What Americanism's/habits have you picked up?
Nov 11th 2005, 1:34 pm
#181
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Re: What Americanism's/habits have you picked up?
I managed to make a right pratt of myself over the dishwasher salt when we firs moved here. The dishwasher left grit all over the plates, didn't matter what setting it was on, there was still grit. SO the third time the plumber came out, I thought to ask where abouts you put the salt, and maybe it already needed refilling, hence the grit, he thought I was a right raving loony, didn't have a clue what I was going on about, told me that salt is used for food or snow, not dishwashers and left me with my grit. 
As for recycling plastic bags... they make for very good pooh bags ( for dogs of course)
Americanisms? Have picked up a few over time, it does make life easier, still can't say gar-arge though, it's still a plain old garriiige...and folks around here, still don't know what I'm talking about when I say it... but that's ok
I teach speech and language in a school district here, and other therapists say that the kids I deal with are picking up Britishisms, and accent, so if I keep working on them, we might have them saying gariige to
As for recycling plastic bags... they make for very good pooh bags ( for dogs of course)
Americanisms? Have picked up a few over time, it does make life easier, still can't say gar-arge though, it's still a plain old garriiige...and folks around here, still don't know what I'm talking about when I say it... but that's ok
I teach speech and language in a school district here, and other therapists say that the kids I deal with are picking up Britishisms, and accent, so if I keep working on them, we might have them saying gariige to
Nov 11th 2005, 1:36 pm
#182
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,750
Re: What Americanism's/habits have you picked up?
Originally Posted by BrandonBrit
I teach speech and language in a school district here, and other therapists say that the kids I deal with are picking up Britishisms, and accent, so if I keep working on them, we might have them saying gariige to
Nov 11th 2005, 1:38 pm
#183
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Re: What Americanism's/habits have you picked up?
Originally Posted by BigDavyG
I must say that I'm a particular fan of the word w*nker. A lot of people over here are clearly not familiar with it which means that you can say it repeatedly to their face and they are none the wiser. It worked a treat at the DMV yesterday when I repeatedly called the manager a w*nker. I moved instantly to laughing at myself from a situation where I was periously close to dragging him over the counter and battering him.
I know that people have expressed their dislike of "fake" swear words but i have to confess that i'm a great fan of the words f.e.c.k, pish and shi'ite.
I know that people have expressed their dislike of "fake" swear words but i have to confess that i'm a great fan of the words f.e.c.k, pish and shi'ite.
Nov 11th 2005, 1:46 pm
#184
Back where I belong!
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Location: Melbourne, Oz to Banbury, England to El Mirage, AZ & now back to England!
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Re: What Americanism's/habits have you picked up?
Originally Posted by BrandonBrit
As for recycling plastic bags... they make for very good pooh bags ( for dogs of course)
Yep, we use them for that too, but our dog only goes in the back garden (or should I say yard!), so we (or should I say hubby!) do mass collections, which doesn't use too many plastic bags!!! Sorry TMI!
Hope to see you soon!
Liz
Nov 11th 2005, 5:11 pm
#185
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Re: What Americanism's/habits have you picked up?
Originally Posted by Chorlton
Maybe saving water, but using electricity. I'm not sure which is worse 
Nov 12th 2005, 3:10 am
#186
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Re: What Americanism's/habits have you picked up?
Im American married to an Englishman and have just moved back to Michigan from Hampshire and I laughed so hard reading this thread.
Nov 13th 2005, 7:31 am
#187
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Re: What Americanism's/habits have you picked up?
Originally Posted by ladyofthelake
I'm always amazed at the amount of rubbish my neighbours manage to throw out in just 1 week. They all have at least 2 large wheely bins over flowing, plus extra bags on the drive. Where the f*** does it all come from? 
I have 2 bins twice a week, and won't have junk food in th e house (well, I prefer to make my own 'organic' pizza), and yes, we do eat off proper plates and use genoo-ine silverware at every meal.
