Vacation and Holiday, and other US-UK phrases

[quadraginta]

This from the country that has spray on cheese?
Uggg!!! Abomination!!!

I prefer to think of it as "almost, but not entirely unlike cheese." (Thanks, D. A.)

For real fun look into the great Philly Cheese-steak sandwich debate.

Is it a "true" Philly Cheese-steak if you don't use Velveeta, or must it have "Kraft American Cheese"?

This is serious stuff. People have come to blows.

(Note: Both Velveeta and Kraft American fall into the same cheese category as the "Cheese Whiz" spray on cheese. I.e., "Almost, but not entirely unlike ...")

[quadraginta]

Erm... yeah right because every other crisp flavour tastes like the thing it's named after????:eye-poppi

Except the ones in the post above this, which tasted exactly like hedgehogs


Um...

... why do you know what hedgehogs taste like?

Is that 'prepared' or 'garden fresh' hedgehogs?

[Fiona]

Um...

... why do you know what hedgehogs taste like?



He is Black Jack Davy: his nick is an obvious pseudonym

[Marduk]

Um...

... why do you know what hedgehogs taste like?

Is that 'prepared' or 'garden fresh' hedgehogs?
it was crisped hedgehog

you know what crisps are right ?

theyre those things that you think are called chips !

:p

[Marcus]

No No No No No
Barbeque is cooking outside over charcoal in summer, wearing a comedy apron with breasts or fishnet stockings, while getting drunk.
Broiling is mentioned in the discussion of Lewis Carroll's poem Jabberwocky in Alice Through The Looking Glass, but hasn't been used in these Islands since.
Grilling is cooking with an overhead flame (or other overhead source of heat)
The apron does sound suitable, as does the getting drunk. It takes 24 hours to properly cook a brisket, however, and wood, or better yet, coals only, is the preferred fuel. Once you've had proper barbeque, you'll never confuse it with grilled meat again.

[Marcus]

Uggg!!! Abomination!!!

I prefer to think of it as "almost, but not entirely unlike cheese." (Thanks, D. A.)

For real fun look into the great Philly Cheese-steak sandwich debate.

Is it a "true" Philly Cheese-steak if you don't use Velveeta, or must it have "Kraft American Cheese"?

This is serious stuff. People have come to blows.

(Note: Both Velveeta and Kraft American fall into the same cheese category as the "Cheese Whiz" spray on cheese. I.e., "Almost, but not entirely unlike ...")
I think of Velveeta as simulated cheese as well, although it does have a use, it makes good queso.

[wollery]

Nor Tomato Ketchup flavour either

Oh, and Monster Munch....or maybe QuaversPickled Onion Monster Munch..... :drool:

Damn you GT, damn you!!

Now I'm hungry and Jonesing for something I can't possibly get!!

[six7s]

Now I'm hungry and Jonesing for something I can't possibly get!!The grass is always greener on the other side of the 'hood

[quadraginta]

The apron does sound suitable, as does the getting drunk. It takes 24 hours to properly cook a brisket, however, and wood, or better yet, coals only, is the preferred fuel. Once you've had proper barbeque, you'll never confuse it with grilled meat again.


Mmmm. Mmmm.

Pig Pickin'!

Yessir.

[arthwollipot]

Which is weird, considering that Salt & Vinegar potato chips in the US are almost always sold in blue bags.Purple, in Australia. Blue is "Plain", green is "chicken", yellow is "cheese & onion".

Oh, btw, this is for Smith's Crisps, which IMO are still one of the better cheap brands of chips.

[microdot]

Erm... yeah right because every other crisp flavour tastes like the thing it's named after????

Well pardon me allover the place :rolleyes:

I have experienced a number of crisp flavours which bore a resemblance to their claims to varying degrees.

Ready Salted
Salt & Vinegar
Cheese
Cheese & Onion
Spring Onion
Baked Bean
Ham & Mustard
and so on.....

Barbecue flavour on the other hand is an out-and-out imposter!

[arthwollipot]

Interesting that out of all of the US/UK language threads that have appeared on the forum from time to time, this is the one that has evolved to specifically discuss food.

Don't you find that interesting? I find that interesting.

[Guybrush Threepwood]

Well pardon me allover the place :rolleyes:

Yeah should have had a smilier smiley in there, sorry

I have experienced a number of crisp flavours which bore a resemblance to their claims to varying degrees.

Ready Salted
Salt & Vinegar
Cheese
Cheese & Onion
Spring Onion
Baked Bean
Ham & Mustard
and so on.....

Barbecue flavour on the other hand is an out-and-out imposter!

I'll give you ready salted, and salt and vinegar, but I can't agree with the others, they don't taste anything like their names. And I raise you:

Prawn
Roast Chicken

[Aitch]

Don't you find that interesting? I find that interesting.

Are you, by any chance, related to Steve 'Interesting' Davis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Davis)? ;)

[arthwollipot]

Are you, by any chance, related to Steve 'Interesting' Davis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Davis)? ;)No, but I am still a better snooker player than I am a pool player.

And don't get me started on billiards.

[UnrepentantSinner]

American muffins are just oversized fairy cakes or cup cakes. Tho in recent years the term muffin is more ubiquitous with what americans would recognise as a muffin.

Kind of, sort of. Cupcakes are usually made with chocolate or white cake batter and frosted or decorated with sweet sprinkles of some sort. Muffins aren't frosted.

Hmm, you may be right that scones and (US) biscuits are similar, but they're not exactly the same. I suspect scones are sweeter; they are usually eaten with jam and often clotted cream, as opposed to biscuits which are eaten as an accompaniment to meat with gravy (though your idea of gravy is somewhat different from ours :) ).

Proper scones are called scones in the U.S. Biscuits are called biscuits and, as was noted earlier, they are not served with brown gravy, but with a cream gravy that often has bits of sausage minced into it as a breakfast dish. They can also serve as a bread course for a meal or with butter, jam or for breakfast something savory like bacon, sausage or chicken (pan) fried steak.

Does clotted cream still not exist in the USA?

As Elizabeth noted, we can get it imported. Domestically produced? Not sure, though some artisan diary might make batches for local consumption.

I think of Velveeta as simulated cheese as well, although it does have a use, it makes good queso.

It says right on the box that Velveeta is "processed cheese food" not cheese.

[arthwollipot]

Kind of, sort of. Cupcakes are usually made with chocolate or white cake batter and frosted or decorated with sweet sprinkles of some sort. Muffins aren't frosted.Frosting = icing.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Frosting = icing.

They're used interchangably here. I'm not quite sure if it's even a regional thing.

[arthwollipot]

They're used interchangably here. I'm not quite sure if it's even a regional thing.As far as I know, we never use "frosting".

[zooterkin]

As far as I know, we never use "frosting".

I was just about to say the same thing, for the UK. Like many other words, though, it may well gain currency due to exposure to US TV programmes and films.

ETA: For example, I now regularly hear people saying, "Can I get..." rather than "Can I have..." when ordering coffee or food, particularly at fast-food places.

[Agatha]

We also wouldn't say cake batter, we'd say cake mixture - batter is for Yorkshire pudding or pancakes.

This thread (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=153958) reminded me of another gulf of misunderstanding. Jelly in the UK is what you in the US call jello. What you call jelly, we call jam.

[richardm]

I might as well get in first with this, as it's bound to come up:

they're pronounced 'skonns' NOT 'skoans'
...and once again y'all prove you don't know how to pronounce the language you allegedly invented (c.f. Cholmondelely, Thames...) :p


It is clearly 'skonn', otherwise the most excellent joke "What's the world's fastest food?' doesn't work.

[richardm]

Frosting = icing.

Icing sugar is called "powdered sugar" in parts of America. I wonder if it's more commonly icing sugar in places where you have icing, and powdered sugar where you have frosting?

[quadraginta]

We also wouldn't say cake batter, we'd say cake mixture - batter is for Yorkshire pudding or pancakes.

This thread (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=153958) reminded me of another gulf of misunderstanding. Jelly in the UK is what you in the US call jello. What you call jelly, we call jam.

Okay. So what do you call what we call jam?

[arthwollipot]

Icing sugar is called "powdered sugar" in parts of America. I wonder if it's more commonly icing sugar in places where you have icing, and powdered sugar where you have frosting?Icing and icing sugar.

Sugar's already a powder, isn't it?

Gas = petrol.

For us, to be described as "gas", it has to be... well, gaseous.

[richardm]

Sugar's already a powder, isn't it?


Not if it's granulated sugar or lumps ;)

Gas = petrol.

Yeah, short for gasoline though, which I suspect is an old brand name. Along with Jello, it's two examples that buck the claim made earlier in the thread that Americans don't use brand names as generic names so much as the UK (and Australia!).

[microdot]

Yeah should have had a smilier smiley in there, sorry

I'll give you ready salted, and salt and vinegar, but I can't agree with the others, they don't taste anything like their names. And I raise you:

Prawn
Roast Chicken

You just had to roll out the big guns, didn't you! :scared:

You win :mad:

[dafydd]

IN other words, Cheez Whiz was not the topic under question; Easy Cheese was.

There are several off-brands that are quite good, and have a higher content of actual cheese-related ingredients. Easy Cheese is less cheesy.

And none of these are actually 'aerosol' cheese...

Beside the point.

http://thingsintowhichonemightstickonesfingers.files.word press.com/2009/01/istockphoto_598636_spray_cheese.jpg

And this photo is titled 'Spray Cheese'.

http://iceicebabies.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/easy-cheese.jpg

[Agatha]

Okay. So what do you call what we call jam? I think we still call it jam. I did a quick investigoogle and my perception - please correct me if I am wrong - is that there is a distinction between jelly and jam according to how much fruit is in the finished product. We would call both products jam (caveat, I have seen jam with no discernible fruit in it called jelly over here, but that's usually limited to redcurrant jelly which is more of an accompaniment to roast game & poultry).

[quadraginta]

Not if it's granulated sugar or lumps ;)



Yeah, short for gasoline though, which I suspect is an old brand name. Along with Jello, it's two examples that buck the claim made earlier in the thread that Americans don't use brand names as generic names so much as the UK (and Australia!).


I kind of questioned that myself but didn't chime in at the time, for whatever reason.

Better late than never.

Crescent Wrench
Vice Grip
Channel Lock
Duck Tape. (The etymology there is really neat.)
Frisbee
Jet Ski

I'm sure there are many more I'm not coming up with right now.

Some I can think of were common in my youth but have fallen out of favor, so I won't add them.

I think perhaps that here in the U.S. many such terms are used without the user even being aware that they are actually trademarked brand names.

The Duck Tape one still makes me chuckle.

[skbuncks]

Noones yet mentioned the single greatest altenative crisp flavour yet ...

