British Expats
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British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)
-   The Trailer Park (https://britishexpats.com/forum/trailer-park-96/)
-   -   A language question (https://britishexpats.com/forum/trailer-park-96/language-question-729870/)

Elvira Aug 26th 2011 3:28 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by General Tojo (Post 9583406)
On accident? Very odd. Do they say something is 'on the cards' or 'in the cards'? I'm thinking I might have heard Americans use the latter.
God knows what Americans would say, but 'on the cards' means it's possible or likely' that something may happen.

'In the cards' presumably means somebody has had his or her Tarot cards read...

SultanOfSwing Aug 26th 2011 3:29 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by Elvira (Post 9583477)
God knows what Americans would say, but 'on the cards' means it's possible or likely' that something may happen.

'In the cards' presumably means somebody has had his or her Tarot cards read...
So 'in the cards' is the polar opposite of 'on the cards' then :sneaky:

Sally Redux Aug 26th 2011 3:34 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing (Post 9583476)
One I don't like (which is probably also pretty universal) is saying things like "I am liking this" instead of "I like this". Not sure if it is wrong but it never sits right with me.
Yes I'm not lovin' that one.

SultanOfSwing Aug 26th 2011 3:35 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by Sally Redux (Post 9583488)
Yes I'm not lovin' that one.
Vom-worthy :eek:

S Folinsky Aug 26th 2011 3:55 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by nethead (Post 9583270)
My kids have a habit of saying something happened 'on' accident instead of 'by' accident which doesn't sound right to me. I thought it was just them and some type of kid talk then I heard an adult the other day say it, so don't know whether it's an American thing or a regional thing??
Don't know. However, when Americans "queue up" -- people on the East Coast tend to say "stand on line" while West Coast people tend to say "stand in line." I've heard people actually argue about that one.

SultanOfSwing Aug 26th 2011 3:57 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by S Folinsky (Post 9583526)
people on the East Coast tend to say "stand on line"
Cool - so people in NYC have solved space issues by making people queue standing on each others' heads?

I like that one :)

Tarkak9 Aug 26th 2011 4:04 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by Sally Redux (Post 9583488)
Yes I'm not lovin' that one.
? .............

http://dingo.care2.com/pictures/c2c/...502565_370.jpg

Sally Redux Aug 26th 2011 4:05 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by Tarkak9 (Post 9583535)
:thumbup:

Englishman43 Aug 26th 2011 4:06 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing (Post 9583530)
Cool - so people in NYC have solved space issues by making people queue standing on each others' heads?

I like that one :)
One I found weird. Was asking the wife what she's been up to and she said "Visiting"
I said " Who did you visit"
She said " My sister came over"

Apparently if someone drops over to your house to see you you are still "Visiting" with them ? ( At least in Illinois where she's from )

Sally Redux Aug 26th 2011 4:09 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by Englishman43 (Post 9583540)
One I found weird. Was asking the wife what she's been up to and she said "Visiting"
I said " Who did you visit"
She said " My sister came over"

Apparently if someone drops over to your house to see you you are still "Visiting" with them ? ( At least in Illinois where she's from )
Yes I've heard that. Maybe it's the 'with' that means one has stayed at home.

SultanOfSwing Aug 26th 2011 4:10 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by Englishman43 (Post 9583540)
One I found weird. Was asking the wife what she's been up to and she said "Visiting"
I said " Who did you visit"
She said " My sister came over"

Apparently if someone drops over to your house to see you you are still "Visiting" with them ? ( At least in Illinois where she's from )
This is quite true - I live in Illinois and they do use the term 'visiting' with someone irrespective of who came to see whom. Also you get told stuff like 'take your coat off and visit for a while'.

Not really annoying that one though. Not when there's people running around saying "I can't be beat", as if they're immune to fatigue in some way :sneaky:

Sally Redux Aug 26th 2011 4:12 am
Re: A language question
 
One I don't like is "Shut UUUP!" meaning "Gosh, you don't say?"

nethead Aug 26th 2011 4:13 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by Sally Redux (Post 9583554)
One I don't like is "Shut UUUP!" meaning "Gosh, you don't say?"
Hmm I don't know, I'm liking it more than anything that starts with gosh or golly :p:rofl:

Sally Redux Aug 26th 2011 4:16 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by nethead (Post 9583557)
Hmm I don't know, I'm liking it more than anything that starts with gosh or golly :p:rofl:
Do I not like that :lol:

SultanOfSwing Aug 26th 2011 4:20 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by nethead (Post 9583557)
Hmm I don't know, I'm liking it more than anything that starts with gosh or golly :p:rofl:
Gaaaahhhh!!!!

