American words you HAVE adopted
Mar 15th 2012, 6:05 am
#333
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,193
Re: American words you HAVE adopted
By way of background, I've been here almost 30 years and would say my accent/vocabulary is 98% 'American'. It's not a conscious effort, but I don't hang out with any Brits, my partner is Filipino, and I don't watch Brit shows, so I have no 'exposure' to any Brit influence. I say 'tomayto', 'wadder', 'skedule', etc.
My mum is visiting from UK at the moment. Today, in a discussion with a bunch of Americans at work, I said 'my office is a tip'. They had no idea what I meant, and I have not used that expression ('tip') in 30 years. When talking to my mum at home yesterday, I heard myself say 'tomahhhto'. This is not due to any conscious effort either; it just 'sounds right'. A guy said 'since your mom arrived, your British accent is returning'.
I would bet good money that if I went back to UK to live tomorrow, that within 1 year I'd sound like any other Brit again.
I find it strange that some Brits worry that they may be 'losing their identity', and they fight the idea of using American phrases and pronunciations ...
My mum is visiting from UK at the moment. Today, in a discussion with a bunch of Americans at work, I said 'my office is a tip'. They had no idea what I meant, and I have not used that expression ('tip') in 30 years. When talking to my mum at home yesterday, I heard myself say 'tomahhhto'. This is not due to any conscious effort either; it just 'sounds right'. A guy said 'since your mom arrived, your British accent is returning'.
I would bet good money that if I went back to UK to live tomorrow, that within 1 year I'd sound like any other Brit again.
I find it strange that some Brits worry that they may be 'losing their identity', and they fight the idea of using American phrases and pronunciations ...
Mar 15th 2012, 12:48 pm
#334
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,580
Re: American words you HAVE adopted
By way of background, I've been here almost 30 years and would say my accent/vocabulary is 98% 'American'. It's not a conscious effort, but I don't hang out with any Brits, my partner is Filipino, and I don't watch Brit shows, so I have no 'exposure' to any Brit influence. I say 'tomayto', 'wadder', 'skedule', etc.
My mum is visiting from UK at the moment. Today, in a discussion with a bunch of Americans at work, I said 'my office is a tip'. They had no idea what I meant, and I have not used that expression ('tip') in 30 years. When talking to my mum at home yesterday, I heard myself say 'tomahhhto'. This is not due to any conscious effort either; it just 'sounds right'. A guy said 'since your mom arrived, your British accent is returning'.
I would bet good money that if I went back to UK to live tomorrow, that within 1 year I'd sound like any other Brit again.
I find it strange that some Brits worry that they may be 'losing their identity', and they fight the idea of using American phrases and pronunciations ...
My mum is visiting from UK at the moment. Today, in a discussion with a bunch of Americans at work, I said 'my office is a tip'. They had no idea what I meant, and I have not used that expression ('tip') in 30 years. When talking to my mum at home yesterday, I heard myself say 'tomahhhto'. This is not due to any conscious effort either; it just 'sounds right'. A guy said 'since your mom arrived, your British accent is returning'.
I would bet good money that if I went back to UK to live tomorrow, that within 1 year I'd sound like any other Brit again.
I find it strange that some Brits worry that they may be 'losing their identity', and they fight the idea of using American phrases and pronunciations ...
Mar 15th 2012, 2:21 pm
#335
Life goes on.
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 23,661
Re: American words you HAVE adopted
This has to be the most winningest thread ever. 
Mar 15th 2012, 2:26 pm
#336
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,580
moment?
Mar 15th 2012, 2:52 pm
#338
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,580
Re: American words you HAVE adopted
Did you just have a http://www.smileyvault.com/albums/us.../aug08_031.gifmoment?
Mar 15th 2012, 3:36 pm
#341
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Mar 15th 2012, 3:45 pm
#343
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: American words you HAVE adopted
You're looking well there, by the way
Mar 15th 2012, 3:49 pm
#344
Life goes on.
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 23,661
Re: American words you HAVE adopted
Mar 15th 2012, 3:52 pm
#345
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: American words you HAVE adopted
