Britishisms in America – bloody jolly good, I say! Cheerio
Has anyone else noticed all the fuss in the papers over Americans in America using Britishisms? This seems to be the trend in America of late. Since I reside here in the UK, of course I had no idea this was happening until I read all the articles about it. I am fascinated.
When I was growing up in the USA, my parents used a few Britishisms because they had lived in Cambridge England for a few years just after they were married. However, at the time I didn’t realise they were Britishisms at all.
As far as I am aware, Americanisms have been creeping into the British lexicon for several years, thanks to Hollywood and popular American TV shows that air in Britain. Phrases such as “that sucks”, “from the get-go”, “touch base”, “totally awesome”, “dude” (or maybe I am just showing my age!). On our second date back in 1994, Nick told me about something unfortunate that happened to him. I replied “oh no that sucks!”. he laughed and exclaimed, “you are so quintessentially American!” I was totally shocked by this because I had no idea I sounded that way, it was just the way I spoke and not having lived outside the States ever before, it was surprising to me to know I sounded that way. Now I really notice how I speak and since moving here, I have definitely adopted many many Britishisms.
My children sound British because of their accents but really, the words they use are both British and American. Some phrases they use are also less British because of my influence. For example, they never say “I feel poorly”, they say “I feel sick”. Or, “is it tea time?” They always say “is it supper time?” instead. And they never say film, it’s always ‘movie’. I am sure that if both their parents were British, they would say film and tea time (for supper) and poorly instead of sick and so on and so forth. They do, however, say zed for Z and maths for math. I suppose that’s because of school.
I know that it makes me smile and feel happy that my children use words I use and sound similar to me in that way. It’s part of me so I love that it’s shaping who they are as well.
I wonder why there is such a fuss about Britishisms being used by Americans in America. Is it because American English is perceived to be inferior? Are Americans trying to be pretentious by using British English? I look forward to hearing your comments – and take a look at the comments on these articles below. Some interesting (and some annoying) comments by people from all over the world. I love it when I hear people using Americanisms here in the UK. It makes me feel more at home and more connected with that person.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/11/fashion/americans-are-barmy-over-britishisms.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://www.news-journal.com/opinion/columnists/frank_t_pool/the-britishisms-are-coming-the-brit/article_fe7e903a-f5be-53d0-a2a8-c867be0aeefd.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19929249
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/cheers-the-us-learns-how-to-speak-british-8208035.html
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Interesting and funny! Growing up in Canada, my parents had access to British TV for years and loved such shows as Faulty Towers and Are You Being Served? Their closest friends were also British so my dad (who never swore) used words like ‘bloody’ all the time!
Now I find I say ‘mobile’ in Canada and ‘cell’ in England and so on …
I will unlikely ever say ‘poorly’ or ‘film’ – it just sounds awkward.. Almost as awkward as hearing my British husband say awesome !
Great post Meg!
Thanks for your comment Jen. Cell phone is so much easier to say than mobile phone! It will be interesting to see what you stop saying, if anything, once you move back to Canada.
I say straight away all the time. Its a perfect phrase that there really isn’t an american version of. My favorite is when I say something like I’ll take care of this straight away y’all. Might as well mix all my languages together…
Yes I love it! Sometimes I say ya’ll to my kids and they always look at me like I’m crazy! I do worry sometimes that they will be teased at school for using American words instead of British words. Two kids told my daughter that they hate Americans and she came home crying.
Ugh that’s rough. I remember how hard it was when I went to reading because right before several British tourist had been killed in Florida so no one was thrilled to see Americans. But we were much older and had each other. Kids can be so mean sometimes. You’d think that they’d be more accepting with all the US tv you get. For all they know she learned it there. Poor Anna Grace. So sorry.
I told her teacher and head teacher and they responded immediately by wanting the names of the kids. She wouldn’t give them up! So they said they would give a general reminder to be kind and thoughtful to everyone no matter their race or nationality etc etc. If it happens again, I will press her for their names. The school has a very strict anti-bullying policy and they are very responsive to parents’ concerns. It does make you wonder why they said it in the first place. I bet they heard their parents say it.