Americanisms Brits Hate - Things Americans Say that Annoy British People

I was hesitant to film and publish this video. Ian told me not to. Because I am NOT anti-American and I did not want to make a video that encourages anti-American hate to come out. BUT I do like to understand different perspectives… and as an American I like to know things that people perceive differently than me. I think it’s interesting. It doesn’t mean that I will always agree or change what I do or say because of it, though.
PLEASE help me keep this discussion respectful and light-hearted and open-minded!
I asked my British viewers to tell me Americanisms that bug them. Boy, did I get an overwhelming response!! In this video, I will discuss loads of American words, phrases or habits that Britons find irritating. They fit into the following categories/Chapters:
0:00 Intro
3:05 Pronunciation
9:50 Habits or Behaviours
13:21 Overused Terms
19:31 Grammar Mistakes
23:36 Words that are NOT Words
26:40 Terms that are Different
Please join me for more discussions of language, food, culture, travel vlogs and other British fun! Cheers! XX Dara
Links:
MOT Merch Shop - magenta-otter-travels.printif...
Brit Girls video on Brand Name pronunciation differences in US vs UK - • British Pronunciations...
My Favourite British Sayings - • British Phrases I Love...
Different Food Words in Britain vs. US (the FIRST video I published on my channel!) - • British Food Words Tha...
Arundel Castle vlog - • Arundel Castle #engla...
Clovelly Devon vlog - • Clovelly & the Cats - ...
How to Pronounce British Place Names - • How to Pronounce Briti...
60 Words that Americans pronounce differently than Brits - • Pronunciation Differen...

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

To check out the MOT Merch for a Must Grumble shirt or any other fun stuff, click here: magenta-otter-travels.printify.me/products

[@samk9729]

Do any of these differences truly matter? Life's too short!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@samk9729 amen!

[@CathySalmon-rs1dm]

The expression is, "Mustn't Grumble", not 'Must Grumble "

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@CathySalmon-rs1dm the expression is mustn't grumble, but the shirt is an inside joke on the fact that occasionally we enjoy complaining 😉

[@user-hv5wi6nd4i]

The most vocal in the UK do not represent most of us real Brits, hate is a very strong word for us. Please don't be triggered by trolls or over think things.....yall!

[@user-fp5vv6op6i]

I don’t mind any Americanisms spoken by an American. What I dislike is Americanisms spoken by adult Brits

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Ha ha, yes I understand! Several people have mentioned they disapprove of British people trying to say "y'all" for example 😉. Cheers for your comment! Dara

[@machindave]

I agree. Saying homage in the French way - hom-arje instead of HOM-age. My son says mili-TARY instead of militry and cerry-moaney instead of cerem'ny. The worst one though that has infiltrated British English is "can I get a coffee"; why don't the staff say, "yes you can get a coffee, just come round this side of the counter and I'll show you where to get it from". Oh and another one; using leverage instead of utilise or make use of.

[@carollewis3912]

@@machindave I have said military all my life. Never militry.

[@helenwood8482]

Never say "Good job!" to a Brit. It's sarcastic and belittling.

[@Tom-xy9yy]

Is it??

[@albertsmyth9616]

@@Tom-xy9yyYes it is.

[@StefanPriceUK]

I hate it. When I was at Disney they said it none stop. And 'you're all set''.

[@Electrowave]

The reply may be, "woof-woof!"

[@stephenlee5929]

@@Electrowave Yes, you neglected the Wag-Wag, but yes.

[@gavingiant6900]

When some Americans can say New Hampshire correctly, but struggle with Yorkshire..?

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I have no explanation ;-)

[@gavingiant6900]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Myself neither, but it is funny to kinda confuse a few when they think they are more savvy on the subject. This includes some Brits, which I find more entertaining when they don't realise they are talking to someone from Yorkshire (especially when they don't recognise the Yorkshire rose). Them saying it is york-sheer/shear, instead of york-sure/shur. But we live and learn to some degree, and some don't.

[@valeriejackson7659]

​@@gavingiant6900tut tut Gavin, it is kind of wrong to say kinda. 😂

[@gavingiant6900]

​​​@@valeriejackson7659Depending if you're using formal or informal text/speech.😉

[@stever7732]

Videos like this should never be taken too seriously, they are just a bit of fun. As a Londoner I am as much ‘annoyed’ by what people from other parts of London and multiple different parts of the UK say and pronounce. There are no standards. Dictionaries don’t set rules for pronunciation, they merely record common usage.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thank you for understanding the video in the spirit in which is was intended. We should not take ourselves too seriously, or be too hateful.

