Americanisms

[dcentity2000]

Being English I always find it curious how the English language has evolved to such an extent in America, so much so that a whole new branch has been formed known as 'American English'.

Do you know any Americanisms?

For instance: whilst traditional English may say "Aeroplane", American English spells the word "Airplane". "Grey" becomes "Gray", "Rumour" becomes "Rumor" and "Sulphur" becomes "Sulfur".

Anyone know any others off hand?



Rich::

 

[minnie56]

Colour becomes Color?

 

[Patch'sD]

TV becomes Tele

Ocean Becomes Pond

Elevator becomes lift

Subway becomes Underground

Just Kidding

 

[cynsaun]

whilst-while

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

flat = apartment
aluminium = aluminum
favour = favor
colour = color
Obourne = Osborne

 

[minnie56]

Subway is the 'tube' in the U.K

 

[minnie56]

A Popsicle is an 'ice lolly'

A car trunk is a 'boot'

 

[Loftus]

Sidewalk - Pavement
Eggplant - Aubergine
Pants - Trousers
Purse - Handbag

and lets not talk about fanny.......

 

[Serena]

Originally posted by Loftus
and lets not talk about fanny.......

Why not?

 

[DukeStreetKing]

Car hood = bonnet
July 4th = just another day

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Originally posted by Loftus
Sidewalk - Pavement
Eggplant - Aubergine
Pants - Trousers
Purse - Handbag

and lets not talk about fanny.......

I use those words interchangably. They're synonyms.

 

[minnie56]

Loftus...too funny!!

 

[minnie56]

And a zucchini is a courgette on the other side of the pond!

 

[KristaTX]

It's easier to think of words we don't use that Brits do use. We don't use the word nappies for diapers, or bangers for sausages, or chips for fries.

 

[minnie56]

Potato chips are 'crisps'

 

[BostonTigger]

I don't have a word to offer up, but what got me thinking when the question was asked was how did Old English evolve into the English we know today. And how about Latin? Wasn't latin the primary lanquage during the Roman period? And now it's pretty much a dead language. Interesting.

 

[sunni]

no loos or water closets here in America! (took me forever to figure out what a w.c. was the first time I heard that)

 

[Loftus]

Originally posted by sunni
no loos or water closets here in America! (took me forever to figure out what a w.c. was the first time I heard that)

Do you just cross your legs?