Worcester Sauce (2nd only to Cheese & Onion)



Piffle. I raise your Worchester sauce with Hendersons relish flavour.

http://yorkshirecrisps.co.uk/popup_image.php?pID=85

http://yorkshirecrisps.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=33&products_id=85

skb

[Lothian]

I think we still call it jam. I did a quick investigoogle and my perception - please correct me if I am wrong - is that there is a distinction between jelly and jam according to how much fruit is in the finished product. We would call both products jam (caveat, I have seen jam with no discernible fruit in it called jelly over here, but that's usually limited to redcurrant jelly which is more of an accompaniment to roast game & poultry).The Uk does have jelly’s but they tend not to be as popular as jam. The difference is in making a jelly you sieve the fruit first so it tends to be seedless. A jam contains the seeds. We also have fruit conserves, which can be jellies or jams. Conserves mainly differ by being 50p a jar more expensive.

[Fiona]

I think we still call it jam. I did a quick investigoogle and my perception - please correct me if I am wrong - is that there is a distinction between jelly and jam according to how much fruit is in the finished product. We would call both products jam (caveat, I have seen jam with no discernible fruit in it called jelly over here, but that's usually limited to redcurrant jelly which is more of an accompaniment to roast game & poultry).


Redcurrant jelly (and apple jelly and rowan) are made by boiling the fruit in water and straining through a jelly bag: then boiling with sugar. So they are really set fruit juice. Pectin sets it, rather than gelatine, so I suppose you could call it strained jam: but for me it is jelly because jam contains actual fruit.

[quadraginta]

I think we still call it jam. I did a quick investigoogle and my perception - please correct me if I am wrong - is that there is a distinction between jelly and jam according to how much fruit is in the finished product. We would call both products jam (caveat, I have seen jam with no discernible fruit in it called jelly over here, but that's usually limited to redcurrant jelly which is more of an accompaniment to roast game & poultry).


Here jelly is a fruit preserve made with fruit juice, sugar, and pectin if needed. Jam is the same except made with chopped or crushed fruit. The term "preserve" as well as being generic can sometimes be used for jams which aspire to more pretentiousness (bigger chunks of fruit, or bigger price tags, or both. :confused:).

[Guybrush Threepwood]

The apron does sound suitable, as does the getting drunk. It takes 24 hours to properly cook a brisket, however, and wood, or better yet, coals only, is the preferred fuel. Once you've had proper barbeque, you'll never confuse it with grilled meat again.

I just noticed this, and I'm assuming it's another difference. When you say coals here do you mean this: Coal (http://www.freefoto.com/preview/13-25-55?ffid=13-25-55) because I can't imagine eating anything cooked using that, except as a very indirect source of heat.

I have eaten what you folks call barbeque in a restaurant in Austin, so I know what you mean. It was very tasty, it just isn't what I mean when I say barbeque.

[quadraginta]

I just noticed this, and I'm assuming it's another difference. When you say coals here do you mean this: Coal (http://www.freefoto.com/preview/13-25-55?ffid=13-25-55) because I can't imagine eating anything cooked using that, except as a very indirect source of heat.

No. Coals for barbecuing are from burning down hardwood past the point of open flame. Usually this involves having a separate fire going to produce coals to add to the cooker or pit.

I know all about the other kind. I grew up in a county that dug up more than any other east of the Mississippi for a while.


I have eaten what you folks call barbeque in a restaurant in Austin, so I know what you mean. It was very tasty, it just isn't what I mean when I say barbeque.
There are great culture wars about barbecue here, with sauces, meats, cooking techniques and appropriate flavors of beer all points of fierce contention. I'm fortunate, 'cause I like all of them pretty much equally, and just nod cheerfully and say "Yum!" no matter whose I'm around.

ETA: Someone else mentioned this, but I'll second it. Wood fires are a must (preferably with hickory), anything else pales by comparison.

[Lothian]

I just noticed this, and I'm assuming it's another difference. When you say coals here do you mean this: Coal (http://www.freefoto.com/preview/13-25-55?ffid=13-25-55) because I can't imagine eating anything cooked using that, except as a very indirect source of heat.

I have eaten what you folks call barbeque in a restaurant in Austin, so I know what you mean. It was very tasty, it just isn't what I mean when I say barbeque.In the UK a barbeque is traditionally fuelled by newspaper, charcoal, 14 spent matches, 200ml of lighter fluid (Butane) and another match. It is traditional for the meat to be blackened on the outside whilst remaining raw in the middle.

[richardm]

No. Coals for barbecuing are from burning down hardwood past the point of open flame.

Charcoal, then, or nearly so. Charcoal is properly made by burning hardwood in such a way that air is mostly excluded, which doesn't sound the case with your separate fire, but near enough.

Interestingly enough in the light of the barbecuing connection here, the word "coal" was originally used to describe what we'd now call "charcoal".

Bonus fact: Much of the deforestation in my part of Scotland occurred to produce charcoal for the blast furnace at Bonawe.

[quadraginta]

In the UK a barbeque is traditionally fuelled by newspaper, charcoal, 14 spent matches, 200ml of lighter fluid (Butane) and another match. It is traditional for the meat to be blackened on the outside whilst remaining raw in the middle.

Lighter fluid (charcoal starter) is an abomination, not to be used by any serious aficionado of the grill. I use a charcoal chimney.

You threw me with the "Butane". Is that a brand name there? Here butane is used in disposable lighters, camp stoves, and similar applications where a gas under pressure is desired. It's not a liquid at STP.

You did accurately describe a properly grilled steak. :D

[Lothian]

Lighter fluid (charcoal starter) is an abomination, not to be used by any serious aficionado of the grill. I use a charcoal chimney.

You threw me with the "Butane". Is that a brand name there? Here butane is used in disposable lighters, camp stoves, and similar applications where a gas under pressure is desired. It's not a liquid at STP.May have got that wrong. Might be Naphtha,You did accurately describe a properly grilled steak. :DI was talking about chicken.

[quadraginta]

Charcoal, then, or nearly so. Charcoal is properly made by burning hardwood in such a way that air is mostly excluded, which doesn't sound the case with your separate fire, but near enough.

Interestingly enough in the light of the barbecuing connection here, the word "coal" was originally used to describe what we'd now call "charcoal".

Bonus fact: Much of the deforestation in my part of Scotland occurred to produce charcoal for the blast furnace at Bonawe.

I'm very familiar with charcoal, and its coal based cousin "coke". There were charcoal ovens for the old iron forges that dotted the mountains back in the 1700s, and then coke ovens for the coal. The usage we're discussing is just the old standard name for what you get as the fire burns low, No mysterious trans-Atlantic language morphs involved.

Bonus fact: Nearly all of the deforestation, water pollution, black lung, soil contamination, air pollution, and general environmental, human, and property damage in the part of West Virginia where I grew up occurred to produce coal for the steel mills at Pittsburgh and Wheeling. :mad:

ETA: Lots of Scots, Welsh, and Irish ended up there. What's that about?

[quadraginta]

I was talking about chicken.


Sheesh. That'll teach me to say something nice about British cooking.:duck:

[Jeff Corey]

Icing sugar is called "powdered sugar" in parts of America. I wonder if it's more commonly icing sugar in places where you have icing, and powdered sugar where you have frosting?

It's also called confectioner's sugar here.

[Elizabeth I]

I kind of questioned that myself but didn't chime in at the time, for whatever reason.

Better late than never.

Crescent Wrench
Vice Grip
Channel Lock
Duck Tape. (The etymology there is really neat.)
Frisbee
Jet Ski

I'm sure there are many more I'm not coming up with right now.

Some I can think of were common in my youth but have fallen out of favor, so I won't add them.

I think perhaps that here in the U.S. many such terms are used without the user even being aware that they are actually trademarked brand names.

The Duck Tape one still makes me chuckle.

Xerox
Mimeograph (now out of favor since the Xerox was invented)
Jell-o
Band-aid
Coke (for any carbonated soft drink, in some parts of the country)
Vaseline

[Ambrosia]

I think we still call it jam. I did a quick investigoogle and my perception - please correct me if I am wrong - is that there is a distinction between jelly and jam according to how much fruit is in the finished product. We would call both products jam (caveat, I have seen jam with no discernible fruit in it called jelly over here, but that's usually limited to redcurrant jelly which is more of an accompaniment to roast game & poultry).

Redcurrant jelly (and apple jelly and rowan) are made by boiling the fruit in water and straining through a jelly bag: then boiling with sugar. So they are really set fruit juice. Pectin sets it, rather than gelatine, so I suppose you could call it strained jam: but for me it is jelly because jam contains actual fruit.

I've no idea where the word jam comes from, possibly from jamming fruit into a jar, or meaning to crush something.

Technically a jelly is so called because it's a liquid that is gelled. there are a number of gelling agents used, traditionally pectin is used as it's already in the fruit in the first place, most commercially made jams and jellies have added pectin, tho some use other gelling agents like gelatine, more recently xanthan gum, guar gum, agar and carageen are used as well. (not all at the same time)

You can extract your own pectin easily from apple peelings. Take peelings from 6 or so apples, liquidise with water then boil gently for a few minutes. Sieve out the bits and then simmer gently until almost all the water has evaporated and you're left with a yellowy orange gelatinous paste.

Jam is made from fruit which is cooked with sugar, boiled to setting point, and then the whole lot set inside a jar. It was a way of preserving, or conserving, fruit that was out of season back in the days before refridgeration. Hence also being refered to as preserves or conserves. Today a conserve is generally a jam made to some "traditional" recipe, that actually has a decent amount of fruit in it and little or no added gelling agents, hence the higher price.

Marmalade (I don't know if you have this in the US) is a bitter sweet jam made from oranges. Traditionally Seville oranges were used as they a)taste bitter so are no good for eating as is. and b) have a higher pectin content and so gel better than normal oranges.

Thick cut bitter Marmalade, spread on hot buttered granary toast, makes an awesome breakfast.

[richardm]

the old standard name for what you get as the fire burns low

Ah, I'm with you now.

[Matthew Best]

Apparently, from what I'm reading in one of the Kanye West threads, in America you have something called "fish sticks". I'm guessing that these are what we call "fish fingers".

[Damien Evans]

Purple, in Australia. Blue is "Plain", green is "chicken", yellow is "cheese & onion".

Oh, btw, this is for Smith's Crisps, which IMO are still one of the better cheap brands of chips.

And barbecue is usually orange.

[quadraginta]

Apparently, from what I'm reading in one of the Kanye West threads, in America you have something called "fish sticks". I'm guessing that these are what we call "fish fingers".


Probably.

If we can have buffalo with wings it's only fair that you have fish with fingers.

:confused:

[Z]

We also wouldn't say cake batter, we'd say cake mixture - batter is for Yorkshire pudding or pancakes.

We have batter for cakes, pancakes, muffins, brownies... pretty much any bread product has batter, except cookies and bread, which have dough.