[@austin12ascot]

A bunch of WATER. This is the main misuse. Water is all joined up and cannot be a bunch.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I really need to watch that Monty Python sketch about a bunch of water...

[@enemde3025]

Americans saying ACLIMATED instead of ACCLIMATISED !! Americans saying " can you bring me to..." rather than "can you take me to..." !! Americans saying " I'm shook" instead of " I'm shocked" !! Americans putting the emphasis on the wrong word/letter. Americans using a Z instead of an S in words that end in ISE !! NEVER heard of the word GARNERING of someone's wages. We would say DOCK someone's wages. SODA instead of POP/FIZZY DRINK. I HATE THE PHRASE " MY BAD" !!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Oooh strong feelings and loads of uppercase letters! Some of the things you hate are new inventions of the younger generation and some are just things that changed when words crossed the pond... but they are correct in the USA. 🇺🇸. So please don't hate us 🤗

[@christophercox9311]

"I'm shook" does not have the same meaning as "I'm shocked." The former is a sarcastic response to information presented in an unbelievable way. The latter is similar to being gobsmacked, the information provided has not been received and processed as yet. For words ending in 'ise' or 'ize', American English gives credit to the language of origin. Words stolen from latin by way of French have 'ize' endings, words stolen from Greek have 'ise' endings. Since these words were stolen from other languages, the default would be to enjoy the differences--think of it as honor among thieves.

[@stephenlee5929]

@@christophercox9311 Was French Burglarized, whilst Latin was Burgled?

[@DustyDCM]

@@MagentaOtterTravels I think a number of "ize" or "ise" words were pretty interchangeably spelt when the early settlers emigrated, and the standardisation of "ise" endings are actually the later mode, but they are drummed into us in UK schools, so that's one reason we get so steamed up about them 🙂

[@pershorefoodbanktrusselltr3632]

The one that bugs me in America, is referring to everyone as, Bro… especially the youth who use it multiple times in each sentence, boys and girls, when talking to boys and girls.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

My 25 year old son has called me bro (or actually "bruh") for years... Most annoying! I would always say "I'm your mo, not your bro"! LOL

[@carollewis3912]

I don't like hearing people call each other dog.

[@arnoldarnold4944]

Too common in England also!

[@michaelgray7847]

So irritating!!)

[@stephennewton2777]

“Thoughts and prayers”, possibly the most insincere term of all, when in fact it means “You know I know your predicament but I can’t be bothered to demonstrate any active support”.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I find an insincere "thoughts & prayers" WAY more annoying than people saying "have a nice day". But that's just me ;-)

[@robfielding100]

When a shopkeeper in England says are you all right they mean can I help you!

[@griswald7156]

When a shopkeeper says to you “are you alright”? They really mean…”ive got my eye on you “

[@akula9713]

As Ben Elton stated in the 1980s. “Have a nice day” doesn’t quite sound as nice in broad Wigan accent, as it does in Florida or Texan accent, we just want quick service. “What do you want! There you are, now phuck oof” that’s the English way or at least the Northern English way.😂

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

LOL

[@JohnM...]

In Britain, “have a nice day” actually translates as “f**k off and di*”. 😮

[@missmerrily4830]

American parent to kid. "There are two words you are saying which are unacceptable to me. One is awesome and the other is gross!" Kid to parent: "OK mom tell me what they are and I'll stop saying them!" However, my most hated word is 'grab'. Please, oh please stop saying you are 'grabbing' when you mean to pick them up! In UK 'grab' is associated with really greedy, bad behaviour. I find it really grating.

[@mtngrl5859]

Yes, but a Brit word that is irritating to me is when one is looking at a real estate project, they use the word scheme, which has a very negative meaning in American English. It has a very negative meaning in our language in the US.

[@missmerrily4830]

@@mtngrl5859 🤣🤣👍Fair do’s! Let’s be irritated together!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

That is a funny joke! Thanks for sharing 🤣

[@vaska1999]

Yes, "to grab" always carries the connotation of "to snatch something greedily".

[@Electrowave]

Must be in certain areas. I use "grab".

