Fossil Poetry

[peteyoung]

Vive la difference and all that, but why do some Americanisms irritate people? My personal bête noire: "awesome", especially when used to replace "thank you". So what Britishisms irritate Americans and antipodeans?

Comments

[replyhazy]

It makes me a bit crazy when people say something has "gone pear-shaped" because... er... I am pear-shaped.

[voidampersand]

The exact counterpart of "awesome" is "brilliant".

[grytpype_thynne]

In Leicester it is Bwillyant, although that doesn't quite capture the phonetics.

[bugshaw]

I haven't had an excuse to use this icon for ages - and now I do! Brilliant!

[dyfferent]

"sort of very" - it's either sort of or it's very, it can't be both FFS.

"(dis) orientated" - having grown up using (dis) oriented, it sounds overly precious to me.

Sporting terminology, but for your sport, such as 'hat trick'. And various cricket terms. I don't like American sporting terminology either mind.

Doctors who use words like 'tummy' and 'womb' rather than the appropriate anatomical term; it feels infantile. And who tell you to 'pop off' your clothes. My clothes do not pop off.

'Liase' as a verb. It has a slimy feel.

I don't normally mind, but adults saying things like 'brekkie,' 'biccie,' and 'cuddle' again sounds quite childish if they're not actually conversing with children.

I'm used to it now, but the use of cunt, twat, etc in reference to men used to take me aback considerably, as in the US the same terms are used to denigrate women and are the Heavy Artillery, coming just before actual punching.

There are many more words I like than dislike, though.

[replyhazy]

My UK dance friends who use the term "cossies" for costumes throws me for a loop every time.

[pennski]

I'm curious. What replaces "cuddle"? Hug? Or something else?

[grytpype_thynne]

Possibly "We used to own your country, you know..."

[peteyoung]

Or "So how are things in the colonies these days?"

[dfordoom]

why do some Americanisms irritate people?

Mostly it's just part of the knee-jerk anti-Americanism that is so common these days. American slang is no worse than English or Australian slang.