Americanisms

I was reading on the BBC site the other day where people were invited to send in their "Americanisms", words or phrases of American origin that are creeping into our language. Americanisms are a bad thing that de-values our language, imo and here are some I thought of that annoy me and I'd lay money on it that others on here have some, too

Mall - should be shopping precinct

High School - Comprehensive

Soccer - Obviuous

Season - As in TV show's 3rd season. It's a series, not a season

Fall - I actually heard a woman in my office say fall instead of autumn the other day

I was reading on the BBC site the other day where people were invited to send in their "Americanisms", words or phrases of American origin that are creeping into our language. Americanisms are a bad thing that de-values our language, imo and here are some I thought of that annoy me and I'd lay money on it that others on here have some, too


Fall - I actually heard a woman in my office say fall instead of autumn the other day

You should have slapped that bitch's arse off the sidewalk man!

I always laugh when Americans pronounce "route" and "schedule" wrong.

I believe it all stems from after the American civil war, when American writers (journalists, authors, etc) wanted to distinguish themselves form the British. They started spelling and pronouncing words phonetically, as well as creating "new" words for themselves.

It's a worry that we in Britain appear to be becoming more and more Americanised.

Anyway dudes, i'm off to the mall to get a couple of different color tee's for my vacation in the fall.

I always laugh when Americans pronounce "route" and "schedule" wrong.

I believe it all stems from after the American civil war, when American writers (journalists, authors, etc) wanted to distinguish themselves form the British. They started spelling and pronouncing words phonetically, as well as creating "new" words for themselves.

It's a worry that we in Britain appear to be becoming more and more Americanised.

Anyway dudes, i'm off to the mall to get a couple of different color tee's for my vacation in the fall.

American Revolution?

It's a naturally part of existance language evolves all the time just look at the work of Dickens compared to us, same country yet quite different in just 130 years. Also High School is a scottish word.

i use 2 of them, one i can be excused for, "high school" but my comprehensive is called, whitchurch high school.


the other is season, prob's because i watch a lot of american tv series' my dad always corrects me when i use the word season lol!

I always laugh when Americans pronounce "route" and "schedule" wrong.

I believe it all stems from after the American civil war, when American writers (journalists, authors, etc) wanted to distinguish themselves form the British. They started spelling and pronouncing words phonetically, as well as creating "new" words for themselves.

It's a worry that we in Britain appear to be becoming more and more Americanised.

Anyway dudes, i'm off to the mall to get a couple of different color tee's for my vacation in the fall.

American Revolution?

It's a naturally part of existance language evolves all the time just look at the work of Dickens compared to us, same country yet quite different in just 130 years. Also High School is a scottish word.

No, American Civil War.

If i remember correctly, there was a push by American writers (Walt Whitman, etc) to distinguish themselves from British writers, at the same time, which is where a lot of it stems from. Although, it may have started earlier (American Revolution).

I'm going back a few years to my university days here mind, so feel free to correct if i'm wrong.

I agree, language is an ever evolving process.

'Assists' in football. You mean a good through ball that leads to a goal?

'Team' somebody or other.

Guys.

Enjoy your meal.

Obviuous - Obvious

Mall - should be shopping precinct

Shouldn't it be shopping centre?

'Assists' in football. You mean a good through ball that leads to a goal?

"He's an offensive midfield player" Attacking midfielder. Unless they mean Joey Barton, of course

Mall - should be shopping precinct

Shouldn't it be shopping centre?

Not when I was a kid it wasn't. Precinct had a different meaning, the shopping centre as a whole was still called that but the precinct was a load of shops in one covered building

Obviuous - Obvious

I know, my head is hung in shame