This thread (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=153958) reminded me of another gulf of misunderstanding. Jelly in the UK is what you in the US call jello. What you call jelly, we call jam.

Jell-O is a common-use brand name of gelatin. Jelly is the weakest of our fruit spreads - we also have jam, fruit spreads, preserves, compotes, and a few other such products. I tend to think of jelly as thick fruit juice; jam as fruit juice with seeds; preserves as a good mixture of actual fruit and jelly; fruit spreads as pretentious, expensive, and hard to spread; and compotes as being warm.

[Z]

Apparently, from what I'm reading in one of the Kanye West threads, in America you have something called "fish sticks". I'm guessing that these are what we call "fish fingers".

Some places sell them as fish fingers in the U.S. as well. Just as we have fish patties or fish portions. They're usually heavily battered mystery fish, often ground to unrecognizable status, served hot with ketchup or tartar sauce. Along with Sphagetti-Os, hot dogs, and macaroni and cheese, they are a basic staple food of the under 12 crowd.

[Marcus]

I just noticed this, and I'm assuming it's another difference. When you say coals here do you mean this: Coal (http://www.freefoto.com/preview/13-25-55?ffid=13-25-55) because I can't imagine eating anything cooked using that, except as a very indirect source of heat.

I have eaten what you folks call barbeque in a restaurant in Austin, so I know what you mean. It was very tasty, it just isn't what I mean when I say barbeque.

One of the best ways of making barbeque is to make a large wood fire(usually oak) at a seperate location. When the fire is well started(a few hours) and you have a large bed of hot coals(perhaps you call them embers) you take a shovel full of the hot coals and transfer them to the smoker, not directly under the meat, of course, but in the firebox off to the side.

ETA: I see quadraginta beat me to it.

[Marcus]

ETA: Someone else mentioned this, but I'll second it. Wood fires are a must (preferably with hickory), anything else pales by comparison.
Mesquite is also popular, I prefer adding mesquite chunks soaked in water to the firebox with a live oak fire rather than making the fire with all mesquite.

[Modified]

Cars are a rich source -- hood/bonnet, bumper/fender, boot/trunk

If bumpers are fenders, what do you call the fenders on a car that has both?

[zooterkin]

Just as we have fish patties

Round patties of fish and potato, covered in breadcrumbs? We call those fishcakes.

[Agatha]

If bumpers are fenders, what do you call the fenders on a car that has both?
I don't understand this question! Both what?

[Modified]

I don't understand this question! Both what?

The things that protect the front and back of your car from collisions (US bumpers), and the things that cover the wheels on a Plymouth Prowler (US fenders).

Or, what do you call the wheel covers on bicycles and motorcycles (http://images.google.com/images?q=bicycle+fender)?

[brodski]

Or, what do you call the wheel covers on bicycles and motorcycles (http://images.google.com/images?q=bicycle+fender)?
Mudgards

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&safe=off&sa=1&q=bicycle+mudgard&aq=f&oq=&aqi=&start=0

[brodski]

The things that protect the front and back of your car from collisions (US bumpers), [.quote] bumper

[quote]
and the things that cover the wheels on a Plymouth Prowler (US fenders).

"wings", but we rarely use the term.

[arthwollipot]

The Duck Tape one still makes me chuckle."Duck" tape?

It's Duct tape, so called because it was originally designed to tape ducts. Unless there's a brand of duct tape called Duck Tape, which by the rest of your post is implied, in which case whoever thought of it should be shot.

[quadraginta]

"Duck" tape?

It's Duct tape, so called because it was originally designed to tape ducts. Unless there's a brand of duct tape called Duck Tape, which by the rest of your post is implied, in which case whoever thought of it should be shot.


As I said, the etymology is amusing. Somewhat confused and a certain amount of controversy exists. Just good fun. See here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_tape#Etymology)for a brief primer if you're interested.

For what it's worth, there is a "Duck Tape" brand, and the copyright is owned by one of the biggie manufacturers, but it isn't part of the name story.

[arthwollipot]

Interesting. For my part, it appears that the terms "duct tape" and "gaff tape" are used interchangeably, although they are supposed to refer to two different things.

[quadraginta]

Interesting. For my part, it appears that the terms "duct tape" and "gaff tape" are used interchangeably, although they are supposed to refer to two different things.

Around here the term "gaff" or more properly "gaffer's" tape means pretty much the same thing. The roots are from the film industry, of course, where gaffer is roughly slang for electrician. (One of my sons is a "grip"). There are (I think?) some specialty tapes for the industry, one maybe having to do with directions it can tear easily, and of course colors. These specialty tapes are fairly unusual. Mostly it's the same tape, and the different names are usage dependent.

[UnrepentantSinner]

ETA: For example, I now regularly hear people saying, "Can I get..." rather than "Can I have..." when ordering coffee or food, particularly at fast-food places.

Oooof. Either "Can I" sounds like a kid ordering to me. I always to phrase my order as a statement - "I would like 2 Baja gorditas and a 7 Layer Burrito".

Icing sugar is called "powdered sugar" in parts of America. I wonder if it's more commonly icing sugar in places where you have icing, and powdered sugar where you have frosting?
It's also called confectioner's sugar here.

I've heard confectioner's used more in the Northeast and powdered used more in the south.

Yeah, short for gasoline though, which I suspect is an old brand name. Along with Jello, it's two examples that buck the claim made earlier in the thread that Americans don't use brand names as generic names so much as the UK (and Australia!).

I'm unfamiliar with any oil company called "Gasoline" that sold Gasoline brand petrol, benzine or motor fuel. As noted some petroleum related brands have become appellations (Vasoline for petroleum jelly) while others have not (Valvoline is a motor oil and lubriant brand, but all brands of motor oil are still referred to as just that). I don't think that gasoline is one of them.

I have eaten what you folks call barbeque in a restaurant in Austin, so I know what you mean. It was very tasty, it just isn't what I mean when I say barbeque.

Austin is a little more cosmopolitan and easy going that other parts of Texas, but I hope you didn't say these exact sentences when you were there eating it. ;)



Marmalade (I don't know if you have this in the US) is a bitter sweet jam made from oranges.

Orange marmalade is the only manifestation of it here that I'm aware of. Our version is sweet and is distinguished primarily from jam (see above discussion) by the presence of orange zest.

Apparently, from what I'm reading in one of the Kanye West threads, in America you have something called "fish sticks". I'm guessing that these are what we call "fish fingers".

Yes. Strips of whitefish battered and deep fried, more often than not referring to factory produced ones for home or industrial (schools, prisons, etc.) consumption.

Round patties of fish and potato, covered in breadcrumbs? We call those fishcakes.

Fishcakes aren't as common away from coastal areas as crabcakes are and we use breadcrumbs rather than potato here. There is on popular fishcake verision (at least in my family, and again with breadcrumbs) which we refer to as Salmon patties.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Around here the term "gaff" or more properly "gaffer's" tape means pretty much the same thing.

And don't forget a "gaff hook" or confuse a "gaff" with a "gaffe" (which I think the Brits refer to as a boner).

[arthwollipot]

Heck, not even we use the terms properly. I've heard people refer to packing tape as gaff tape. :nope:

[zooterkin]

Interesting. For my part, it appears that the terms "duct tape" and "gaff tape" are used interchangeably, although they are supposed to refer to two different things.

Well, the wikipedia page does note that in Australia, "duct tape" refers to what I'd call electrical or insulation tape. I don't think the term "duct tape" is used much in the UK, I think it usually gets called "gaffer tape" (which is apparently a version of duct tape designed to peel off cleanly); however, I hang around with some musicians, and they use gaffer tape to tape down their power leads, so I may not be representative.

[Jeff Corey]

This claims "duck tape" came before "duct tape". but may be apocryphal. http://www.octanecreative.com/ducttape/duckvsduct.html

[Fiona]

Have we had "baseball" and "rounders" ?

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Have we had "baseball" and "rounders" ?

Not yet but if you can gather together enough Forumites for two pickup teams, I'm willing to play either one. I'll bing the ball. :D

[Information Analyst]

In the UK a barbeque is traditionally fuelled by newspaper, charcoal, 14 spent matches, 200ml of lighter fluid (Butane) and another match. It is traditional for the meat to be blackened on the outside whilst remaining raw in the middle.
Most heard phrase: "I think this needs a few more minutes...."

[Information Analyst]

Marmalade (I don't know if you have this in the US) is a bitter sweet jam made from oranges. Traditionally Seville oranges were used as they a)taste bitter so are no good for eating as is. and b) have a higher pectin content and so gel better than normal oranges.
You can also get lemon marmalade. Pronounced "mar-ma-laid" and not "mar-ma-lard" of course.
Thick cut bitter Marmalade, spread on hot buttered granary toast, makes an awesome breakfast.
Frank Cooper's Vintage Oxford Marmalade + multiseed/granary bread toast = Heaven

[quadraginta]

This claims "duck tape" came before "duct tape". but may be apocryphal. http://www.octanecreative.com/ducttape/duckvsduct.html


The wiki article I cited discusses this as well as other possible origins. The "duct " version seems to have earliest documentation, but there are proponents of both roots.

Good fun.

[fleabeetle]

Something that just popped into my mind – don’t think that it’s been mentioned so far on this thread – if it has, then my apologies.

Different conventions UK / US – or were so till relatively recently – on a telephonic matter. Situation of, you can’t get through on the phone to someone, because they are already talking on the phone to someone else. Up to recent times, in this situation we in UK said the line was “engaged”; you in US said it was “busy”. Of late, “busy” in this context, has largely taken over in UK also.

This matter largely brought to mind, by thoughts of a friend of mine – a grouchy character who finds very many things in life, very annoying. Many Americanisms which get into British English, pee him off. He’s not anti-American as such, he just hates change… This “engaged / busy” one is a particular bête-noire of his – goads him almost to homicidal fury. “Telephones and telephone lines are inanimate [blank] objects – how the [blankety-blankety-blank] can they be [blank] busy? It just doesn’t [blank] make [blank] sense…” Seems to me, a trivial issue to get so upset over; but some people enjoy getting angry about things…

[Information Analyst]

This matter largely brought to mind, by thoughts of a friend of mine – a grouchy character who finds very many things in life, very annoying. Many Americanisms which get into British English, pee him off. He’s not anti-American as such, he just hates change… This “engaged / busy” one is a particular bête-noire of his – goads him almost to homicidal fury. “Telephones and telephone lines are inanimate [blank] objects – how the [blankety-blankety-blank] can they be [blank] busy? It just doesn’t [blank] make [blank] sense…” Seems to me, a trivial issue to get so upset over; but some people enjoy getting angry about things…
I react in a similar way every time some newspaper journalist/sub-editor lets through an "airplane" in some regurgitated news agency report because they're too lazy/ignorant to change it to "aeroplane".