[@leecal5774]

As a Brit I’m somewhat baffled as well as embarrassed that so many of of my fellow countrymen and women seem to have gripes about how another nation pronounces words or uses phrases. Do they have the same concerns about Australians and New Zealanders for instance? 😂 I think if anyone is really serous about this, they need to get out more😅. As a matter of interest I’ve always pronounced it as ‘Skedule’ and not ‘shedule’ (and I’m in my late 50s). I also pronounce ‘privacy’, ‘advertisement’ and ‘harassment’ the same way you do. Thanks for the video. Great container as always.

[@leecal5774]

@@wessexdruid7598 English doesn’t belong to anyone though. There are many variations on pronunciations and different words throughout Britain alone. So I don’t understand the upset of how another nation uses it.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks for your comment, Lee. Interesting to hear how you pronounce some of those words. It is just ust a reminder that not all British people pronounce things the same way. Just like not all Americans do... and not all Americans have an attitude of superiority, either 😉. Cheers! Dara

[@orwellboy1958]

@@leecal5774 of course it belongs to the English the clues in the title. I don't really have a problem with mispronounced words in fact I think it's quite funny but I do object to forign nationals telling me the way we pronounce something is wrong.

[@leecal5774]

@@orwellboy1958 Clue’s, not clues! No one nation owns a language or has the monopoly on how it’s used and pronounced. Just as Spain doesn’t have ownership on how South and Central American countries use Spanish. Nor Portugal on Portuguese Brazilian or Germany on Austrian German. The English spoken in Britain just a few hundred years ago would be unrecognisable to us now. And it’ll change again dramatically as time goes on.

[@leecal5774]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Thanks Dara. You do such a great job providing really interesting videos, that I think it’s a bit sad that you get pulled up on saying words such as ‘cute’ or ‘quaint’. Does it really matter? It sounds like it’s us Brits that seem to have the superiority complex about the use of English 😂. Oh dear! 🫣 PS: I also say ‘goosebumps’ and not ‘goosepimples’ 😊

[@williamgeorgefraser]

My 5 great hates are: 1) Pronouncing "route" as "rout" instead of "root" 2) "Normalcy", instead of "normality" 3) "Momentarily", instead of "in a moment" 4) "I could care less", instead of "I couldn't care less" 5) "Gotten" And then I almost forgot "If I would have...". "If" indicates that the sentence is conditional. It doesn't need the conditional form of the verb. It should be "If I had..."

[@matc6221]

Route is pronounced both ways in America depending on region ie Root 66. Gotten apparently originates from Middle English, that the Brititsh colonies brought over to America. In Britain today we have evolved to shortening it to 'got'.

[@paulguise698]

what about "BAD BOYS "when describing food

[@matc6221]

@@paulguise698 See did a bit on bad boys in the video

[@paulguise698]

@@matc6221 Hiya Mat, Yeah my syndrome went into meltdown when Dara Said that horrible phrase, does it get to you also?

[@matc6221]

@@paulguise698 I honestly never thought about it before this video. But yeah it's a bit strange. Like 'these little guys' is another I have noticed when describing food or other small things I think.

[@ItsArtByDonna]

That was just awesome Dara...My bad for saying that...I would go horseback riding with my glasses/spectacles but I was too busy saying Have a nice day at the counter in the grocery last week...enjoyed this video...lots of fun!

[@user-bp5gz6ir2w]

I am a 70 year old and work on the checkout at a supermarket I greet customers with “hello how are you today “ then I ask “have you had a good week” and am quite prepared for a discussion about it. When customers leave I say enjoy the rest of your day

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

THANK YOU!!! And bless your little cotton socks ;-)

[@RichardWells1]

What a really brilliant analysis of and discourse on language differences, delivered so understandingly, beautifully articulately and with great humour. How could anyone be offended by your video? (You should offer this as an after-dinner speech!) I’m sure we in Britain say things that grate with Americans, as much as Americans say things that irritate us. I’m also certain some Brits say things that grate with fellow Brits - terminological inexactitudes such as ‘would of’! The thing is, life is too short to worry about these things and get het-up about them. And, yes, many of our villages are quaint . . . ouch!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

You are too kind, Richard! Thanks for not taking offence where none is intended ;-) Something we should all try to do! I have certainly heard many Britons complain about things said by their fellow citizens. Fact it, most of us are grumpy old gits and we like to moan about things... whether it's things people in our own country do or another! LOL YOU are allowed to call the villages quaint I guess, because you are British! haha Cheers! Dara

[@RichardWells1]

@@MagentaOtterTravels 👍🤣

[@The_Brit_Girls]

Ooh, we're excited about this one!! 😁😁 Love your thumbnail 😍

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I have no shame. Silliest pose yet!