Nov 13th 2005, 5:25 pm
#188
CA to TX to Jamaica
Joined: Jun 2003
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Posts: 4,887
Re: What Americanism's/habits have you picked up?
Originally Posted by BigDavyG
I must say that I'm a particular fan of the word w*nker. A lot of people over here are clearly not familiar with it which means that you can say it repeatedly to their face and they are none the wiser. It worked a treat at the DMV yesterday when I repeatedly called the manager a w*nker. I moved instantly to laughing at myself from a situation where I was periously close to dragging him over the counter and battering him.
I know that people have expressed their dislike of "fake" swear words but i have to confess that i'm a great fan of the words f.e.c.k, pish and shi'ite.
I know that people have expressed their dislike of "fake" swear words but i have to confess that i'm a great fan of the words f.e.c.k, pish and shi'ite.
Nov 13th 2005, 5:32 pm
#189
CA to TX to Jamaica
Joined: Jun 2003
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Posts: 4,887
Re: What Americanism's/habits have you picked up?
All you need to know about dishwashers and salt. http://www.dishwasher-care.org.uk/best.html
Apparently they don't use it here because of pollution regulations. That's the reason why the washing powder is so crappy here, no phosphates.
Apparently they don't use it here because of pollution regulations. That's the reason why the washing powder is so crappy here, no phosphates.
Nov 13th 2005, 10:43 pm
#190
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Re: What Americanism's/habits have you picked up?
Originally Posted by CaliforniaBride
Bollocks
Nov 13th 2005, 11:11 pm
#191
CA to TX to Jamaica
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Re: What Americanism's/habits have you picked up?
Originally Posted by tony126
Economy of words but expresses all ones feelings.
Nov 14th 2005, 9:47 am
#192
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Re: What Americanism's/habits have you picked up?
I have resisted the "soccer" syndrome sticking to calling the roundball game football. But have found myself mentioning the "Fall season" instead of Autumn.
I love the Memsahib's Indianan drawl, and I now know that all the missing "H's" on the front of herb are saved up to appear in Vehicle, or Vehhhhhhhhhhhicle as her nibs pronounces it.
Also I do like her version of Whuuuuuuuuuuuuun ( 1 ) still I always pronounce Havant as 'Avant so I suppose I have no right to wind her up too much
I love the Memsahib's Indianan drawl, and I now know that all the missing "H's" on the front of herb are saved up to appear in Vehicle, or Vehhhhhhhhhhhicle as her nibs pronounces it.
Also I do like her version of Whuuuuuuuuuuuuun ( 1 ) still I always pronounce Havant as 'Avant so I suppose I have no right to wind her up too much
Nov 14th 2005, 2:31 pm
#193
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Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 33
Re: What Americanism's/habits have you picked up?
Originally Posted by mandpete
My 8yr old daughter had a point deducted on her math quiz because she wrote three hundred 'and' fifty six instead of three hundred fifty six when asked to write 356 in words.
I wrote a small note to the teacher explaining that she had written it as I and any other english person would write it.
I wrote a small note to the teacher explaining that she had written it as I and any other english person would write it.
"three hundred and fifty six" = 300.56
If it was 356.25 would you say "three hundered and fifty six and one quarter"?
Nov 14th 2005, 2:34 pm
#194
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Re: What Americanism's/habits have you picked up?
Originally Posted by doctor scrumpy
I have resisted the "soccer" syndrome sticking to calling the roundball game football.
Nov 14th 2005, 3:09 pm
#195
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5
Re: What Americanism's/habits have you picked up?
Originally Posted by Beer:30
"three hundred and fifty six" = 300.56
If it was 356.25 would you say "three hundered and fifty six and one quarter"?
If it was 356.25 would you say "three hundered and fifty six and one quarter"?
In his defence though - he does say "sort it out" among other Britishisms, likes real English beer AND loves the fact that the norm in the UK is driving a manual car!
Last edited by MrsBeer:30; Nov 14th 2005 at 3:11 pm.