Any sentence containing the words 'gosh', 'dang', 'gee', 'heck' and the like piss me off no end. Just ****ing swear and be done with it, you won't melt. The prudish 1950s mentality that seems to persist here makes me want to projectile vomit.

(No offense :o)

nethead Aug 26th 2011 4:22 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing (Post 9583569)
Gaaaahhhh!!!!

Any sentence containing the words 'gosh', 'dang', 'gee', 'heck' and the like piss me off no end. Just ****ing swear and be done with it, you won't melt. The prudish 1950s mentality that seems to persist here makes me want to projectile vomit.

(No offense :o)
Hey I'm not offended I agree with you, it was Sally who said gosh ;)

SultanOfSwing Aug 26th 2011 4:26 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by nethead (Post 9583570)
Hey I'm not offended I agree with you, it was Sally who said gosh ;)
I added the no offense because there are Americans that I quite like who read this thread :lol:

cindyabs Aug 26th 2011 4:35 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing (Post 9583569)
Gaaaahhhh!!!!

Any sentence containing the words 'gosh', 'dang', 'gee', 'heck' and the like piss me off no end. Just ****ing swear and be done with it, you won't melt. The prudish 1950s mentality that seems to persist here makes me want to projectile vomit.

(No offense :o)
Geesum Crow, you don't say. :sneaky:

SultanOfSwing Aug 26th 2011 4:36 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by cindyabs (Post 9583585)
Geesum Crow, you don't say. :sneaky:
That's a new one, I have to admit :lol:

cindyabs Aug 26th 2011 4:44 am
Re: A language question
 
This example cracked me up when I was looking for the origin of the word jillpoke, an expression I use. I can just hear one of the guys that worked in the woods for my Dad saying this- :lol:


"They was goan down the trail when that Christless driveshaft jillpoked, and Donnie hit his head on the jeezly windshield."

SultanOfSwing Aug 26th 2011 4:45 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by cindyabs (Post 9583596)
This example cracked me up when I was looking for the origin of the word jillpoke, an expression I use. I can just hear one of the guys that worked in the woods for my Dad saying this- :lol:


"They was goan down the trail when that Christless driveshaft jillpoked, and Donnie hit his head on the jeezly windshield."
That sounds quite wrong on many levels. Dirty bastards :D

another bloody yank Aug 26th 2011 5:04 am
Re: A language question
 
Seems like this thread might be slowing down a little.

Here ya go:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ight=americans

kimilseung Aug 26th 2011 5:09 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by another bloody yank (Post 9583620)
Seems like this thread might be slowing down a little.

Here ya go:

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ight=americans
It is one thing for us U.S. based expats (and Americans) to diss all things American, but I take great offense when that lot of expats with sand in their knickers start doing it!
:frown:
:)

nethead Aug 26th 2011 5:10 am
Re: A language question
 
Another one my kids say (maybe it's just my kids that can't talk properly) is, ie "I need go bathroom" they always miss out the 'to the' part, that is bloody annoying.

SultanOfSwing Aug 26th 2011 5:13 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by nethead (Post 9583630)
Another one my kids say (maybe it's just my kids that can't talk properly) is, ie "I need go bathroom" they always miss out the 'to the' part, that is bloody annoying.
Usually it's 'go potty'. I don't like that expression very much.

Admittedly, I usually get a few funny looks when I say "I'm off to the gents'". I would try "I'm away for a Geoff Hurst" but I'd end up wetting myself by the time I'd be able to explain it.

kimilseung Aug 26th 2011 5:17 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing (Post 9583634)
Usually it's 'go potty'. I don't like that expression very much.

Admittedly, I usually get a few funny looks when I say "I'm off to the gents'". I would try "I'm away for a Geoff Hurst" but I'd end up wetting myself by the time I'd be able to explain it.
Mine is "I've got to see a man about a dog" and only my wife has any idea what I am talking about

edit: Which is odd, because I have read that it is supposed to be an Americanism too.

SultanOfSwing Aug 26th 2011 5:19 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by kimilseung (Post 9583639)
Mine is "I've got to see a man about a dog" and only my wife has any idea what I am talking about
I'll make my son laugh from time to time by saying "I'm away to count my knobs", which was a favourite expression of a friend of mine back in Blighty.

