How American have you become?
Mar 13th 2005, 3:59 pm
#16
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by Lion in Winter
My son used to think that tow-may-toes and toe-mar-toes were two different vegetables (I know, they're fruits).
He was probably right, clever blighter! The latter have a taste while the former just look nice.
Mar 13th 2005, 4:02 pm
#17
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,220
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by fatbrit
He was probably right, clever blighter! The latter have a taste while the former just look nice.
Mar 13th 2005, 4:34 pm
#18
Time Lord
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Lansing, MI
Posts: 1,032
Re: How American have you become?
I've found that I tend to use certain words when talking to Americans, and switch when talking to Brits (or my wife & son). I have found myself accidentally using English phrases on occasion though, just look at the blank expression you get when telling an American that you're "Just Going To The Bog". 
My other half does get annoyed sometimes when I say "Gordon Bennett", and I managed to produce a few laughs at work one time when I did something wrong and said "Bollocks".
My other half does get annoyed sometimes when I say "Gordon Bennett", and I managed to produce a few laughs at work one time when I did something wrong and said "Bollocks".
Mar 13th 2005, 4:44 pm
#19
Account Closed
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,266
Re: How American have you become?
I told some friends today that my hubby gets on with a difficult bloke we all know...and you should have seen their faces :scared:
They automatically thought I said something else..had to say that hubby tolerates the bloke...
They automatically thought I said something else..had to say that hubby tolerates the bloke...
Mar 13th 2005, 5:01 pm
#20
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 4,525
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by ImHere
I also ate a McDonalds once.
Ash
Mar 13th 2005, 6:51 pm
#21
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: eating celery
Posts: 461
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by Ash UK/US
I watched the documentary 'supersize me' on the Showtime free view last week :scared: :scared: :scared: it was enough to put you off Mickey D's for life.
Ash
Ash
i took their advice and have switched to burger king!
Last edited by englishnurse; Mar 13th 2005 at 6:51 pm. Reason: spelling
Mar 13th 2005, 11:45 pm
#22
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How American have you become?
Dunno how true it is but I heard that the thickening agent in a McD's milkshake is reconstituted Chicken fat. Allegedly. Mmmm Im Lovin it 
Mar 14th 2005, 12:05 am
#23
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,113
Re: How American have you become?
I think I've just slowed down my speech and adopted the obvious American words like gas and trash etc, etc. I have also found myself recently saying words like "four-de dollars" instead of forty dollars. I don't get as many bizzare looks as I once did when I opened my mouth, so maybe thats a sign that my accent has changed. My wife says that I go straight back to brit speak when I talk to my family on the phone.
Mar 14th 2005, 2:11 am
#24
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 3,338
Re: How American have you become?
I think your accent changes without even realising it to a large degree - only way to tell is when you have your family or friends visiting. The changes come from trying to make sure you are understood first time. I've lost count of the times where I've had a blank look, an "excuse me, sorry" or a "huh" - and as such, subconsciously you start to change, maybe not your accent, but certainly your pronunciation. One thing I really cannot get right is my name - 90% of Americans who ask me my name decide it's "Don" when I tell them! It grates a bit - the only way I can get round it is really hang it on shit kicking style and say "Day-an" - but even that sometimes backfires, they then think its "Dane" !! I give up
Dan
Dan
Mar 14th 2005, 2:33 am
#25
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,182
Re: How American have you become?
I guess we've all had problems getting waTer in restaurants?...
Anyone tried asking for buTTer at Costcos?
Tell someone you're feeling knackered and watch how the confusion spreads across their face...
Anyone tried asking for buTTer at Costcos?
Tell someone you're feeling knackered and watch how the confusion spreads across their face...
Mar 14th 2005, 2:40 am
#26
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 1,275
Re: How American have you become?
I've been here since January '88, but I never really had any specific accent anyway,probably because my dad was Russian and never lost his accent,and my mum is from London,and I grew up in Wiltshire!
I don't notice that I sound any different to anyone else here,anymore,until I speak to someone who has never heard me before!...then,of course, like most of us on this board!,I am told how Australian I am etc!
I did notice quite a difference when we met my sister for our vacation a few years ago in Florida,my accent has changed quite a lot,even I could hear the difference after listening to my sis...and I find I do say vacation,gas and a few other Americanized words,but I just can't say 'can't or plant or dance or chance',any other way than English'English',it just doesn't come out any other way!!,even though sometimes I wish it would,it would save me a hell of a lot of confusion when speaking to Americans!!,I'm sure most of you know what I mean!!!! When I do have trouble making them understand something I'm trying to say,I tell them they don't understand me because they're such foreigners!! LOL.......Sophia
I don't notice that I sound any different to anyone else here,anymore,until I speak to someone who has never heard me before!...then,of course, like most of us on this board!,I am told how Australian I am etc!
I did notice quite a difference when we met my sister for our vacation a few years ago in Florida,my accent has changed quite a lot,even I could hear the difference after listening to my sis...and I find I do say vacation,gas and a few other Americanized words,but I just can't say 'can't or plant or dance or chance',any other way than English'English',it just doesn't come out any other way!!,even though sometimes I wish it would,it would save me a hell of a lot of confusion when speaking to Americans!!,I'm sure most of you know what I mean!!!! When I do have trouble making them understand something I'm trying to say,I tell them they don't understand me because they're such foreigners!! LOL.......Sophia
Mar 14th 2005, 2:43 am
#27
Blindside Fumbler
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Tampa
Posts: 967
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by DonnaElvira
I guess we've all had problems getting waTer in restaurants?...
Anyone tried asking for buTTer at Costcos?
Tell someone you're feeling knackered and watch how the confusion spreads across their face...
Anyone tried asking for buTTer at Costcos?
Tell someone you're feeling knackered and watch how the confusion spreads across their face...
Mar 14th 2005, 2:49 am
#28
Powder Maggot
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Nuevo Mexico
Posts: 4,452
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by DonnaElvira
I guess we've all had problems getting waTer in restaurants?...
Mar 14th 2005, 2:55 am
#29
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,220
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by Dan725
I think your accent changes without even realising it to a large degree - only way to tell is when you have your family or friends visiting. The changes come from trying to make sure you are understood first time. I've lost count of the times where I've had a blank look, an "excuse me, sorry" or a "huh" - and as such, subconsciously you start to change, maybe not your accent, but certainly your pronunciation. One thing I really cannot get right is my name - 90% of Americans who ask me my name decide it's "Don" when I tell them! It grates a bit - the only way I can get round it is really hang it on shit kicking style and say "Day-an" - but even that sometimes backfires, they then think its "Dane" !! I give up
Dan
Dan
"My names Mark"
"Molk?"
"No...Mark"
"Milk?"
"NO MARK!!!!.....as in MARK Twain"
"Oh you mean Mark!!"
GGGGGGGGGrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Mar 14th 2005, 2:59 am
#30
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 3,338
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by DonnaElvira
I guess we've all had problems getting waTer in restaurants?...
Anyone tried asking for buTTer at Costcos?
Tell someone you're feeling knackered and watch how the confusion spreads across their face...
Anyone tried asking for buTTer at Costcos?
Tell someone you're feeling knackered and watch how the confusion spreads across their face...
Budder and wadder, usually works!