[@alandjenkins]

Another one that occurs to me comes from an Australian friend of mine who is now a US citizen. He says (as do all Americans) that he “immigrated to” the US. WRONG! He EMIGRATED from Australia to the US, whereupon he became an immigrant in the US.

[@ianprince1698]

i would say he migrated to

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I'm guilty of this. I mix up emigrate and immigrate all the time...

[@FionaEm]

Aussie here. We were taught the difference between emigrate and immigrate at school, but a lot of ppl mix them up.

[@richs8754]

@@MagentaOtterTravels The easiest way to solve this is to think "in-" instead of "im-" for immigrate. You enter into the new country, therefore IMmigrate. The opposite or leaving word is EMmigtate "em-" referring to Exit. The two initial letters alone should be your biggest clues.

[@aidencox790]

@@ianprince1698 His arms will be bloody tired from all that flapping then ;-D Added - this comment relates to the post that says "migrate" just so y'all know.

[@The_Brit_Girls]

Hi Dara, I really enjoyed your premiere this morning! I didn't comment too much on the individual examples as I wanted to wait until you watched our reaction video - hated to have spoilt/spoiled the surprise, lol! We are now feeling rather nervous 😬😳Thank you so much for the lovely shoutout 🥰🥰 You had some great reactions going on in 'The Chat' 👍😀

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I can't wait to see your response!! XX

[@stuartofblyth]

My response to people who say "I could care less" is "Why don't you?"

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Appropriate

[@hadz8671]

I think "I could care less" is ironic, like "you'll be lucky" which means you won't be lucky.

[@kaymgee08]

Enjoyed this so much I have subscribed and look forward to bingewatching!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Oh, bless your little cotton socks! Thank you so much! XX Dara

[@RoyCousins]

Two phrases that I find strange are: "Needs fixed" (future tense straight into past tense) instead of Needs to be Fixed or Requires Repair. "Under Construction" for example when an old building is being repaired or restored. Construction implies the act of building in the first place. However, English is a gift to the world, not a set of rules.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Britons don't say "under construction"?

[@RoyCousins]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Not that I've heard. It seems a very American phrase, heard on many KZbin videos refering to the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) during its recent restoration. As I suggested, Construction seems to imply new building or re-building. The clock tower was constructed in 1834 and the latest renovation was from 2017 to 2022.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@RoyCousins oh yes, the Elizabeth Tower was definitely under renovation! Not construction!

[@theresabigwideworld2632]

I don't have any great annoyances with the different versions of the English language, but I do love languages so enjoy reflecting on them. The main one I've noticed is that Americans still use the subjunctive tense correctly so 'If I were, I wish I were' (I know the subjunctive tense thanks to learning other languages!) Brits don't use it, most say 'If I was, I wish I was' which does irritate me as the language pedant in my head is saying 'WRONG usage!" Languages do evolve and what used to be considered incorrect is now accepted, I saw an interesting video by Stephen Fry on language pedants, and that's a point he made quite strongly.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I love Stephen Fry! He is brilliant, and so funny. I will have to watch that one 😉

[@alandjenkins]

I agree very very very strongly about would of could of should of!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Drives me bats!!!

[@helengiddings267]

I think you speak beautifully, of course we pronounce words differently we are a different country and culture. I so enjoy your videos.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thank you, my dear! I hope we can all become become a bit more tolerant and appreciative of our differences. Cheers! XX Dara

[@MENSA.lady2]

Somebody tell Americans that Moscow, the Capital of Russia does not sound like a farmyard animal. Second, there is no such thing as a airplane, it's an aeroplane.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Well, if it's spelled airplane... that's how we have to pronounce it. If you wrote aeroplane on a school assignment in the USA, you'd be marked off for that.

[@MENSA.lady2]

Check what the Wright brothers flew and you will see I am right. Two nations divided by a common language, and I expect it will get worse.