Bob Aug 26th 2011 5:25 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by S Folinsky (Post 9583526)
Don't know. However, when Americans "queue up" -- people on the East Coast tend to say "stand on line" while West Coast people tend to say "stand in line." I've heard people actually argue about that one.
But, but, but.....people don't stand in/on line in the East Coast, they horde, and rabble browse their way to the front :lol:

Egg and Cress Aug 26th 2011 6:39 am
Re: A language question
 
The epitome of proper (American) word usage and sentence structure used to be the newspaper - now I read (and hear on the local TV news) that windows were "busted" - irritates the crap out of me! :eek:

Scott33 Aug 26th 2011 7:24 am
Re: A language question
 
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...gcontinuum.png

Lion in Winter Aug 26th 2011 7:37 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by nethead (Post 9583270)
My kids have a habit of saying something happened 'on' accident instead of 'by' accident which doesn't sound right to me. I thought it was just them and some type of kid talk then I heard an adult the other day say it, so don't know whether it's an American thing or a regional thing??
Mine has been saying that too. Midwest?

SultanOfSwing Aug 26th 2011 7:40 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by Lion in Winter (Post 9583823)
Mine has been saying that too. Midwest?
Again can confirm. In Illinois here, my American stepson says it like that, no matter how many times I correct him, or kick his arse . . .

Lion in Winter Aug 26th 2011 7:45 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by Sally Redux (Post 9583462)
'I won't be beat' is the catchphrase for a local mattress store.

I don't know if it's 'wrong' or just different usage, Americans seem to say things like "I wish I would have done that".
Americans don't seem to use the subjunctive much. They tend to use two conditionals.

"If the first baseman would have caught the ball, the batter would have been out." Instead of "If the first baseman had caught the ball, the batter would have been out."

Lion in Winter Aug 26th 2011 7:47 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing (Post 9583828)
Again can confirm. In Illinois here, my American stepson says it like that, no matter how many times I correct him, or kick his arse . . .

I haven't tried the arse-kicking method.

I just explain that language often changes, it isn't a static thing, but that there is always current accepted correct usage, and then there is colloquial usage, and then there is just plain wrong, and he has to know which is which.

SultanOfSwing Aug 26th 2011 7:50 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by Lion in Winter (Post 9583838)
I haven't tried the arse-kicking method.

I just explain that language often changes, it isn't a static thing, but that there is always current accepted correct usage, and then there is colloquial usage, and then there is just plain wrong, and he has to know which is which.
Arse kicking doesn't work when they're almost as tall as you are :(

But I do try to do the same as you, in teaching him the differences between a regional variation, and correct English.

Interestingly, speaking of regional varations, my wife thinks it was funny that when she asked for a 'pop' in LA nobody knew what she meant, but I knew exactly what a 'pop' was.

Then my mum and sister call everything 'juice', which confuses the shit out of SWMBO when they're over for a visit :D

Lion in Winter Aug 26th 2011 7:53 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing (Post 9583843)
Arse kicking doesn't work when they're almost as tall as you are :(

But I do try to do the same as you, in teaching him the differences between a regional variation, and correct English.

Interestingly, speaking of regional varations, my wife thinks it was funny that when she asked for a 'pop' in LA nobody knew what she meant, but I knew exactly what a 'pop' was.

Then my mum and sister call everything 'juice', which confuses the shit out of SWMBO when they're over for a visit :D
Given the various meanings of "juice" and "being juiced" that should make for an interesting time.

SultanOfSwing Aug 26th 2011 7:56 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by Lion in Winter (Post 9583850)
Given the various meanings of "juice" and "being juiced" that should make for an interesting time.
Not as interesting as you might think :lol:

nethead Aug 26th 2011 9:52 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by Lion in Winter (Post 9583823)
Mine has been saying that too. Midwest?
No we're in PA.

nethead Aug 26th 2011 11:36 am
Re: A language question
 
Another one I've noticed is the pronunciation of wolf, loads of people here say woof :confused:

Sally Redux Aug 26th 2011 11:44 am
Re: A language question
 
Originally Posted by nethead (Post 9584183)
Another one I've noticed is the pronunciation of wolf, loads of people here say woof :confused:
Yes I think it's woof here as well.

That reminds me of a posh boy at school who said 'dorf' for 'dwarf'


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