in fact fell out of use in england and stayed on in the new world.

 

[jackanada]

When someone has cacky (khaki) pants - always hilarious.

 

[Superphil]

I suppose if we go back far enough

In the early days of the sport among the upper echelons of British society, the proper term for the sport was “Soccer”. Not only that, but the sport being referred to as “Soccer” preceded the first recorded instance of it being called by the singular word “Football” by about 18 years. This happening when it became more popular with the middle and lower class. When that happened, the term “Football” gradually began dominating over “Soccer” and the then official name “Association Football”.

 

[maltaseagull]

Oregano & Basil - not shorter but just pronounced strangely

 

[Superphil]

Oregano & Basil - not shorter but just pronounced strangely

And Herb

 

[skipper734]

Fit instead of fitted, annoys me. I know they can both be correct, fit just sounds wrong, to my English cultured ear.

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

I LOVE this song:

The Gaslight Anthem (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) - YouTube

 

[8ace]

Lazer

 

[Badger]

Telling an American you're off to get wasted always produces a puzzled look.

 

[Djmiles]

It was us that changed it by adding the "u". Americans still use the old English spelling without the "u".

Shh, don't get in the way of a good rant!

 

[Poyetry In Motion]

Comptroller....um, is that not the same as controller, with a P thrown in just to be different?

 

[Lyndhurst 14]

A lot of my American colleagues at work are currently winterizing their cars (or is that automobiles). Always good fun changing their spell checkers from English (US) to English (UK)

 

[Badger]

A lot of my American colleagues at work are currently winterizing their cars (or is that automobiles). Always good fun changing their spell checkers from English (US) to English (UK)

Always handy to have a spare can of gas in the trunk too.

Everything seems to come in bunches in America, "I've got a whole bunch of stuff on my sKedule today".

 

[Shirty]

One of my American colleagues had never heard the word "Rota" before. She is now very familiar with it, particularly its use in conjunction with the word "Tea".

 

[Garage_Doors]

Telling an American you're off to get wasted always produces a puzzled look.

Not surprised as that not even English, just a generation made up phase.