[@carollewis3912]

If Moscow doesn't sound like a cow, how does it sound? I've been saying that barnyard/farmyard animal for a long time.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@carollewis3912 apparently the British pronunciation is coe and the American pronunciation is cow. Of course, in Russian, it's neither of those!

[@carollewis3912]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Now that you mention it I have heard it called coe. I might have even said it some. I'm curious about the Russian pronunciation. They would know how to pronounce it correctly! They say Moskva.

[@CamcorderSteve]

As a Brit, I have never heard the word "goose pimples", we also say "goosebumps". Sinks are located in the kitchen and basins are located in the bathroom. Another grammatical thing I have noticed is that some people use the word "alot" rather than "a lot", I guess that is just the way people tend to speak and do not realise that it is two words and not just one. Did you notice that in the last sentence I used the word "guess", which I think has come over from America, up to a couple of years ago I would have used the word "think".

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes! The phrase should be written as "a lot"... but people write "alot" all the time! Bugs me too 😉

[@BeckyPoleninja]

Uk here, yup always said goosepilmples

[@alanalderson1427]

Never heard of the term goosebumps. From Yorkshire.

[@CamcorderSteve]

@@alanalderson1427Must be a regional thing then - from Essex.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@BeckyPoleninja I think I have uncovered another regional difference within Britain!

[@bill-wd7zs]

I love a lot of things the Americans say, its a lot of fun hearing the different accents and Pronunciations. Life would be just a little bit more boring if we all spoke the Queens English.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

True! Good attitude 🤗

[@laura_and_shanman]

I love your attitude!!!! This is such a fun and interesting video!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thank you so much! It was a tricky topic to navigate 😉 Thanks for watching! Dara

[@helenwood8482]

Hospitalise is fine. Buglarise is silly. A burglar is one who burgles.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Haha, I never heard the term burgled until my mother in law came to visit for 3 weeks (a couple decades ago) and her house was burgled whilst she was in Texas. It was AWFUL... they took everything including the light fixtures off the ceiling!

[@jankerley9668]

This fun video reminds me of an ongoing conversation I’m having with friends at my church that have moved into the area from out of state. We are in Tennessee, and we have a blast talking about the difference ways we sound, AND, just different words we use that mean different things where we come from. Interestingly, linguists say that we southerners actually sound more like our ancestors in England than any part of the US. Not so sure about that, but it’s fun to hear! Check out a short and cool video about it on KZbin called “A Quick Lesson on Southern Linguistics”.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I have heard the same thing! Words like "reckon" are both old British and American South. Interesting!

[@jacketrussell]

I was on the bus back from Minehead at lunchtime today and had to bite my lip. There were two American ladies sitting behind me and they were enthusing about the cute old churches and thatched cottages along the way. I was thinking that a 19th century church and 18th century cottages were fairly new. LOL.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I'm glad you practised restraint 🤗... they meant well 💖

[@jacketrussell]

@MagentaOtterTravels Or 'practiced' even. 🤣

[@jacketrussell]

@@wessexdruid7598 Which is why I was surprised that Dara spelt it with an 'S'.......

[@jacketrussell]

@@wessexdruid7598 Because, as you so rightly made the point, Americans always spell the word with a 'C'.

[@jacketrussell]

@@wessexdruid7598 I can always spot a Troll.

[@Padraig1916]

Customer: "Can I get a ......?". Sales assistant: "No, I'm paid to get it for you!".

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Haha yep! 😆

[@michaelriordan8265]

The Marines, there's only one Marines who have Royal in front of their name

[@jeanlongsden1696]

there are 2 .. the Royal Marine Commando's and the Royal Marine Special Boat Service, otherwise known as the SBS.

[@aidencox790]

@@jeanlongsden1696 Hi, Brit here. Sorry mate but unless the system has changed drastically since my RM service in the 1960's you're wrong. While the Royal Marines and the SBS are related, they serve different roles. The SBS is the maritime special forces unit, whereas the Royal Marines fulfill broader amphibious and naval duties. Both units contribute to the UK’s defense capabilities, with the SBS operating at the highest level of specialisation and secrecy.

[@grencartwright2949]

The plural of you is youse.😂 When our teacher in school said "Stand up Hughes" We all stood up.😂😂

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Oh THAT is funny! 😆

[@robfielding100]

My worst Americanism is GOTTEN … there is a normal word in English … GOT🤬

[@albertsmyth9616]

You’re right, it drives me nuts!

