Americanisms in UK English

[Busaholic]

Similarly, the American usage of mad to mean 'very angry' is spreading here, taking it away from its original meaning of 'insane, mentally deranged'. At least there are plenty of alternative words in this case, but is it me or is cross in this sense becoming dated?

Another annoyance is super used as an adverb to mean 'very, extremely', as in "I'm super excited about tomorrow". This usage is now commonplace amongst younger Brits.

The late writer David Nobbs created the Reginald Perrin character so superbly played by Leonard Rossiter when it came to television. In its second incarnation when Perrin had somehow survived his long walk into the sea and become a budding entrepreneur he had two young male proteges, one of whom (Tony) replied 'great' to everything Reggie said, the other (David Harris-Jones iirc) simpering a wet 'super' as back-up! Reggie ran the store 'GROT' which became a runaway success and, in my view, was the inspiration for the later pound stores.

 

[SJL2020]

Similarly, the American usage of mad to mean 'very angry' is spreading here, taking it away from its original meaning of 'insane, mentally deranged'. At least there are plenty of alternative words in this case, but is it me or is cross in this sense becoming dated?

Again, not an Americanism, as that usage can be found in Shakespeare.

 

[prod_pep]

Again, not an Americanism, as that usage can be found in Shakespeare.

Well, I did say American usage. Mad meaning angry very definitely was, possibly for centuries. 'Gotten' is a classic example: a long-deprecated British term which became unique to American English and incorrect in the UK.

 

[contrex]

"Regular" when used to mean medium sized or ordinary rather than periodic always annoys me. My American girlfriend is always laughing at my British pronunciation. Her fave is when I say "kybosh".

Maybe influenced by Dickens, I like to say "put the ky-bosk on it".

 

[kristiang85]

I've noticed the new trend in American language seems to be the use of "y'all".

Given how often their trends come here, I really really really hope we don't adopt it, as it - for a completely unknown reason - irritates me to the core.

 

[birchesgreen]

I've noticed the new trend in American language seems to be the use of "y'all".

Given how often their trends come here, I really really really hope we don't adopt it, as it - for a completely unknown reason - irritates me to the core.

I often use y'all. Not really any different from the local dialect youze.

 

[WizCastro197]

I often use y'all. Not really any different from the local dialect youze.

Yes. Sometimes I do find myself say it when talking quite fast. When saying 'You All' It just slurs into 'y'all' if you are talking fast.

 

[kristiang85]

I often use y'all. Not really any different from the local dialect youze.

But it's becoming a "thing" now, very long and drawn out rather than just a quick shortening. And now it's getting written in text, it is particularly irritating

 

[johnnychips]

I was surprised to read here that David Bowie was pronounced as in bow (ship). If so, wouldn’t his son (who I believe changed his name when he grew up) be called Zoe?

Another great Simpsons word that we should immediately adopt is in the Springfield motto:

A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.

 

[Busaholic]

I was surprised to read here that David Bowie was pronounced as in bow (ship). If so, wouldn’t his son (who I believe changed his name when he grew up) be called Zoe?

Another great Simpsons word that we should immediately adopt is in the Springfield motto:

A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.

It wasn't, it was pronounced as in bow (tie).

 

[birchesgreen]

But it's becoming a "thing" now, very long and drawn out rather than just a quick shortening. And now it's getting written in text, it is particularly irritating

Y'all need to stop letting stuff like getting to ya.

 

[johnnychips]

It wasn't, it was pronounced as in bow (tie).

Senility creeps up.

 

[nlogax]

Y'all need to stop letting stuff like getting to ya.

Preach! Can't believe Americanisms grind the gears of so many here. Never understood the angst..personally I could care less.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Yes. Sometimes I do find myself say it when talking quite fast. When saying 'You All' It just slurs into 'y'all' if you are talking fast.

Oddly, when I hear an American say "y'all" it doesn't bother me... but if I hear them fully enunciate "you all" it just sounds peculiar. A bit like the Armstrong & Miller sketch with characters who used the slang of 2000s youth (such as "innit") but with a more formal register ("isn't it").

