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Americanisms creeping in

(155 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?

Newquay Mon 29-Jul-19 07:26:51

Drives me up the wall. Some of our DGC are full of them-awesome, butt spring to mind. When I remind them that we’re British and not American they obviously think i’m Mad!

M0nica Mon 29-Jul-19 07:29:17

People have been complaining about Americanisms creeping in for over a century, OK?

EllanVannin Mon 29-Jul-19 07:31:03

You " guys "----including the women !?

stella1949 Mon 29-Jul-19 07:35:03

My mother used to complain bitterly about this - 50 years ago. My answer then, and now, is that it's a small world and getting smaller every day. We all communicate readily and hear each other's speech patterns .... sometimes we like what we hear and start to use it. I see nothing wrong with it, as long as we all know what is being said.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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. ?

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

My Bad! hmm

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.

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

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

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

"Awesome" when describing something quite ordinary.