[@kaymgee08]

I believe it was used in English centuries ago - like fall for autumn.

[@alisontaylor6135]

As a Brit, I still enjoy imagining how the locals pronounce the name of their village or town. As a general rule, it's usually the most outlandish that is the accepted way. xx

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

True! Although sometimes it's so crazy I couldn't even imagine it! Lol

[@stephn4085]

I can't stand shopkeepers saying "you alright". "Can I help you" is much more traditional.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I'm a bit literal when it comes to things like this... so I prefer "may I help you" as well!

[@keithbessant]

Something Americans say that has caught on over here is when a customer asks, 'Can I get..?' instead of 'Could I have..?' It sounds as if they're asking to climb over the counter and get it for themselves, instead of letting the assistant get it for them.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes, that is a rather bad habit. We should all be more polite!

[@AidanEyewitness]

I found this presentation absolutely riveting from beginning to end. Having spent time in the States, I have noticed the day to day differences. Yes, we need to be tolerant. But there are two US pronunciations i don't like :- 'route' rhyming with 'out' or 'sprout'. It's a French word. I know French and it is 'route ' that rhymes with 'root', or 'boot'. Similarly niche is not / NITCH / but niche / NEESH /. On the other hand people from the US and maybe also Canada say ''erbs", which is closer to the original pronunciation in French as its / PAH tay / for pâté, another French word! We say 'pattay. 'As a linguist and proud German and French speaker, all I can say is: 'Vive la différence!' PS - I've been recommending your videos to my online students of English!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks so much for watching, Aidan, and leaving an interesting comment! The funny thing about your example words of route and niche are that Americans pronounce them both ways! I grew up saying "Root 66" (like in the song) but calling the roads near my house in Illinois "Rowt 31 and Rowt 72". No idea why! And I grew up saying neesh because that's what my mama said... but I have certainly heard loads of Americans say nitch. As for other French words... we Americans try to say herbs and pate (sorry no special characters on my keyboard) in the French way.... but it's rather butchered I'm sure! haha Thanks for recommending my videos. That is very kind of you! XX Dara

[@raycornford283]

"don't hate on people" Dara??? How can one hate ON someone? There's another for your list! I could put up with 'awesome' more easily if it wasn't pronounced 'arrsome'. But none of the 'word' or pronunciation differences bug me quite as much as the American insistence on using adjectives as adverbs.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Hate on is probably a Southern thing ;-)

[@BeckyPoleninja]

My fruend from Boston U.S has lived here 30 years and agrees now with how Americans ask for things, "Get me" "Give me" "I'll have" 'I'll take", rather than "" or "Please can I have" "I'd like the .. please"

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

It's amazing what you think is totally fine if you have grown up always hearing it that way...

[@andybaker2456]

I watch a lot of travel videos on KZbin, and something I've noticed recently is the habit of Americans to say "I'll do the..." when specifying what they'd like from a menu. In countries where English isn't the first language, this often causes the server to look at them blankly for a few moments while they try and work out what exactly they mean by "I'll do the chicken"!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@andybaker2456 that sounds kinky! 😳

[@andybaker2456]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Haha, yes, maybe I should have said Lasagna rather than chicken! 😆

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@andybaker2456 🤣🤣🤣

[@Lily_The_Pink972]

Would of, could of etc is rife in Britain and is extremely annoying. It's all down to kids not being taught or caring about correct punctuation and grammar. It's also associated with lack of understanding of the correct use of apostrophes. Drives me nuts!!!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Oh yes... apostrophes. I have a couple British friends with a KZbin channel who use the apostrophe incorrectly in their channel name... I have been debating for ages if I should say something. But I don't want to offend them!

[@Lily_The_Pink972]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Best not to offend them! I don't know if he's still active, but in Bristol there was an older gentleman who went round at night adding and deleting apostrophes in signage such as shop names, advertising boards etc. He took great pride in his work! By the way, thanks for taking the time to reply to people's comments.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@Lily_The_Pink972 you are very welcome! Wow that guy took his Grammar Police 👮 job seriously!😳

[@Lily_The_Pink972]

@@MagentaOtterTravels A Great British eccentric!

