Is it only me that goes grrr at this phrase?

“I went down the pub”
That's normal, innit?
Like "I went down the town on the buz"

I think one has to move with the times.

Grammarreto
Not surprised when apparently until WW11 many in the US had never heard of the UK let alone where it was .

More annoying (which seems to come to the fore this year) is Christmas Eve Eve and New Year’s Eve Eve plus a slew of ‘Happy New Years’ today - it isn’t even 2020 yet! I know I’m getting grumpy in my old age ?

Ah, a problem there Mimibunz. In Norfolk we go Up the City which ever direction we’re coming from and Down the pub. And out in the sticks the expression would be “She were sat sittin’ next to me.”

Kim - other threads are available

I loathe English phrases such as “I went down the pub” and “She was sat next to me”. Their both rife in this country and so grammatically incorrect, and tend to be used by those who hate ‘Americanisms’. So, there’s the other side of the coin.

Happy New Year!

Gosh..... what a pity that the last topic of this year should be one, in the grand scheme of things, of irks and petty peeves. I really enjoy this site when it comes into its own with positivity and helpfulness. So good. Happy New Year everyone and.... thanks.

but first and last verses surely?

Nope - sorry!

When my Dad heard the first line 'Should auld acquaintance be forgot?' he'd shout - YES!

lines - not “lives” !

And I thought the expression “New Years” was antipodean. Along with “Laters” and “Arvo”.

Yes, and tomorrow will be Ne'erday!

Fair enough Sirchenjin - but first and last verses surely? Getting the last two lives right?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

Chorus.-For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught
For auld lang syne
For auld, &c.

I don’t go to New Year Eve parties now. Prefer bed, a hot water bottle and a good book. But when I did go to these functions I don’t ever remember actually singing Auld Lang anything. I do vaguely remember standing in a circle with arms crossed, hands held, swaying a lot and giggling.

Scottish singer Mairi Campbell had a Fringe show called
"Auld Lang Syne" it was brilliant! She had us all singing, with the words, at the end. Here she is:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWT-4UTwdE8

I hate it but surely it’s short for New Year’s (Eve) not a plural of New Year

So fun, is one of mine

I’ve lived in Scotland for many, many years and I don’t think I’ve ever sung more than the first couple of verses of Auld Lang Syne. I’m willing to bet that not many people up here could sing much more of the song off by heart!

Auld Lang Zyne' as usually sung at parties is a different song from Burns's 'Auld Lang Syne'' although the former is adapted from the latter

No,it isn’t, it’s just mispronounced. And never spelt “Zyne”.
Burns wrote the original poem which was set to first one (IMO rather dreary) tune, then I believe an American popularised the current setting in the early 1900’s
And south of the Border they only sing the first couple of verses. ?

I’ve just had a “go” at M&S on their FB site

Similarly annoyed by their Sparks e-mails where they have started using emojis and sloppy, unbusinesslike message headings.

Looks like they have let a 16 year old loose in the marketing department...

gateaux's is wrong on so many levels!! shrieks in pain

...and no it can never be Zyne

Well I never!

I have sung 'To you and your King' for years
I've never seen it written down.

I will try to remember if I ever sing it again.
I assumed 'King' meant baby Jesus.

The one that gives me high blood pressure is "slaw" instead of coleslaw. Grrrrrr.

I'm not keen on some of these new expressions either but I guess language evolves all the time. I have just used the words "I guess" and that is an American phrase that people use more and more now.