[Fiona]

There are loads of those kinds of things, fleabeetle. The language changes and mostly that is fine: occasionally the neologism is worse, though: and then it jars. Delivered is one of mine: babies and post are delivered: not much else :) It is wholly irrational but there it is

[Guybrush Threepwood]

There are loads of those kinds of things, fleabeetle. The language changes and mostly that is fine: occasionally the neologism is worse, though: and then it jars. Delivered is one of mine: babies and post are delivered: not much else :) It is wholly irrational but there it is

Well, those and all your deliverables at work as well....

Unless you are lucky enough not to work in that kind of Industry

[Marcus]

Something that just popped into my mind – don’t think that it’s been mentioned so far on this thread – if it has, then my apologies.

Different conventions UK / US – or were so till relatively recently – on a telephonic matter. Situation of, you can’t get through on the phone to someone, because they are already talking on the phone to someone else. Up to recent times, in this situation we in UK said the line was “engaged”; you in US said it was “busy”. Of late, “busy” in this context, has largely taken over in UK also.

This matter largely brought to mind, by thoughts of a friend of mine – a grouchy character who finds very many things in life, very annoying. Many Americanisms which get into British English, pee him off. He’s not anti-American as such, he just hates change… This “engaged / busy” one is a particular bête-noire of his – goads him almost to homicidal fury. “Telephones and telephone lines are inanimate [blank] objects – how the [blankety-blankety-blank] can they be [blank] busy? It just doesn’t [blank] make [blank] sense…” Seems to me, a trivial issue to get so upset over; but some people enjoy getting angry about things…
At least that's one problem we don't have over here. The British usages are only to be found on boards like this, or perhaps in a book by a British author. I can see how it would be irritating if they found their way into general usage. The "engaged" thing seems a bit pretentious, I don't see how an inantimate object can be engaged easier than it can be busy.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

At least that's one problem we don't have over here. The British usages are only to be found on boards like this, or perhaps in a book by a British author. I can see how it would be irritating if they found their way into general usage. The "engaged" thing seems a bit pretentious, I don't see how an inantimate object can be engaged easier than it can be busy.

What has happened to the "American" spellings of "clew" and "nite" then? (even the Mozilla spell checker flags "nite" as a spelling error).

[brodski]

Delivered is one of mine: babies and post are delivered: not much else.

What about speeches and sinners?

[Information Analyst]

Delivered is one of mine: babies and post are delivered: not much else :) It is wholly irrational but there it is
Or, as my old English teacher was fond of saying, "pictures are hung, men are hanged!"

[quadraginta]

Or, as my old English teacher was fond of saying, "pictures are hung, men are hanged!"


Was this straight line unintentional, or is it just bait?

[Guybrush Threepwood]

What has happened to the "American" spellings of "clew" and "nite" then? (even the Mozilla spell checker flags "nite" as a spelling error).

So what do you Canadians call the aft lower corner of a sail then?

[Marcus]

What has happened to the "American" spellings of "clew" and "nite" then? (even the Mozilla spell checker flags "nite" as a spelling error).
I'm not sure what "clew" means, if it's an American word, it's probably an archaic spelling from the last century, language continually changes. "Nite" is sometimes used as abbreviation or slang, if it was ever an official spelling of "night" that's probably at least a century old as well. Neither of which was likely to have changed because of " British" influence. Perhaps there are some words that have changed for this reason, I just can't think of any.

[Marcus]

So what do you Canadians call the aft lower corner of a sail then?
Oh is that what a "clew" is? I've done a fair amount of sailing, I just wasn't familiar with it.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

I'm not sure what "clew" means, if it's an American word, it's probably an archaic spelling from the last century, language continually changes. "Nite" is sometimes used as abbreviation or slang, if it was ever an official spelling of "night" that's probably at least a century old as well. Neither of which was likely to have changed because of " British" influence. Perhaps there are some words that have changed for this reason, I just can't think of any.

I came to Canada from England in 1952. You notice things like this. "Clew" was the standard spelling for "clue" in the US detective novels I read at that time. "Nite" was pretty much standard in US publications. These have been replaced by the correct English spellings.

These, together with the dropping of the "u" in colour all seem to have originated with Ben Franklin's attempts to reform spelling. Some of his suggestions have stuck and others have not. Some have been reversed. ;)

[fleabeetle]

At least that's one problem we don't have over here. The British usages are only to be found on boards like this, or perhaps in a book by a British author. I can see how it would be irritating if they found their way into general usage. The "engaged" thing seems a bit pretentious, I don't see how an inantimate object can be engaged easier than it can be busy.

For sure – all this is not about making strict sense – just, finding workable “figures of speech” – and “what such found” really shouldn’t matter, except that it can be fun to talk about – and it’s something which is a hot button for some people.

My anti-“busy” friend and I, are both railway enthusiasts – in which field, various different usages on one and other side of Atlantic. Another pet hate of my friend’s, is the American locution “train station”, coming increasingly into use over here. He stoutly defends the long-time British alternative “railway station”, to the point of profane and apoplectic tirades (this guy will give himself a heart attack if he isn’t careful).

Other Brit / North American differences in this area of life, per my observation – British “engine driver / train driver”, American “engineer”. British “guard”, American “conductor”. The “station” business, as above – I’d long had the impression that a British “railway station” was an American “railroad depot” – presided over, on our side, by a “stationmaster”; on the American side, by a “station agent” (albeit the place tending to be called a “depot”). British “booking clerk”, American “ticket seller”. And – an item on the freight side of the business, now largely obsolete because of advances in technology – British “guard’s van” or “brake van”, American “caboose”. As far as I’m concerned, all adding to “the gaiety of nations”.

[Fiona]

Well, those and all your deliverables at work as well....

Unless you are lucky enough not to work in that kind of Industry

That is the very problem which I am referencing :) See what I mean? ;)

Though I grant Brodski's examples. :)

[Marcus]

Interesting. I have noticed that if you read 19th century American writings all the extra "u's" are there, I hadn't realized good ole Ben was responsible for their removal. Or maybe that's 18th century, Ben died in 1790. "Nite" makes sense to me, there is really no need for the "gh", but "clew" doesn't save any letters at all, it seems like a non-starter.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Interesting. I have noticed that if you read 19th century American writings all the extra "u's" are there, I hadn't realized good ole Ben was responsible for their removal. Or maybe that's 18th century, Ben died in 1790. "Nite" makes sense to me, there is really no need for the "gh", but "clew" doesn't save any letters at all, it seems like a non-starter.

Ben tried to reform US spelling and some people followed his suggestions and some did not. Note that such reforms generally not only try to "save letters" but also make spelling more phonetic. Phonetic reform tends to fail because people cannot agree on the "proper" pronunciation in the first place. ;)

[ktesibios]

I came to Canada from England in 1952. You notice things like this. "Clew" was the standard spelling for "clue" in the US detective novels I read at that time. "Nite" was pretty much standard in US publications. These have been replaced by the correct English spellings.


"Clew" goes back farther than that. Here's an excerpt from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~rgs/sawyr-table.html) (published in 1876) concerning events after Tom exposes Injun Joe as the murderer of Dr. Robinson:

Rewards had been offered, the country had been scoured, but no Injun Joe was found. One of those omniscient and awe-inspiring marvels, a detective, came up from St. Louis, moused around, shook his head, looked wise, and made that sort of astounding success which members of that craft usually achieve. That is to say, he "found a clew." But you can't hang a "clew" for murder, and so after that detective had got through and gone home, Tom felt just as insecure as he was before.

BTW, another difference between British and American usage that I've noticed is that the Brits often use "engineer" where Americans would use "technician". If I had the same job I do in the USA but in a studio in the UK I would be referred to as the "maintenance engineer". I personally prefer "tech guy" or sometimes "keeper of the clue".

[Elizabeth I]

I'm not sure what "clew" means, if it's an American word, it's probably an archaic spelling from the last century, language continually changes. "Nite" is sometimes used as abbreviation or slang, if it was ever an official spelling of "night" that's probably at least a century old as well. Neither of which was likely to have changed because of " British" influence. Perhaps there are some words that have changed for this reason, I just can't think of any.

I have heard "clew" defined as a string or thread used to mark a path - for example, the string that Theseus trailed behind him so that he could find his way out of the Labyrinth.

A "clue" is evidence that might be used to solve a puzzle or mystery.

ETA: understood, they have often be used interchangeably, and there's a symbolic similarity that can be easily seen.

[Jeff Corey]

Jest to clew yew in:
clew 1 (kl)
n.
1. A ball of yarn or thread.
2. Greek Mythology The ball of thread used by Theseus to find his way out of the labyrinth.
3. clews The cords by which a hammock is suspended.
4. also clue
Nautical
a. One of the two lower corners of a square sail.
b. The lower aft corner of a fore-and-aft sail.

[BTMO]

Maybe "clew" was just a spelling mistake that was picked up by pulp fiction authors...?

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Maybe "clew" was just a spelling mistake that was picked up by pulp fiction authors...?

I don't have a clue. :o

[Debaser]

BTW, another difference between British and American usage that I've noticed is that the Brits often use "engineer" where Americans would use "technician". If I had the same job I do in the USA but in a studio in the UK I would be referred to as the "maintenance engineer". I personally prefer "tech guy" or sometimes "keeper of the clue".

This is a relatively recent phenomenon (possibly as late as the Eighties) to make certain jobs sound better than they are and thus raise the status while retaining the same (low) level of pay. Listen to British documentaries from the Sixties talking about Concord or our atom bomb and rocketry work and technicians are always mentioned alongside engineers. Nowadays the word technician has disappeared in everyday language.

It is used within the technical/engineering disciplines. I am now classed as a Highway Engineer, but I started my career as a Junior Technician, subsequently moving up to Technician and then Senior Technician, finally becoming an Engineer.

In addition, 'engineer' is not a protected title in the UK.

[Fitter]

This is a relatively recent phenomenon (possibly as late as the Eighties) to make certain jobs sound better than they are and thus raise the status while retaining the same (low) level of pay. Listen to British documentaries from the Sixties talking about Concord or our atom bomb and rocketry work and technicians are always mentioned alongside engineers. Nowadays the word technician has disappeared in everyday language.

It is used within the technical/engineering disciplines. I am now classed as a Highway Engineer, but I started my career as a Junior Technician, subsequently moving up to Technician and then Senior Technician, finally becoming an Engineer.

This is probably (in part) down to the fact that 'engineer' is not a protected title.
This happens in Canada also. As my Dad says "It's cheaper to give someone a title than a pay raise".

[Elizabeth I]

This happens in Canada also. As my Dad says "It's cheaper to give someone a title than a pay raise".

...which is why banks have so many vice-presidents.