[@robertwatford7425]

I'm a great fan of language, and the diversity thereof. I love to hear how non-Brits speak English, I just reserve the right not to join in. Where you would say, "y'all" I might say "you lot." You say, "my bad," I say, "oops." You say, "have a nice day," I would rather bite my tongue off...

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes I know a KZbinr who starts every video addressing "you lot" . LOL... Have a nice day! ☀️ Cheers! Dara

[@helenwood8482]

Cute is the worst insult you can level at anything, unless aimed at a puppy or kitten. It is so profoundly hurtful that if you said it about my house, you would never be invited again. I had to dtop watching one couple's videos, because despite being asked many times to stop, they called everything cute.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

It's a hard habit to break... but I've been working on it for four years!

[@barriehull7076]

To take something with a "grain of salt" or "pinch of salt" is an English idiom that suggests to view something, specifically claims that may be misleading or unverified, with skepticism or to not interpret something literally. In the old-fashioned English units of weight, a grain weighs approximately 65 mg, which is about how much table salt a person might pick up between the fingers as a pinch.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I had no idea that's what a "grain" meant! Thanks for that backstory 😉

[@krisjonesuk]

Some English people have accents where they don’t pronounce the T, particularly in east and south London and parts of Essex. In my school days we did an exchange visit with a school in Lancashire and I recall an Essex boy demanding, “Pass the budhaa”, to which a Lancastrian girl replied, “It’s not budhaa, it’s boutta”. In case you’re not clear, the boy was after butter. Pronunciation varies greatly across the UK and there’s often no right or wrong. The King’s English is really only spoken by the King, and it’s often mocked. The cartoonist Steve Bell often mocked Royal pronunciation and did a cartoon of Charles saying “trizzers” for trousers. In my 61 years I’ve probably heard schedule pronounced “skedule” as much as “shedule”. It didn’t occur to me that the former pronunciation was American until I heard an employment tribunal chairman take exception to a witness saying “skedule”, telling him he wasn’t in America. I don’t think it really matters how it’s pronounced since people will know what is meant either why. Place names are often confusing because pronunciation is often rooted in local dialect, or perhaps dictated by the upper classes. When Princess Diana died it was announced she would be buried in the grounds of the Althorp estate. Newsreaders initially pronounced Althorp as it was spelt, but then adapted to call it “Altrop”, apparently because that was how the family referred to it. Similarly, the Cadogan estate which lies south of Knightsbridge in London, is referred to by its owners as “Kerdoggan”. I’m sure it isn’t a problem just here in Blighty. I wonder why Arkansas and Kansas have such different pronunciations. I tend to think when we listen to how people speak we are often trying to work out whether they belong to the same group as us - the same culture, class, etc. Etiquette works in much the same way. I see lots of videos telling American visitors to the UK not to do this or that, but I always think visitors are entitled to behave as themselves and not be required to conform. PS. Some in the UK use the word “Yous”, which I think is similar to Y’all.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thank you very much for all the thoughts you shared in your comment. All very interesting! Yes, some Britons have dropped the T in the middle of their words. My little niece is in one of my video shorts and it's so cute how she says "bu'uh" for butter. Ian and I always roll our eyes at how many Americans have started doing a similar thing... they say "mou'in" for mountain and "buh'in" for button. But as you say... we know what they are saying and so we need to just chill and be a little more tolerant ;-) Have a nice day! heehee ... Dara

[@djs98blue]

I work in a university and I get a little surprised when British colleagues sometimes say ree search instead of research

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

They much have been watching too many American films ;-)

[@djs98blue]

@@MagentaOtterTravelsexactly - it’s entirely subconscious

[@aidencox790]

@@djs98blue No, I went to Uni years and tears ago (I'm 82) - that's where you go to learn to stop thinking 🙃

[@MillsyLM]

53 year old here, I've said "SKedule" for as long as I've been able to comprehend what i say. The only things that Americans say that mildly annoy me are the overstressing of ORY at the end of words eg Territory. A DEE das (the clothing brand) is grating too.There's a KZbin channel Feli from Germany who addressed this because it's a German company and Americans say it incorrectly (as above) and she got told she was wrong! It is Adi Das named after the guy who invented the company. Apart from those two things i really couldn't care less.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I love Feli's channel! Her videos on pronouncing brand names are great. Ian has been practicing speaking German for years, and we are excited to be spending the month of September in Germany this year!

