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Gotten or Got

(110 Posts)
flappergirl Mon 08-Jan-24 22:48:23

I joined a thread on Mumsnet a while back about aspects of social media that irritate you. I cited a few things, amongst which was the increasing use of "gotten" instead of "got".

I had many replies from people who claimed that it was in fact correct. My response being that it had ceased to be used in the UK in the 18th century but it was absolutely correct in American English.

Several posters told me that it was normal in South East England, Scotland and the Midlands and that gotten, not got, was actually taught in Irish schools and always had been.

I can't speak for SE England, the Midlands or Scotland but I've had quite a few Irish friends over the years and I've never heard them say gotten instead of got and I'm sure I would have noticed.

Does anyone live in or have connections to the regions or countries mentioned and if so is this correct? Enlighten me!

SallyatBaytree Fri 12-Jan-24 12:28:32

I have always thought <I got..we got> etc sounds like slang English. I always try to use another word [ eg.received/ was given/bought/fetched etc]
I recall it was my grammar school English teacher , some 55 years ago. who demanded this 'better way' for spoken english and essays!! And my parents were sticklers for good grammar.

Bazza Fri 12-Jan-24 12:28:36

I don’t care if it’s correct or not, I find it really irritating! Along with haitch.

SueDoku Fri 12-Jan-24 12:33:27

Deedaa

I know there was a lot of argument about this on Facebook recently. My feeling is that, as it was an English word taken over to America by the early settlers, it can't really be described as an American import. As English evolves all the time there's no reason why an archaic word can't come back into use.

The thing that annoys me far more is the dreadful language in headlines from certain publications on line. People are continually described as making "sweet" gestures or saying a few "sweet" words every time they open their mouths. Women don't have hair any more; they have "locks" or "tresses" which are usually "flowing". They all seem to be writing for 4 year olds,

I couldn't agree more. The Sun has a reading age of 8 - which says it all really.
I had h colleague who was Scottish and she is the only person that I've heard use 'gotten' in everyday speech, so I think that the Northern/Scottish connection holds up.
At present, I'm trying (fruitlessly) to prevent my DGC from using 'like' as every other word - it's driving me mad 🙄

FranP Fri 12-Jan-24 12:45:18

A Londoner, having lived in W Scotland, S Wales NI and E Anglia, the only time I have heard gotten used was from US servicemen. Is gotten not a German derivation?

Frenchgalinspain Fri 12-Jan-24 12:54:11

Have got is proper ..

I studied for my Masters in mass communications and journalism at New York University School of Journalism and never heard "gotten" ..

Maybe it is considered "slang" abroad ?

Mojack26 Fri 12-Jan-24 13:25:56

I'm in Scotland. I use both. eg ill gotten gains but also 'I got given a present yesterday.'

rowyn Fri 12-Jan-24 13:51:14

Living in the SE for the last 40 years, born and brought up in Yorkshire, also four years in Scotland and never heard 'gotten' used . Being very fond of words, grammar, etc, I'm sure I would have noticed.

pce612 Fri 12-Jan-24 13:54:54

Not heard it here in the Highlands.

4allweknow Fri 12-Jan-24 14:19:19

Lived in south east Engksbd and central Scotland, never heard gotten being used.

polly123 Fri 12-Jan-24 14:25:13

Definitely an Americanism and sounds awful. I have never heard of it having an Irish connection having spent a lot of time listening to Irish people.

welbeck Fri 12-Jan-24 14:31:51

someone studied in new york and never heard the word gotten ??
didn't get out much ?

HiMay Fri 12-Jan-24 16:06:36

I have lived in USA and Ireland.
“Gotten’ is American English. It is considered ungrammatical in Ireland.

DamaskRose Fri 12-Jan-24 16:36:13

Urmstongran

I’ve used it on occasion. Actually quite like it! 😊
As in ‘I’ve gotten used to doing it this way’ for example.

I use it sometimes too. I’m Irish and not young! Don’t think it was taught in Ireland but it was used presumably.

DrWatson Fri 12-Jan-24 17:39:00

"Gotten" is commonly used in USA. A subset of folk may well use it here, but then we also see the likes of "would of", "could of", "might of", etc (or even written as "would ov"!), doesn't make them correct either.

I think it's used in Ireland, by what proportion I have no idea, but they do have some expressions that are odd to us? If it's used in Liverpool, well see similar comments as per Ireland?!

Oreo Fri 12-Jan-24 17:52:38

Like most others I’ve never heard anyone in the UK say gotten.
I suppose it was used here hundreds of years ago and then settlers in America continued using it but it dropped out of common usage here.

homefarm Fri 12-Jan-24 17:52:45

GOT was correct in the SE and the Midlands as grew up.
Gotten has crept in with all the rubbishy American TV that they brainwash us with today.

Newatthis Fri 12-Jan-24 19:05:52

Language evolves. Yes, it is used more in America, I think than in the UK, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the Americans are incorrect. When a language is exported it will change organically. When I was at school we weren’t even allowed to use the verb ‘to get’ nor any of its tenses. Our English teacher made us find the correct verb to use. E.g. ‘get the phone’ ‘answer the phone’
‘ I’ve got a cold’ - ‘I’ve caught a cold’

Hammo Fri 12-Jan-24 20:50:04

The thing I hate is … can I get … as in ordering a coffee in Costa etc!! Surely … may I have a cappuccino… is just a bit nicer. My son says this 🤦🏼‍♀️!!!

welbeck Fri 12-Jan-24 20:57:33

what did you get for xmas,
is not all that far from
can i get a coffee.
get is doing the same work; receive, be given.

welbeck Fri 12-Jan-24 21:01:37

i think saying,
may i have ...
would feel rather arch and unnatural to most young people.
they would feel self-conscious saying it, not relaxed.
i think it will largely die out.
how many now announce their desire to retire for the evening.
probably some edwardians were repelled by youngsters boldly stating that they were going to bed.

Lucyd Fri 12-Jan-24 21:27:26

I would say got. Can recommend the Bill Bryson book - fascinating.

GrauntyHelen Fri 12-Jan-24 23:47:08

I'm Scottish I don't use gotten and I haven't heard it used either

DeeJaysMum Sat 13-Jan-24 02:02:44

Born and raised in Birmingham, and I've never used or heard 'gotten'

Wheniwasyourage Sat 13-Jan-24 13:40:38

Please may I point out to those of you who say that you live in Scotland and have never heard anyone saying “gotten”, that there are quite a few dialects in Scotland.

Aveline Sat 13-Jan-24 13:46:33

Er I do live in Scotland and, like most Scots, am well aware that there are many dialects here. As there are in every country.