[Marcus]

This is a relatively recent phenomenon (possibly as late as the Eighties) to make certain jobs sound better than they are and thus raise the status while retaining the same (low) level of pay. Listen to British documentaries from the Sixties talking about Concord or our atom bomb and rocketry work and technicians are always mentioned alongside engineers. Nowadays the word technician has disappeared in everyday language.

It is used within the technical/engineering disciplines. I am now classed as a Highway Engineer, but I started my career as a Junior Technician, subsequently moving up to Technician and then Senior Technician, finally becoming an Engineer.

In addition, 'engineer' is not a protected title in the UK.
This art has been raised to absurd levels of political correctness in the U.S., sanitation engineer for garbagemen, sanitary engineer for janitors,challenged instead of disabled, and my favorite, vertically challenged for short people(most often used as a parody of the various "challenged" designations).

[dafydd]

This art has been raised to absurd levels of political correctness in the U.S., sanitation engineer for garbagemen, sanitary engineer for janitors,challenged instead of disabled, and my favorite, vertically challenged for short people(most often used as a parody of the various "challenged" designations).

Yes,any day now I'm expecting to hear that fat people in the USA are 'horizontally challenged''.

[Debaser]

Something that always gets me when watching Americana on TV or film is the use of 'bug' as a catch-all for any and every type of insect. I'm no entymologist but I would tend to differentiate a ladybird from an ant or butterfly or bee if I could.

Also, we have 'mum', 'mam' and 'ma', depending on the region of Britain (or the British Isles) you are from, but I've never* heard 'mom' used for mother.





(*With the exception of 'stars' who have gone to and failed to make it in the US, but who strangely acquired a mid-Atlantic accent somewhere along the line).

[Marcus]

Yes,any day now I'm expecting to hear that fat people in the USA are 'horizontally challenged''.
Or "gravitationally challenged":)

[fleabeetle]

An expression slightly different in its UK and American forms – have become aware of the difference since starting to spend a good deal of time on largely-American-populated Internet forums ! A metaphor for someone vigorously, but rather pointlessly, putting a case to people who on the whole, already agree with the proponent about the matter concerned. We in the UK say “preaching to the converted”; in the US, it’s “preaching to the choir”.

The American form annoys me a little. A trivial reason for annoyance – it’s a figure of speech after all, and teasing out the sense is not rocket science – but there it is. The UK expression conveys the meaning precisely; but the “choir” version: I nit-pickily feel that quite possibly, some members of a church choir will be in it first and foremost because they enjoy singing – they may lack solid religious conviction. My late father, for instance, was an atheist; but loved, and enthusiastically took part in, choral singing – including oratorio.

[Marcus]

"Preaching to the converted" doesn't sound right to me(of course) but doesn't rise to the level of annoyance like a lot of UK expressions. A big yes to internet forums, in fact I wan't aware of most of these British expressions or spellings before I came to JREF.

[Rogue1stclass]

Yes,any day now I'm expecting to hear that fat people in the USA are 'horizontally challenged''.

Wouldn't that be "horizontally gifted or enhanced"?

[wollery]

Or "gravitationally challenged":)Wouldn't someone who was gravitationally challenged just float off into space?

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Wouldn't someone who was gravitationally challenged just float off into space?

So anti-gravity challenged then? :duck:

[Marcus]

Wouldn't someone who was gravitationally challenged just float off into space?
That would be gravitationally gifted.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

That would be gravitationally gifted.

Better response than mine! ;)

[wollery]

That would be gravitationally gifted.No, someone who is gravitationally gifted would have more gravity, so they'd be bigger.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

No, someone who is gravitationally gifted would have more gravity, so they'd be bigger.

Good point! I take back what I said to Marcus. :o

[ZirconBlue]

Something that always gets me when watching Americana on TV or film is the use of 'bug' as a catch-all for any and every type of insect.

Actually "bug" encompasses more than just insects. It's basically a catch-all for both insects and arachnids, and, "ladybug" not withstanding, tends to refer to annoying or "creepy" creatures. So, a butterfly, despite being an insect, is not typically referred to as a "bug", but many spiders are.

[Marcus]

Actually "bug" encompasses more than just insects. It's basically a catch-all for both insects and arachnids, and, "ladybug" not withstanding, tends to refer to annoying or "creepy" creatures. So, a butterfly, despite being an insect, is not typically referred to as a "bug", but many spiders are.
Don't forget bacteria and viruses. It's such a useful little word.

[zooterkin]

Xerox
Mimeograph (now out of favor since the Xerox was invented)
Jell-o
Band-aid
Coke (for any carbonated soft drink, in some parts of the country)
Vaseline

Not to mention Kleenex for paper tissue.

[fleabeetle]

"Preaching to the converted" doesn't sound right to me(of course) but doesn't rise to the level of annoyance like a lot of UK expressions. A big yes to internet forums, in fact I wan't aware of most of these British expressions or spellings before I came to JREF.

Isn't there a biblical quote: "He that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow" ? :)

[Elizabeth I]

Not to mention Kleenex for paper tissue.

Forgot that one!

[ZirconBlue]

Not to mention Kleenex for paper tissue.

We might use the generic "tissue" instead of Kleenex, but "tissue paper" is something completely different, and "paper tissue" is right out.

[Pope130]

I've noticed an interesting one: In England your "Local" is your neighborhood pub. In the US it's your Union Chapter House.

[BTMO]

Actually "bug" encompasses more than just insects. It's basically a catch-all for both insects and arachnids, and, "ladybug" not withstanding, tends to refer to annoying or "creepy" creatures. So, a butterfly, despite being an insect, is not typically referred to as a "bug", but many spiders are.

Actually, "bug" has a specific meaning. It refers to the order Hemiptera....

.. which are (broadly) insects with sucking mouthparts and "half" wings.

:D

[KarlG]

Hmm, you call them boogers, we call them bogeys (or in my neck of the woods, boggles) :)

[cyborg]

Yes,any day now I'm expecting to hear that fat people in the USA are 'horizontally challenged''.

Pie-eating-challenged-and-accepted.

[Agatha]

Union Chapter House. What is this, thankyouplease?

[cyborg]

What is this, thankyouplease?

Sounds like a Working Men's Club...

[Jeff Corey]

I've noticed an interesting one: In England your "Local" is your neighborhood pub. In the US it's your Union Chapter House.

It's called a "union hall".

[Pope130]

What is this, thankyouplease?

The local office of an Employee Union. As Jeff Corey noted, also called a Union Hall (or sometimes Hiring Hall, it varies by region and Union). As used it would typically appear as a self identification: "I'm a member of Plumbers Local 123."

To confuse things, some Union Locals have bars in their meeting rooms, so you might here a couple of workers in either England or America talk of going down to the local for a drink.

Robert

[UnrepentantSinner]

Have we had "baseball" and "rounders" ?

Possibly, but they're two different games so they don't count for this conversation.

{truncate}The "engaged" thing seems a bit pretentious, I don't see how an inantimate object can be engaged easier than it can be busy.

Agreed. "In use" would be the most appropriate term IMO if people want to get pedantic about it.

Something that always gets me when watching Americana on TV or film is the use of 'bug' as a catch-all for any and every type of insect. I'm no entymologist but I would tend to differentiate a ladybird from an ant or butterfly or bee if I could.

Also, we have 'mum', 'mam' and 'ma', depending on the region of Britain (or the British Isles) you are from, but I've never* heard 'mom' used for mother.

You hear "Ma" most in the Northeast, while "mama" (pronounced "maw-mah") is heard more in the South.

Actually "bug" encompasses more than just insects. It's basically a catch-all for both insects and arachnids, and, "ladybug" not withstanding, tends to refer to annoying or "creepy" creatures. So, a butterfly, despite being an insect, is not typically referred to as a "bug", but many spiders are.
Don't forget bacteria and viruses. It's such a useful little word.
Actually, "bug" has a specific meaning. It refers to the order Hemiptera....

BTMO, ZB is noting that we use bug as a generic term for insects and arachnids (and sometimes crustaceans - crawfish are called "mud bugs" in some areas). I'd like to think that we can blame it on the computer age, but the laziness when it comes to proper terminology long pre-dates it.
Interestingly, "software bug" is an urban myth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_bug).

[arthwollipot]

(and sometimes crustaceans - crawfish are called "mud bugs" in some areas).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moreton_bay_bug

Delicious!

[Debaser]

A couple of civil engineering ones.

The piece of concrete that raises the footway from the carriageway is spelled kerb not curb. One curbs ones enthusiasm (if one has any in the first place).

The stuff we dig through, that makes up the ground is soil, not dirt.

It's concrete...not in no way and nohow is it ever mud. Children play with mud, engineers play...erm...work...with concrete.

[Marcus]

Footway and carriageway? Are those the names for sidewalk and street? Are cars carriages(or something else?)

We use soil also, but it implies something more than dirt, nice organic material that's good for growing things.

[Debaser]

Footway and carriageway? Are those the names for sidewalk and street? Are cars carriages(or something else?)

Well they were, once upon a time. Those are actually the engineering terms;
Footway for pedestrians,
Cycleway for cyclists,
Carriageway for vehicles.
(Similarly pavement is really the engineering term for the structure of the carriageway, but is the term used in the UK for the 'sidewalk').

[Jeff Corey]

...BTMO, ZB is noting that we use bug as a generic term for insects and arachnids (and sometimes crustaceans - crawfish are called "mud bugs" in some areas)...

I've heard lobstermen here and in Maine call lobsters "bugs". Around here, it usually refers to the larval stage., but Down East, the adults.

[arthwollipot]

Well they were, once upon a time. Those are actually the engineering terms;
Footway for pedestrians,
Cycleway for cyclists,
Carriageway for vehicles.
(Similarly pavement is really the engineering term for the structure of the carriageway, but is the term used in the UK for the 'sidewalk').Down here, the only survival of the word "carriageway" is in the term "dual carriageway" (ie, divided road), but we don't see it very often any more.

[Jeff Corey]

Do you drive on the parkway and park in the driveway?

[Debaser]

Do you drive on the parkway and park in the driveway?


We park on our drives, of course.

Colonials!?

[wollery]

Do you drive on the parkway and park in the driveway?Nope, we drive on the motorway and park in the drive.

[Debaser]

Nope, we drive on the motorway and park in the drive.

Unless we're in Sheffield, UK

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheffield_Parkway



I believe all this is our answer to 'War Plan Red'. Stick your ICBMs, we'll just confuse you with our road signs and colloquialisms until you are jibbering wrecks.

[quadraginta]

Unless we're in Sheffield, UK

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheffield_Parkway



I believe all this is our answer to 'War Plan Red'. Stick your ICBMs, we'll just confuse you with our road signs and colloquialisms until you are jibbering wrecks.


Is that 'going native'?

[mummymonkey]

I heard underbrush for the first time the other day. I'm assuming it's the same as undergrowth.

[ZirconBlue]

I heard underbrush for the first time the other day. I'm assuming it's the same as undergrowth.

