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[SeagullSongs]

One americanism I found astounding was after asking for a coffee, I was asked 'do you want that to walk?' I wish I was witty enough to come up with a funnier answer than 'No I want it to drink' but I couldn't!

I would've said "Yes, but only slowly. I don't want it wandering too far."

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

I would argue that in modern life, "can i GRAB a mocha to go" is completely suitable for a coffee shop, as horrible and mangled as it may seem.

Also, you meant "assess".

I did and maybe it is, as they say, whatever!

 

[Aadam]

Excellent thread.

Reminds me of a comic that once said the English are the only people that use the word glass as a verb.

Carry on.

 

[Gilliver's Travels]

I'm afraid you've all missed the point of the thread.

How many examples are there of Americans adopting British English words or expressions? It's entirely the other way round, surely?

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

One americanism I found astounding was after asking for a coffee, I was asked 'do you want that to walk?' I wish I was witty enough to come up with a funnier answer than 'No I want it to drink' but I couldn't!

If someone said "do you want that to walk ?" to me , I would be thinking that it was about to be purloined

 

[Lincoln Imp]

Yes, it is. OED definition, along with the plant/animal stuff: 'A system or organization consisting of interdependent parts, compared to a living being.'

But read it as 'paradigm', rather than 'organism', if you prefer. I stand by my opinon.

(Outstanding signature, by the way. One of Mr Baker's very best.)

All hope has gone if the Oxford English Dictionary is spelling Organization with a z.

 

[Herne Hill Seagull]

All hope has gone if the Oxford English Dictionary is spelling Organization with a z.

My preference is for 's' too, but they're using the Oxford spelling system, favoured by them and the Oxford University Press, which particularly doesn't like 's' for words of Greek origin. I think the Telegraph and perhaps one or two other serious papers still use Oxford spelling as well.

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

I'm afraid you've all missed the point of the thread.

How many examples are there of Americans adopting British English words or expressions? It's entirely the other way round, surely?

I am sure it happens. I seem to remember 'foggiest' being adopted in the late eighties and also they adopted 'pissed' although its meaning was adapted. There must be others.