Phrases/words that set your teeth on edge.

[MrGongGong]

I think I'll now drop this 'anti-Americanism' crusade. I've finally lost the will to respond any further.

Far to many (and too early) posts to go though
but i'm assuming you have read this?

http://www.billbryson.co.uk/index.php/mother-tongue-the-story-of-the-english-language-2/#uk

(I think it's the one rather than "Made in America" ?)

Where I discovered that many things I thought were "Americanisms" were in fact nothing of the sort.

Have a nice day y'all!

[ahinton]

I think I'll now drop this 'anti-Americanism' crusade. I've finally lost the will to respond any further.

I've decided it might be easier to pretend I just lurve Americanisms and am most grateful to Pabmusic, who has now listed scores of examples after appearing to claim Americanisms were really old Britishisms, and, of course, I have huge sympathy with ahinton who continues his well-documented and apparently vain search for proper answers ... maybe because he's too busy asking the questions in multiple duplicate he hasn't actually noticed these were properly answered right from the 'get-go'?.

Enough!

I believe that I asked you just one question, which appears not to have elicited an answer. However, I applaud - or am perhaps relieved to learn of - your wise decision to give up on this. You do not have to pretend anything; all that you need to do is accept that you have lost more than the will to respond further.

[ahinton]

Far to many (and too early) posts to go though
but i'm assuming you have read this?

http://www.billbryson.co.uk/index.php/mother-tongue-the-story-of-the-english-language-2/#uk

(I think it's the one rather than "Made in America" ?)

Where I discovered that many things I thought were "Americanisms" were in fact nothing of the sort.

Have a nice day y'all!

Thanks.

How to Britishise an Americanism: when an American says "gee!" to you, respond "and T".

[Pabmusic]

... Pabmusic, who has now listed scores of examples after appearing to claim Americanisms were really old Britishisms...

Yet another straw man argument. I pointed out that many (yes, very many) Americanisms are old British words that have died out in the UK (other instances - "I loaned him five shillings"; "at last we're in a state of normalcy"). That's true. I then listed many (by no means a near-exhaustive list of) 19th-century genuine Americanisms. At no time did I imply that all Americanisms were British expressions.

The English language has been enriched beyond measure by the influence of American English.

[Pabmusic]

...Where I discovered that many things I thought were "Americanisms" were in fact nothing of the sort...

So true.

[Pabmusic]

There ARE two ways about it! You repeated that one. But your point is, of course, well made.

Repetitious old b-----d that I am.

[teamsaint]

Yet another straw man argument. I pointed out that many (yes, very many) Americanisms are old British words that have died out in the UK (other instances - "I loaned him five shillings"; "at last we're in a state of normalcy"). That's true. I then listed many (by no means a near-exhaustive list of) 19th-century genuine Americanisms. At no time did I imply that all Americanisms were

The English language has been enriched beyond measure by the influence of American English.

You better believe it.

[ahinton]

Repetitious old b-----d that I am.

No points for you on Just a Minute, then!...

[Pabmusic]

No points for you on Just a Minute, then!...

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Thanks.
How to Britishise an Americanism: when an American says "gee!" to you, respond "and T".

"Britishize", surely?

[jean]

Not necessarily. The -ise is just as British.

[jean]

Does anyone have any idea why Scotty wanted to know how old I am?

[ahinton]

"Britishize", surely?

Of course! How careless of me!

[ahinton]

Does anyone have any idea why Scotty wanted to know how old I am?

Well, I for one do not; I don't know why Tippster did either, as I imagine would be clear from my riposte thereon.

[jean]

Of course! How careless of me!

Not at all! You were perfectly British the first time.