I thought "underbrush" was the opposite of "comb-over".

[wollery]

I believe all this is our answer to 'War Plan Red'. Stick your ICBMs, we'll just confuse you with our road signs and colloquialisms until you are jibbering wrecks.Road signs?

What road signs?

ETA, just direct them to Swindon - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_(Swindon)

[Jeff Corey]

Incredible. I had to go around the Dublin Airport roundabout 1.6 times to exit. I would still be in that one.

[Jeff Corey]

That's some rotary, erm, roundabout. How about the term "car park"? Here's one, all Cadillacs. http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasArt/Images/CadillacRanchTX120507MMHarris3.jpg

[Dr Adequate]

What's a hyperbolic cosine doing in a crime novel? You haven't read Conan Doyle's The Hyperbolic Cosine of Four?

[zooterkin]

Here's another, pint and pint.

UK is 20 fl. oz, and in metric is 568.26 mL, while the U.S. version is 16 U.S. fluid ounces and is equivalent to 473 mL

A pint is also a general term for a drink in a pub, usually, but not always, an actual pint of beer, e.g. "Are you going for a pint after work?". What would the US equivalent be?

[quadraginta]

Here's another, pint and pint.

UK is 20 fl. oz, and in metric is 568.26 mL, while the U.S. version is 16 U.S. fluid ounces and is equivalent to 473 mL

A pint is also a general term for a drink in a pub, usually, but not always, an actual pint of beer, e.g. "Are you going for a pint after work?". What would the US equivalent be?


All over the scale.

In a fern bar you might need to order a pitcher to get 16 oz. worth. Most of the blue collar bars where I grew up were prone to use a 22 oz. milkshake "glass".

Or anywhere in between.

One of my personal favorite haunts 'back in the day' had a mug club for the regular patrons. You left the mug, stein, etc. of your choice behind the bar, where it was racked up on prominent display with its fellows. Size, shape, and material were up to the patron.

[Aitch]

One of my personal favorite haunts 'back in the day' had a mug club for the regular patrons. You left the mug, stein, etc. of your choice behind the bar, where it was racked up on prominent display with its fellows. Size, shape, and material were up to the patron.

They used to do that in British pubs; I think Health & Safety/Hygiene laws put paid to the practice. Or possibly the Weights and Measures people. :confused:

[Guybrush Threepwood]

They used to do that in British pubs; I think Health & Safety/Hygiene laws put paid to the practice. Or possibly the Weights and Measures people. :confused:

That and the fact it was a guaranteed indicator of the Pub bore

[quadraginta]

That and the fact it was a guaranteed indicator of the Pub bore


In this particular case, at least, it was mostly the members of the several dart teams that played out of that bar and their sundry SO's and friends.

Maybe you need to frequent a better class of pub?

[Matthew Best]

Here's one that I have noticed a lot lately - mostly due to the Roman Polanski case.

Many US posters seem to use "plead" as the past participle (is that the right part of speech?) of the verb "to plead" (i.e. "Polanski plead guilty in 1977"). I would probably write "pled" or "pleaded". "Plead" just looks wrong, quite apart from anything else.

[arthwollipot]

Something I noticed recently.

Americans refer to a "railway tie". We have "sleepers".

[gtc]

Railway terminology differs greatly between the UK and the US. One difference is point vs switch for the place where two lines diverge.

[ZirconBlue]

Something I noticed recently.

Americans refer to a "railway tie". We have "sleepers".


I always heard "railroad tie", assuming you're talking about the wooden supports across which the rails lie. In general, we use "railroad" a lot more than "railway".

[arthwollipot]

I always heard "railroad tie", assuming you're talking about the wooden supports across which the rails lie. In general, we use "railroad" a lot more than "railway".Sorry, yes. You're right - railroad ties. Yes, I'm talking about the wooden parts. In Lego trains, you use an 8x2 flat piece. We call them railway sleepers. When they've reached the end of their life on the railway, we use them in our gardens.

[Elizabeth I]

Here's one that I have noticed a lot lately - mostly due to the Roman Polanski case.

Many US posters seem to use "plead" as the past participle (is that the right part of speech?) of the verb "to plead" (i.e. "Polanski plead guilty in 1977"). I would probably write "pled" or "pleaded". "Plead" just looks wrong, quite apart from anything else.

That's because a bunch of us were never taught to spell, and are confused by "lead" (the metal) vs. "led" (past tense/participle of the verb "to lead," meaning to guide or conduct.) I see lots of people who write "lead" when they mean "led." (At least from the context of the sentence.)

So if "lead" (Pb) is pronounced as it is, they assume that "plead" in the past tense must be the same.

[arthwollipot]

That's because a bunch of us were never taught to spell, and are confused by "lead" (the metal) vs. "led" (past tense/participle of the verb "to lead," meaning to guide or conduct.) I see lots of people who write "lead" when they mean "led." (At least from the context of the sentence.)

So if "lead" (Pb) is pronounced as it is, they assume that "plead" in the past tense must be the same.Is this like the "lose/loose" problem?

[ZirconBlue]

That's because a bunch of us were never taught to spell, and are confused by "lead" (the metal) vs. "led" (past tense/participle of the verb "to lead," meaning to guide or conduct.) I see lots of people who write "lead" when they mean "led." (At least from the context of the sentence.)

So if "lead" (Pb) is pronounced as it is, they assume that "plead" in the past tense must be the same.

Or maybe it's because they've heard "pled" on legal shows, but see that the Firefox spellchecker has identified it as a misspelling, so they assume that "plead" is the correct spelling.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Here's one that I have noticed a lot lately - mostly due to the Roman Polanski case.

Many US posters seem to use "plead" as the past participle (is that the right part of speech?) of the verb "to plead" (i.e. "Polanski plead guilty in 1977"). I would probably write "pled" or "pleaded". "Plead" just looks wrong, quite apart from anything else.

That's just sloppy spelling and I think Liz is right on the source of it. I haven't heard any commentator say "Polanski pleed guilty in 1977" so it's confusion over the spelling, not the present/past forms of the word.

[Matthew Best]

That's just sloppy spelling and I think Liz is right on the source of it.

I would have thought you were right, but when I was googling to see if I could find anything about this I found this:

http://boaltalk.blogspot.com/2008/02/pleaded-v-pled.html

{quote]I regret to inform you that the difference between "pleaded and "pled" is that "pled" is not a word. The past tense/past participle of "plead" is "pleaded." [/quote]

and this:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/plead

plead
Verb
[pleading, pleaded, plead] or esp Scot & US pled

So now I don't now what to think.

[Elizabeth I]

I would have thought you were right, but when I was googling to see if I could find anything about this I found this:

http://boaltalk.blogspot.com/2008/02/pleaded-v-pled.html

{quote]I regret to inform you that the difference between "pleaded and "pled" is that "pled" is not a word. The past tense/past participle of "plead" is "pleaded."

and this:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/plead



So now I don't now what to think.

I have heard pleaded in a non-legal context ("He pleaded with the gunman not to shoot him") but in a legal plea I have always heard pled ("He pled 'not guilty' to the charge of mopery").

Maybe we could just leave "plead" alone and change the whole thing to "beg."

[Beerina]

Anti-Clockwise is said to leave the Americans with their Counter-Clockwise befuddled, vice versa.

Let's split the difference and call it "widdershins". :duck:


Where did the split in Math and Maths come from?

Hmmm, maybe there's a larger issue here. Does one side shorten a plural word by dropping the "s" along with the rest of the end, while the other side preserves the plurality?

Well, both sides probably study "autos". And one side has "ads", but the other, "adverts". And one side, chicks, the other, sheilas. Wait, I'm getting my island nations confused. :mad:

[Beerina]

Sorry, yes. You're right - railroad ties. Yes, I'm talking about the wooden parts. In Lego trains, you use an 8x2 flat piece. We call them railway sleepers. When they've reached the end of their life on the railway, we use them in our gardens.

As do we. And they're worth a ton of money thanks to the shabby sheik trend the past 20 years. My uncle used a bunch as a dirt wall to line a stairs up to his front door from his garage door, 1 story below.

In the us, "sleeper" in reference to a railroad means a railcar that people sleep in. And nobody uses one anymore, aside from extended sightseeing train trips, but at least people have "heard of it."


"Polanski pleed guilty in 1977"

However, I have heard "pleaded" used in that context. And according to m-w.com, pleaded, pled, and plead (as past tense, pronounced as pled) are all acceptable.

[Fiona]

OED says:

Plead,v, Pa. t. and pple.. pleaded; also pled (now Sc.,dial., and US)

Hope that helps

[Jeff Corey]

Anyone ever hear "the collywobbles" or "the grippe" for flu symptoms?

[RSLancastr]

One such phrase I've thought about over the past year is "In hospital" (UK) vs, "In the hospital" (US).

[NoZed Avenger]

In America, the crowd is going wild, while in the UK, the crowd are going wild.

[ZirconBlue]

In America, the crowd is going wild, while in the UK, the crowd are going wild.

Who knew crowds could be so unruly?

[arthwollipot]

In America, the crowd is going wild, while in the UK, the crowd are going wild.Haven't heard that one. "Crowd" is a singular noun. You can have crowds of people (and say that the crowds of people are going wild), but I've never heard a plural verb paired with the singular noun.

[Elizabeth I]

Haven't heard that one. "Crowd" is a singular noun. You can have crowds of people (and say that the crowds of people are going wild), but I've never heard a plural verb paired with the singular noun.

I think British English sometimes uses collective nouns as if they referred to every single member or component that makes up the noun, instead of the collective group. I have also seen "committee" used as a plural, as in "the committee are considering their options."

[arthwollipot]

I think British English sometimes uses collective nouns as if they referred to every single member or component that makes up the noun, instead of the collective group. I have also seen "committee" used as a plural, as in "the committee are considering their options."Although I have heard the latter, I can't say I've heard the former. But then again, I'm Australian, not English.

[Elizabeth I]

Although I have heard the latter, I can't say I've heard the former. But then again, I'm Australian, not English.

So you use Australian English, not English English?

[quadraginta]

So you use Australian English, not English English?

Once, on another forum, I was helping someone try and figure out why his Firefox spellchecker wasn't working. It turned out that the version he had installed didn't come with a pre-loaded dictionary.

He was from NZ, and bemoaned the fact that although Firefox provided several flavors of English dictionary to choose from Kiwi wasn't one of them. Torn between British English and Australian English he chose the Australian dictionary ...

... because it was smaller.

[arthwollipot]

So you use Australian English, not English English?Indeed. Australian English is, in my experience, closer to English English than American English is. We at least use the same spelling. :p

[UnrepentantSinner]

I was just reading the TAM London thread and came up with another one.

U.K. - A long distance to travel: apparently 100 miles/160 km.
U.S. - A long distance to travel: a minimum of 500 miles/800 km.

