American words/expressions you don't like
Sep 14th 2011, 2:11 pm
#106
I have a comma problem
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Sep 14th 2011, 2:15 pm
#107
Sursum corda
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Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
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Sep 14th 2011, 2:17 pm
#108
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: American words/expressions you don't like
I've got quite a few of my mates saying they're 'going for a slash' now, they quite like that one.
When I say 'quite a few', I do, of course, mean all 3 of them
When I say 'quite a few', I do, of course, mean all 3 of them
Sep 14th 2011, 2:19 pm
#109
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: American words/expressions you don't like
Sep 14th 2011, 2:20 pm
#110
BE Site Lead
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Location: MA, USA
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Re: American words/expressions you don't like
Actually you are right!! My first name and surname has two Z's in them...noone understood me when I spelled it out as ZED...I said to hubby that im British and we say ZED...until he pointed out that im now in America and if he was in UK he would go with the flow and use the common language. I now use ZEE......I never thought it would be the hurdle it has been for me to use it! Crazy (with a zee 
) really. Maybe its an identity thing which I didnt know about!!! He does look at me proudly tho whenever I use Americanisms!! 
) really. Maybe its an identity thing which I didnt know about!!! He does look at me proudly tho whenever I use Americanisms!! Though it really does depend on location, just like the water thing, some places it really isn't a problem, others it is a pain in the arse.
Sep 14th 2011, 2:21 pm
#111
I have a comma problem
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Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Sep 14th 2011, 2:21 pm
#112
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
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Re: American words/expressions you don't like
"Slash" is a bit of a genteel euphemism, though. Call a spade a spade, "point percy at the porcelain."
Sep 14th 2011, 2:21 pm
#113
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Re: American words/expressions you don't like
But they are all male right? I don't think women would generally use that expression would they? It would certainly raise eyebrows here if a woman said "she was going to see a man about a horse..."
Sep 14th 2011, 2:22 pm
#114
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Location: MA, USA
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Re: American words/expressions you don't like
Sep 14th 2011, 2:24 pm
#115
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: American words/expressions you don't like
What they couldn't do is use my mate from back home's favoured expression: "I'm away to count my knobs" . . .
Sep 14th 2011, 2:25 pm
#116
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Sep 14th 2011, 2:36 pm
#117
Sursum corda
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Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Re: American words/expressions you don't like
It is funny come to think of it, we always had and called it Sunday dinner which was served at noon time, but the rest of the week the big meal served at eventide was supper which we pronounced "suppah." 
My father's mother named herself Nana since she felt she was too young to be called Grandmother etc when my aunt made her one ( I think she was in her early 40s). I never heard any of my friends call their grandmothers that though, it was either mémère, grandma etc. Then when I moved to southern Ohio, it became mam-maw.
My father's mother named herself Nana since she felt she was too young to be called Grandmother etc when my aunt made her one ( I think she was in her early 40s). I never heard any of my friends call their grandmothers that though, it was either mémère, grandma etc. Then when I moved to southern Ohio, it became mam-maw.
Sep 14th 2011, 2:38 pm
#118
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Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Vermont
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Re: American words/expressions you don't like
I prefer having a pee, or spending a penny, but I much more refined than you probably 
That made me laugh (a lot).
Sep 14th 2011, 2:41 pm
#119
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Location: Vermont
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Re: American words/expressions you don't like
It is funny come to think of it, we always had and called it Sunday dinner which was served at noon time, but the rest of the week the big meal served at eventide was supper which we pronounced "suppah."
My father's mother named herself Nana since she felt she was too young to be called Grandmother etc when my aunt made her one ( I think she was in her early 40s). I never heard any of my friends call their grandmothers that though, it was either mémère, grandma etc. Then when I moved to southern Ohio, it became mam-maw.
My father's mother named herself Nana since she felt she was too young to be called Grandmother etc when my aunt made her one ( I think she was in her early 40s). I never heard any of my friends call their grandmothers that though, it was either mémère, grandma etc. Then when I moved to southern Ohio, it became mam-maw.
I don't mind 'nana' better than 'granny' I think.
Sep 14th 2011, 2:43 pm
#120
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: American words/expressions you don't like
'Wee wee' would be the traditional one, I suppose. Us blokes usually aren't as refined as you ladies though, of course!