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Americanisms creeping in

(156 Posts)
Vintagegal13 Mon 29-Jul-19 07:14:12

There seem to be an overflow of Americanisms creeping in, which I cannot abide - my pet hate is 'can I grab' as in 'can I grab a coffee' - I feel like saying, I'm sure you can. Why do we find it necessary to copy such phrases? Is tv the big influence? and what phrase is your pet hate?

rem1997 Mon 29-Jul-19 11:30:37

Can I get
Starting a sentence with "So"
Convinced instead of persuaded - there is a difference in meaning.
I'm good instead I'm fine or well

Americanisms aaagh!!

BladeAnnie Mon 29-Jul-19 11:29:52

I was only talking to OH about this last night!! I also hate awesome, and play-date sort of sets my nerves on edge. Americanisms again!!

maddyone Mon 29-Jul-19 11:28:44

I dislike ‘you guys’ and ‘gotten’. Otherwise I’m not too bothered about anything else. We met a lovely American couple last year on a cruise, and we had fun one evening over dinner comparing the different words in USA and Britain. The meaning of ‘fanny’ is VERY different in Britain than America!

AllTheLs Mon 29-Jul-19 11:28:11

Same as Craftycat - starting sentences with 'so'.

Also, any references to being 'on a journey'. Unless it's from one physical place to another.

Margs Mon 29-Jul-19 11:27:47

When shop assistants, post office counter clerks, bus drivers, cab drivers etc, say "see you later."

Will you? It's as meaningless as "have a nice day!"

inishowen Mon 29-Jul-19 11:26:59

"Awesome" when describing something quite ordinary.

Davida1968 Mon 29-Jul-19 11:25:56

"Like" (inserted into ordinary conversation), e.g. "I was, like, really glad to see that film....."

Poppy11 Mon 29-Jul-19 11:23:36

My pet hate is “man up”my son says it to me when I am crying with pain.
He does not say it so much now because I said if he had the pain I constantly suffer with severe austoparosis.not sure how to spell so forgive me if it is wrong.love to you all.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.

jenkins Mon 29-Jul-19 11:23:28

SUPER EVERYTHING...as in I 'm super excited...surely excited is enough...

Craftycat Mon 29-Jul-19 11:21:22

Starting a sentence with 'so'. It drives me potty.
I must admit I hate Americanisms anyway ( DH worked there for a few years & came back with them!!!)
We have a lovely language-don't let it get lost in all the US slang.

ElaineS Mon 29-Jul-19 11:19:16

Can I get.
Sat when it should be sitting or seated.
Stood when it should be standing.
My bad.
I’m good when it should be I’m well.

Joyfulnanna Mon 29-Jul-19 11:17:29

One I like is 'Bell me' it's cute

merlotgran Mon 29-Jul-19 11:13:15

Oh 'can I get?' puts my teeth on edge

Same here, Teetime. We went out for lunch yesterday and when the waiter asked, 'What can I get you guys?' it made me go all 'Margot Leadbetter' and reply, 'Please may I have?' grin

merlotgran Mon 29-Jul-19 11:08:57

My Bad! hmm

Bellasnana Mon 29-Jul-19 10:54:58

It does not bother me at all because I ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’ grin

CariGransnet (GNHQ) Mon 29-Jul-19 10:45:13

Reach out (unless you are one of the Four Tops)

Grandma70s Mon 29-Jul-19 10:44:41

I am guilty of saying OK a lot. All the other Americanisms drive me mad, and I agree with Grammaretto about the American domination of news. I fear the spelling may creep in, too. Does anyone know whether teachers correct it? My grandson (10, and usually a good speller) used ‘favorite’ when writing a postcard to me recently.

Grammaretto Mon 29-Jul-19 10:11:54

I think I'm guilty of can I get. I'm not aware that it has crept into my speech now and is normal.
What I find intensely irritating is how the BBC news is dominated by America.
I woke up today to hear of a shooting in California, a sacking by Trump of one of his previous cronies, a teenager wins $3 million and so on.
Hardly a thing about UK and nothing about my bit!
We truly are the 51st state

Lazigirl Mon 29-Jul-19 09:52:22

Come on now.......learning these "Americanisms" is absolutely essential if we are to communicate effectively after Brexit when we become USA's 51st state.

Missfoodlove Mon 29-Jul-19 09:34:03

I have noticed British journalists using “ gotten “. But then I have heard an English teacher say “ was you “.
Rees Mogg should be given the Ministry of correct speech and grammar. ?

Teetime Mon 29-Jul-19 08:57:47

Oh 'can I get?' puts my teeth on edge I can still hear Mr Richmond (English teacher) PLEASE MAY I HAVE? When I am in a coffee shop I like saying it really loudly. I think people are copying what they hear in the movies as it makes them sound trendy.

lemongrove Mon 29-Jul-19 08:52:19

Just what I was going to say Monica.
It’s because of films, or should I say .....movies.

BlueBelle Mon 29-Jul-19 08:19:18

Just to throw a spanner in the works do you think any English phrases get copied over there Maybe some of our US friends on here can tell us

Lindylou51 Mon 29-Jul-19 07:49:17

"Listen up" instead of listen/pay attention etc and "coming up" instead of forthcoming/coming soon are my irritations.

TerriBull Mon 29-Jul-19 07:45:04

Our children often refer to us both as "guys" it's what they've grown up with I guess, similarly if we are out in a coffee type establishment with any of the younger grown up members of the family, it's "can I get" which of course sounds ridiculous to our ears, mentally my response would be "I don't know". Another one is the response "I'm good" to a "how are you?" question, but that's the nature of language it goes backwards sometimes evolves.