Indeed. Australian English is, in my experience, closer to English English than American English is. We at least use the same spelling. :p

Ironically everything in your post is spelled the same as it would in American English. :D

[Damien Evans]

Indeed. Australian English is, in my experience, closer to English English than American English is. We at least use the same spelling. :p

Oh, it's much closer. Other than some slang and outback terminology, they're to all intents and purposes the same.

You must remember with this, until Australia Day 1949, we were still British citizens, not Australian. So the ties are much closer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_nationality_law#Acquisition_of_Australi an_Citizenship_-_26_January_1949

[quadraginta]

Indeed. Australian English is, in my experience, closer to English English than American English is. We at least use the same misspelling. :p


Fixed that.

[arthwollipot]

Ironically everything in your post is spelled the same as it would in American English. :DAh. Humour.

[zooterkin]

I was just reading the TAM London thread and came up with another one.

U.K. - A long distance to travel: apparently 100 miles/160 km.
U.S. - A long distance to travel: a minimum of 500 miles/800 km.




That's a variation on the saying that in the UK a hundred miles is a long distance, in the USA, a hundred years is a long time.

[UnrepentantSinner]

That's a variation on the saying that in the UK a hundred miles is a long distance, in the USA, a hundred years is a long time.

Ach, true. I should have said "was reminded of" than insinuated that it was the advent of something novel.

[Matthew Best]

I think British English sometimes uses collective nouns as if they referred to every single member or component that makes up the noun, instead of the collective group. I have also seen "committee" used as a plural, as in "the committee are considering their options."

In the UK we would probably say that the Who are a good group, whereas I presume in the US you would say that Led Zeppelin is a good group.

[brodski]

One such phrase I've thought about over the past year is "In hospital" (UK) vs, "In the hospital" (US).

In the UK (with regional variations of cource) we use both phrases, "in hospital" means receiving treatment and "in the hospital;" just means that someone is physically on hospital grounds. Much like the distinction us American English between being "in school" (attending classes) and being "in the school" (physical location).

[brodski]

Haven't heard that one. "Crowd" is a singular noun. You can have crowds of people (and say that the crowds of people are going wild), but I've never heard a plural verb paired with the singular noun.

As every Englishman knows, it's "Some of the crow are on the pitch".

[ZirconBlue]

In the UK we would probably say that the Who are a good group, whereas I presume in the US you would say that Led Zeppelin is a good group.

I think so. It gets really confusing when the band name is a plural (eg. The Beatles, The Scorpions, etc.).



ETA: Now that I think about it, I think it's actually just "Scorpions", not "The Scorpions."

[Elizabeth I]

In the UK (with regional variations of cource) we use both phrases, "in hospital" means receiving treatment and "in the hospital;" just means that someone is physically on hospital grounds. Much like the distinction us American English between being "in school" (attending classes) and being "in the school" (physical location).

Interestingly, in the states, if referring to somebody having their physical location at a hospital, I have mostly heard exactly that, "at the hospital."

"Where's the doctor?" "He's at the hospital."

[brodski]

As every Englishman knows, it's "Some of the crow are on the pitch".

Points for spotting the missing "d".

[Rat]

Incidentally, reading through this thread, I feel I should point out that whether it is over a pit of coal or in a metal thingy in one's back yard, it is a barbecue on both sides of the Atlantic. I don't care (in this instance) about language changing over time, or prescriptive vs descriptive, or any of that; if people continue to write 'barbeque', I will think to myself "what's a barbekway?" As I'm feeling generous, you may, if you must, abbreviate to BBQ.

[ZirconBlue]

Points for spotting the missing "d".

How can we spot it if it's not there?

[dropzone]

How many posts did I ignore? Six-hundred eighty-six? That was both irresponsible and predictable of me. :(

I'm reading a DK book about famous sports cars. About 100 large, glossy, and full-color pages. It shoulda cost me an arm and a leg, but Borders made money selling it for US$5.99 even though most of the misspellings and Anglicanisms were caught. Kids, I've been reading Road & Track since 1967. I know what a boot, a bonnet, etc are. Give your younger readers to work it out from contexts, the way I did. :mad:

[brodski]

How can we spot it if it's not there?

It's a bit like a spot the ball competition.

[jimbob]

As every Englishman knows, it's "Some of the crow are on the pitch".

Points for spotting the missing "d".


I thought about mentioning it, but thought you might be emulating Henry Blofeld on TMS...

EDIT: For those who don't listen to TMS, this is (IMO) the best sports commentary programme in any broadcast media. As cricket isn't the fastest of games, there is plenty of time for stream of conciousness, and Blofeld is particularly adept at prone to talking about pigeons on the pitch.

I have heard it alleged that the audience actually increases when rain stops play...

[ZirconBlue]

I thought about mentioning it, but thought you might be emulating Henry Blofeld on TMS...

Any relation to the Bond villain?

[jimbob]

Any relation to the Bond villain?

Allegedly Ian Fleming didn't like his father

Just as he didn't like Ernő Goldfinger

*That* is proper British passive-aggression: Write a set of spy stories and name the villains after people who you slightly dislike.


ETA: No: Wiki says (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Stavro_Blofeld):

Blofeld was named after Tom Blofeld (father of Henry), who attended Eton College with Fleming.[2] He and Fleming belonged to the same London club and, when seeking a name for his villain, Fleming flicked alphabetically through the membership lists, lighting upon the name Blofeld as being suitably villainous.

[Jeff Corey]

How do you pronounce "aunt". I pronoun it "awnt", others nearby say "ant". I grew up in Connecticut and my maternal grandmother (Irish) was from Boston. Around here, some black people say "awnt". So one time when I was talking about an aunt of mine, my friend Elwood Godson says, "Where did you learn to say aunt like that?"
"Probably from my father who learned it from my grandmother."
"Shoot! Your gramma was black?"
.

[gtc]

Like Arnold Drummond but with a T.

[arthwollipot]

Yeah - not everyone has an American accent.

Open wide and say "AAahhhnt"

[dafydd]

I say Auntie (anty)

[Akhenaten]

Do American ants call their Aunties Anty? What about black ants?

This is all very confusing.

[Jeff Corey]

My ant is anti that.

[Aitch]

Aunts and Aunties are different; where I come from at least*.

Aunts are tall and thin, smell of mothballs and/or lavendar, sniff a lot and are easily shocked by rude jokes.

Aunties are shorter and rounder, smell of Chanel and/or gin**, laugh a lot and TELL rude jokes.

Or maybe that's just my family. :cool:


* Manchester.
** Occasionally Guiness

[dafydd]

Aunts and Aunties are different; where I come from at least*.

Aunts are tall and thin, smell of mothballs and/or lavendar, sniff a lot and are easily shocked by rude jokes.

Aunties are shorter and rounder, smell of Chanel and/or gin**, laugh a lot and TELL rude jokes.

Or maybe that's just my family. :cool:


* Manchester.
** Occasionally Guiness
Posh aunties are aunts.

[Akhenaten]

You aunt making that up are you?

[Pure Argent]

Aunts and Aunties are different; where I come from at least*.

Aunts are tall and thin, smell of mothballs and/or lavendar, sniff a lot and are easily shocked by rude jokes.

Aunties are shorter and rounder, smell of Chanel and/or gin**, laugh a lot and TELL rude jokes.

Or maybe that's just my family. :cool:


* Manchester.
** Occasionally Guiness

Over here*, I've never heard anyone actually refer to someone as an auntie**.

*American midwest.

**Except when referring to this (http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mad%20Auntie). Popular deck, for a while.

[Silly Green Monkey]

I learned from books and other word pronunciations, so I never figured out how the au- sound in aunt would be different from the one in author, for example. Everyone else used ant though, and thought my way of saying it was weird.

[Jeff Corey]

Here's another opinion. http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=aunt&submit=Submit
Which the Pommey barstard got wrong. No Amerkin sez ant with that snotty nasal thing.

[arthwollipot]

Over here*, I've never heard anyone actually refer to someone as an auntie**.I've got an Auntie Sally, and an Auntie Jan, and an Auntie Peggy, and an Auntie Jack...

[UnrepentantSinner]

How do you pronounce "aunt". I pronoun it "awnt", others nearby say "ant". I grew up in Connecticut and my maternal grandmother (Irish) was from Boston.

Mom's sister from Boston - Awnt Charlotte.
Dad's sister from Houston - Ant Louanne.

Not for any particular reason than I just heard it pronounced one way or the other based on who was being referred to.

[Damien Evans]

I've got an Auntie Sally, and an Auntie Jan, and an Auntie Peggy, and an Auntie Jack...

KnEOr1MgwTM

If you don't, I'll rip yer bloody arms off!

[quadraginta]

KnEOr1MgwTM

If you don't, I'll rip yer bloody arms off!


This thread has lost a lot of ground since its inception.

I blame Oz.

:p

[gtc]

What do you get if you cross Auntie Jack with Uncle Sam?

A deodarant that will rip yer bloody arms off.

QNJP4mn6SD8

[Akhenaten]

This thread has lost a lot of ground since its inception.

I blame Oz.

:p





I proudly accept this accolade.

[commandlinegamer]

I think so. It gets really confusing when the band name is a plural (eg. The Beatles, The Scorpions, etc.).



ETA: Now that I think about it, I think it's actually just "Scorpions", not "The Scorpions."

Ask yourself if you would replace their name with he/she or they. Not difficult,

E.g. The Who are a good group. They are a good group. Cliff Richard is a crap singer. He is a crap singer.

Remember the Frankie T-shirts. Genuine ones should be Frankie Say Relax, as Frankie refers to a group not an individual even though the title allegedly came from a magazine story about Sinatra.

[Akhenaten]

Thanks for clearing that up. We've been waiting for some time.

[quadraginta]

Which one's Pink?

[Z]

Which one's Pink?

Whichever one got spanked the most.

[Aitch]

Which one's Pink?

Him (http://www.wirz.de/music/andepink/grafik/andepink.jpg). :cool:

[dafydd]

Ask yourself if you would replace their name with he/she or they. Not difficult,

E.g. The Who are a good group. They are a good group. Cliff Richard is a crap singer. He is a crap singer.

Remember the Frankie T-shirts. Genuine ones should be Frankie Say Relax, as Frankie refers to a group not an individual even though the title allegedly came from a magazine story about Sinatra.

The band took their name from an old headline in Variety magazine that said ''Frankie Goes To Hollywood''. The single was ''Relax''.

[Akhenaten]

Thanks for clearing that up.

[Fiona]

I noticed recently that americans say "on accident" whereas I would say "by accident". Since I would say "on purpose" I wonder where that comes from

[Pure Argent]

No idea, but I tend to switch back and forth between "on accident" and "by accident", so maybe I'm not the one to ask.

