Shard

Sorry, late to the party. Here's a recent observation: bonkers ! That was never said in the US back in the day, now even Anderson Cooper is bonkers this, bonkers that. Quite bonkers really. Of course I don't think the verbal form has crossed the Atlantic yet.

S Folinsky

Hmm, I’ve never thought of the term as particularly British. But according to this article in The Atlantic, the word crossed into American English decades ago.

Rete

When I worked for Bing and Grondahl Copenhagen Porcelain, Inc. in their NY office, our President and the CFO were from Denmark, our VP was from England. Over the years working there, I started using terms such as bullocks, bloody, etc. I picked up from David. Still use them today.

It is not only the spelling which is different, i.e. US = controlling and UK controling but the use of words. While the US would say "he was or is sitting in the dining room", a Brit would say "he was or is sat in the dining room".

robin1234

That piece in The Atlantic was good. So bonkers seems to have arisen in British English in the 40s, and adopted in American English as early as 1965.

Here’s an interesting piece from the BBC.

https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-19929249

I think it raises an interesting general point; how accurate are our own perceptions of whether a usage is British or American? One example;

“Apartment” has a very old British usage. I’m pretty sure you’ll find it in Jane Austen, for instance. And, AFAIK, “flat” has always been used in America. For instance, in New York, the expression “cold water flat,” meaning a low-class apartment that doesn’t have hot water supply, is ancient.

Nutmegger

Interesting that the article cites "gobsmacked," as reading the last few entries in this thread I was thinking that was something that I never heard when I was first in the US -- and lo and behold, there is a comment that completely reflects my experience with the word!

lizzyq

There are differences in usage which can cause confusion too, for example "to table a motion" has completely opposite meanings on each side of the pond.

Nutmegger

I've mentioned this before, but it continues to drive me -- well, bonkers! US commentators always say, "The proof is in the pudding," as if something is hiding amongst the plums, causing me to scream, "No, it isn't! It's in the eating!!!"

spouse of scouse

Has anyone mentioned 'fanny' yet?

Lion in Winter

Similar annoyance - "First come, first serve". What? If I get there early I have to work as a waiter?

Lion in Winter

No, but I'm sure they will soon.

Also, "shagging flies".

Nutmegger

Would that be my aunt fanny?

spouse of scouse

I started to go there, then thought better not

lizzyq

Shagging flies was a new one to me just last year, and how Americans think that "fanny pack" is less pejorative than "bum bag" beats me

Lion in Winter

Unusually restrained of you.

spouse of scouse

That's the one, she's either an arse or a.........come to think of it, that can't be your aunt fanny