Either speak formally or informally, but don't mix and match!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I've noticed the new trend in American language seems to be the use of "y'all".
Given how often their trends come here, I really really really hope we don't adopt it, as it - for a completely unknown reason - irritates me to the core.

I remember the first cabin announcement I heard from the pilot of an American airliner began with "I hope y'all are comfortable back there".
This was on Delta to Atlanta where they all talk like that.
Very friendly too.

 

[Doppelganger]

Jail is very much an Americanism, as the British spelling would be gaol, and you hardly ever see this spelling.

 

[Benters]

The term 'prison' tends to be used in this country. By the way HMP Stafford is situated on Gaol Road, just north of the town centre.

 

[AlterEgo]

Similarly, the American usage of mad to mean 'very angry' is spreading here, taking it away from its original meaning of 'insane, mentally deranged'.

It’s been used to describe anger since the 1300s, another one to chalk up to the increasing long list of Things That Aren’t Americanisms No Matter How Mad They Make You.

Shakespeare used the term in Henry IV and the King James Bible also uses the word to mean angry.

 

[TheSeeker]

This was on Delta to Atlanta where they all talk like that.

I've got a radio scanner and listen to the activity at Brussels Zaventem. The US pilots all sound like the Tracey family from Thunderbirds. Quite entertaining to hear United pilots getting lost on the taxiway and then apologising to the tower.

 

[Amos]

There was one time my local borough council had repainted the road with directions heading to the "town center" - the amount of backlash it generated fixed their mistakes, but it goes to show how much we, the British, care about how the language shall be spelt. Whether that's good or bad is a matter of debate.

Makes my blood boil whenever I pass a sign for center parcs.

 

[Doppelganger]

Makes my blood boil whenever I pass a sign for center parcs.

So you have a problem with the French?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

So you have a problem with the French?

Original business was Dutch, wasn't it?

 

[swt_passenger]

Makes my blood boil whenever I pass a sign for center parcs.

Also “Plumb Center“ and the various other trade outlets…

 

[Doppelganger]

Original business was Dutch, wasn't it?

Parent company is French: Pierre & Vacances

Besides Center Parcs is very much a French name rather than Dutch, I'm no Dutch speaker but it would probably translate to Centrum Parken.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Original business was Dutch, wasn't it?

Parent company is French: Pierre & Vacances

Besides Center Parcs is very much a French name rather than Dutch, I'm no Dutch speaker but it would probably translate to Centrum Parken.

Definitely originally was a Dutch business, and you weren't far off, the original name was 'Sporthuis Centrum' (roughly translates as "Sport House Centre").

History

corporate.centerparcs.co.uk

Extract...

As the business evolved and grew, tents became lodges and Sporthuis Centrum became Center Parcs. By 1987, when the first village opened in the UK, there were already Center Parcs villages in The Netherlands, Belgium and France.

Anyhoo, we seem to be dragging the thread off topic, as 'Center Parcs' is definitely not an Americanism.

 

[contrex]

It wasn't, it was pronounced as in bow (tie).

I heard Radio One DJs pronounce it the wrong way in the early 1970s.

 

[Busaholic]

Jail is very much an Americanism, as the British spelling would be gaol, and you hardly ever see this spelling.

No it's not, the word jaile was in Middle English use from around 1300. I first came across Jail Lane in Biggin Hill in the 1960s, and the Old Jail pub there dating from the 18th century is Grade 2 listed. I can find no record of Jail Lane having changed its name, or spelling of it.

Gaol too derives from Middle English.

 

[Amos]

So you have a problem with the French?

No,just wish they’d spell it the English way.

 

[Mojo]

I saw a poster up at an Underground station earlier that mentioned getting a “takeout,” as opposed to a takeaway as we would usually say in the UK. Isn’t the first time I’ve heard that Americanism recently either.

 

[DelW]

I saw a poster up at an Underground station earlier that mentioned getting a “takeout,” as opposed to a takeaway as we would usually say in the UK. Isn’t the first time I’ve heard that Americanism recently either.

Well the Scots of my acquaintance call it a "carry-out", so this is maybe an Anglo Scottish mix