[Z]

I noticed recently that americans say "on accident" whereas I would say "by accident". Since I would say "on purpose" I wonder where that comes from

I say 'accidentally'.

[Akhenaten]

I noticed recently that americans say "on accident" whereas I would say "by accident". Since I would say "on purpose" I wonder where that comes from





Somewhat similarly, my usual way of saying accidental is "I meant to do that."

[ZirconBlue]

Ask yourself if you would replace their name with he/she or they. Not difficult,

E.g. The Who are a good group. They are a good group. Cliff Richard is a crap singer. He is a crap singer.

That all makes sense. However, I'm not sure that's how we do it in the US. In any event, whatever the rule is, with band names either the singular ones or the plural ones are going to sound weird:

Scorpions is. . .

or

Oasis are. . .

[quadraginta]

I noticed recently that americans say "on accident" whereas I would say "by accident". Since I would say "on purpose" I wonder where that comes from


I've never heard an American say that. Maybe it's regional.

[shawmutt]

I have a tendency to pick up accents and such, so you can imagine it's been an interesting journey being brought up in Connecticut with a British grandmother, Scot-Irish Canadian grandparents on the other side (who did most of my raising, I get the odd eh? popping out in my questions from time to time), with a dad who was addicted to anything DiNero or Pesci (you tawkin' to me???), and then moving down to Maryland and getting a taste of Appalachia (oil is pronounced ol, and odd "r"'s turn up in words like wa(r)sh. I even change my cadence to match my accent. Sometimes it's a big jumble of accents. It's very weird and I'm not sure what my accent is anymore.

As far as words, motorcycle/motorbike and tire/tyre are the ones I noticed.

[Aitch]

Somewhat similarly, my usual way of saying accidental is "I meant to do that."

I'll stick to "Oops!", if that's OK with you. ;)

[Akhenaten]

Hell yeah.

See also: "I shouldn't have done that, but if I don't look, there won't be any blood, so I'll be OK"

*faints*

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Hell yeah.

See also: "I shouldn't have done that, but if I don't look, there won't be any blood, so I'll be OK"

*faints*

Eh? :confused:

[Akhenaten]

Hell yeah.

See also: "I shouldn't have done that, but if I don't look, there won't be any blood, so I'll be OK"

*faints*





Eh? :confused:





I was talking about what you say to yourself when you do something accidental, like when you're washing up and you grab something sharp in the sink but you'd rather not look.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

I was talking about what you say to yourself when you do something accidental, like when you're washing up and you grab something sharp in the sink but you'd rather not look.

Oh. Sorry. Please forget I asked. :o

[CORed]

I like how Ulster folk pronounce Northern Ireland...."Nor'n Iron".

:)

Soda...or Pop?

You decide.

That one varies even within the US. In the East, it's soda, in the West, it's pop.

[The Fallen Serpent]

I've never heard an American say that. Maybe it's regional.

Saying "on accident" is common on the west coast at least.

That one varies even within the US. In the East, it's soda, in the West, it's pop.

That was more true when I was younger. Now I hear both almost equally but in different situations. Soda seems more for near formal statements, such as being offered a drink by a host, or waitstaff taking an order. Pop appears to be used more often when it is out of the blue or when thinking out loud. I still occasionaly run into east coasters that are unfamiliar with just "pop." It is very rare that I hear the full term of soda pop any longer.

[quadraginta]

Saying "on accident" is common on the west coast at least.

<snip>


Nope. That doesn't help. I've got cousins that have lived in San Diego and Oceanside since the sixties. My mom was born in Carmel. My grandparents lived in Menlo Park for thirty years. My sister is in Seattle. And I was born in Oakland.

I guess I just missed it somehow. :confused: ;)

[Elizabeth I]

That one varies even within the US. In the East, it's soda, in the West, it's pop.

In the south, it's "Coke," regardless of actual flavor or brand name: "You want a Coke?" "Yeah, you got any Dr. Pepper?"

[dafydd]

That one varies even within the US. In the East, it's soda, in the West, it's pop.

In the south of Scotland it's ginger.

[Mark the Hiker]

Nope. That doesn't help. I've got cousins that have lived in San Diego and Oceanside since the sixties. My mom was born in Carmel. My grandparents lived in Menlo Park for thirty years. My sister is in Seattle. And I was born in Oakland.

I guess I just missed it somehow. :confused: ;)
I am from the western US also. I have always considered "on accident" to be a mistake that children make.

[jimbob]

I am from the western US also. I have always considered "on accident" to be a mistake that children make.

Maybe they said it by purpose?

[jimbob]

There was actually a serious point to my previous post:

Why do we use different prepositions depending on whether it was intentional or not?

[Akhenaten]

There was actually a serious point to my previous post:

Why do we use different prepositions depending on whether it was intentional or not?





I don't think there's any reason of it. It just happens for accident.

[Matty]

Xerox
Mimeograph (now out of favor since the Xerox was invented)
Jell-o
Band-aid
Coke (for any carbonated soft drink, in some parts of the country)
Vaseline

Not to mention Kleenex for paper tissue.

I think it’s interesting that in the British generically use the term “Cotton Buds”, a trademark of Johnson & Johnson for swabs, whereas in the US they are always referred to as “Q-Tips”, a trademark of Unilever. OK - it's not that interesting, but you would think that Americans would use an American company's product name and Brits would use a British company's product name, not the other way round.

[Aitch]

The fact that Q-Tips (http://www.qtips.com/history.php) were originally called Baby Gays is always good for a smile. :)

[The Fallen Serpent]

Nope. That doesn't help. I've got cousins that have lived in San Diego and Oceanside since the sixties. My mom was born in Carmel. My grandparents lived in Menlo Park for thirty years. My sister is in Seattle. And I was born in Oakland.

I guess I just missed it somehow. :confused: ;)

QUOTE=Mark the Hiker;5357539]I am from the western US also. I have always considered "on accident" to be a mistake that children make.[/QUOTE]

I have heard it used from the Bay area to Seattle. I have lived on the west coast my entire life. Perhaps we just talk to different people. It might be wrong but I do hear it on the west coast as often as I hear by accident. :shrugs:

EDIT: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/on-accident-versus-by-accident.aspx
It appears to be age related and a recent change. If it helps I am 28 years old so that could be why I hear both "on accident" and "by accident" commonly.

[Akhenaten]

I think it’s interesting that in the British generically use the term “Cotton Buds”, a trademark of Johnson & Johnson for swabs, whereas in the US they are always referred to as “Q-Tips”, a trademark of Unilever. OK - it's not that interesting, but you would think that Americans would use an American company's product name and Brits would use a British company's product name, not the other way round.





Just to add to the mix, I had a look at my generic box of these . . . things, and they're called 'Cotton Tips'. Looks like someone is having an each-way bet.


The fact that Q-Tips (http://www.qtips.com/history.php) were originally called Baby Gays is always good for a smile. :)





I can't think of a way to make 'Baby Gays' sound unweird. Smiling anyway.

[quadraginta]

QUOTE=Mark the Hiker;5357539]I am from the western US also. I have always considered "on accident" to be a mistake that children make.

I have heard it used from the Bay area to Seattle. I have lived on the west coast my entire life. Perhaps we just talk to different people. It might be wrong but I do hear it on the west coast as often as I hear by accident. :shrugs:

EDIT: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/on-accident-versus-by-accident.aspx
It appears to be age related and a recent change. If it helps I am 28 years old so that could be why I hear both "on accident" and "by accident" commonly.[/quote]


Yep. In my case that would explain it.

See how educational this place is? Before this thread I would have thought that was an obscure British usage like "in hospital", only one so obscure I'd never heard it before.

Now I now that it's obscure 'cause I'm an ageist old fart.

[Matthew Best]

If you ever go on a package holiday from the UK, you will be told by your holiday rep that you will be spending your time "in resort", which has always sounded weird to me, even though I'm British.

[arthwollipot]

I'm reviving this thread because I saw an interesting usage while reading Crispian Jago's latest children's book (http://crispian-jago.blogspot.com/2010/01/ladybird-book-of-homeopathic-treatment.html), about homeopathy.

Here's the first instance, which made me confused:

Samuel wanted to make poorly people feel better...It happens again:

Sadly, modern medicines aren't perfect and scientists still have to work really hard to find lots of new medicines to help stop some people from beccoming very poorly.Now as far as I'm concerned, this is just bad grammar. Someone can feel poorly, I guess, or they can act poorly, but they cannot be poorly. They certainly can't become poorly. "Poorly" is an adverb - it has to modify the verb. It is not an adjective. If I say something like "I became poorly", my meaning is that I wasn't very good at becoming. It says nothing about what I was becoming, just that I did so poorly.

One is sick, one is not poorly. You can't refer to "poorly people" - it just doesn't make any sense!

[quadraginta]

I'm reviving this thread because I saw an interesting usage while reading Crispian Jago's latest children's book (http://crispian-jago.blogspot.com/2010/01/ladybird-book-of-homeopathic-treatment.html), about homeopathy.

Here's the first instance, which made me confused:

It happens again:

Now as far as I'm concerned, this is just bad grammar. Someone can feel poorly, I guess, or they can act poorly, but they cannot be poorly. They certainly can't become poorly. "Poorly" is an adverb - it has to modify the verb. It is not an adjective. If I say something like "I became poorly", my meaning is that I wasn't very good at becoming. It says nothing about what I was becoming, just that I did so poorly.

One is sick, one is not poorly. You can't refer to "poorly people" - it just doesn't make any sense!


FWIW, I'm not familiar with that usage, and I grew up where I would have had a good chance of hearing it.

Just as a minor nitpick, though, it can be used as an adjective ...

poorly (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/poorly)


–adverb 1. in a poor manner or way: The team played poorly.
–adjective 2. in poor health; somewhat ill: I hear she's been poorly.
[/nitpick]

[Rat]

You don't have, say, miserly people in Australia?

[Rat]

Actually, now I think of it, I remember many years ago seeing an episode of Neighbours where some (I think) kids of Jim Robinson took a trip with Helen Robinson to England for some reason, and commented to her that they had met some children in London (a peculiarly old-fashioned London, as I recall) and were confused by the word poorly. She explained it to them. I don't know whether she was a scholar of international versions of English or whether it used to be used in Australian, though.

[Jeff Corey]

You don't have, say, miserly people in Australia?

Scrooges? Miserly means cheap, ungenerous, impecunious and a right bastard. They don't give to the poorly.

[Rat]

They don't give to the miserly either.

[Akhenaten]

You don't have, say, miserly people in Australia?





Nup. Everyone is generously.


Scrooges? Miserly means cheap, ungenerous, impecunious and a right bastard. They don't give to the poorly.





Oh, those? Yeah, we havily heaps of themly.


They don't give to the miserly either.





Oftenly? Orphanly! *


* Apologetically to Piratelies from Penzancely.