[@nickyoung6305]

Hi Dara - loved this video! I think that most of the things you have mentioned really don't bother me at all here in Buckinghamshire - certainly nothing to "hate" or get your knickers in a twist about!! Only a couple of things that grate with me - the American pronunciation of the words Caribbean and Renaissance. Plus the overuse of the word "nice' - I was always taught at school that it was a very lazy / non-descriptive word to use, and should be avoided - we were told to use a better descriptive word ( such as lovely, beautiful, delightful, pleasant etc ). So the use of "Have a nice day" grates for that reason really. Love your humour in the videos and your very kind comments about the UK. Nick

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks for watching! Yes, "hate" is a strong word... really an exaggeration for the sake of the KZbin algorithm, LOL! Yes, Americans pronounce Renaissance differently... one of the million words in which we put an accent on a different syllable! But as for Caribbean, Americans pronounce it BOTH ways!! Just like we pronounce route both ways! You just need to hang out with Americans who say it the way you like :-) Cheers! Dara

[@helenwood8482]

Have a nice day is not just insincere, but intrusive. I work in a shop and I don't want to be told how to spend the rest of my day. For all the American knows, I sm going to a funeral after work. I hate are you alright too, unless the person is about to faint. What's wrong with hello and goodbye? In the UK may I help you means, I think you are trying to steal something.

[@barriehull7076]

Garnish is an extra surely. A bunch of flowers is correct. What are a bunch of flowers called? BOUQUET definition in American English | Collins English ... A bouquet is a bunch of flowers which is attractively arranged. The woman carried a bouquet of dried violets. Synonyms: bunch of flowers, spray, garland, wreath.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I regret that I only discovered "garnish" is another example of an opposite word. I wish I had included it in my video about opposite meanings from the week before!

[@FionaEm]

Aussie here. I agree with the Brits that "bay-sil" is bizarre 😅 Pronouncing 'herbs' without the h also sounds weird to me. That said, we also pronounce t's like d's., more like Americans do. To make things even more complex, we don't pronounce r's at the end of words - so we end up with wadah, buddah, sistah, brothah etc 😅 Americans find that hilarious!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thanks for bringing an Aussie comparison into the mix! The funniest pronunciation from Down Under was how Crocodile Dundee said Knife and White. The fact that white sounds like weight makes me giggle. Cheers! Dara

[@elizabetherwin1315]

Such a fun topic, Dara. I so love and appreciate how the Brits have maintained their customary 'proper' expression of certain phrases and words...one of which is the word 'water'. How nearly Shakespearean in its presentation. I have noticed as well, after watching programs on Britbox, how course Americans can sound with their shredding of some words and phrases with the flattening or abbreviation of certain vowels...'book' and 'fortune' being examples. Nonetheless, thank you, dear girl, for your lovely presentation. Always love your Friday vids. Cheerio!!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I totally agree, Elizabeth! When I am in Britain I find myself feeling like my accent is coarse... and I notice myself unconsciously modifying the way I say some of my vowels! As I sit and edit videos, I'm laughing at myself when I hear the way I pronounce "area" in the narration I filmed at the end of the summer, for example! Conversely, at the end of my seven months in Texas, I filmed myself talking and noticed how I sounded more American! It's very subtle. But the biggest thing that my friends notice is how I pronounce words. I get in the habit of saying strawberry or Amazon the English way and it's hard to shake! 😆

[@VaughanCockell]

My pet hate is the phrase "off of", used by both Americans and fellow British. The "of" serves no purpose there. Why not simply say "off", such as "Get off that fence!"

[@grahvis]

I think that is the thing I notice most.

[@Nick_r]

The dislike of using quaint or cute, I think stems from early post war US tourists who tended to treat us as poor cousins and were rather patronising. I grew up in Suffolk during 1950s/60s, we had loads of US airmen stationed there so we saw quite a bit of this attitude. I was at my grandmother’s one day and we saw an American couple walk into the front garden to peer through the window. Granny went outside to ask them what they were doing and they were most affronted at being challenged! It’s not like that now as far as I know but for some of us the words still grate.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

As you know, I spend a LOT of time in Cotswold villages. The perfect examples are Lower Slaughter and Castle Combe. They have TINY cottages that are right along the main pavements/sidewalks that tourists traverse when they visit the village. In these "cute" villages these tourists have a struggle to not peer inside these "quaint" cottages because they are so captivated by the fact they are so old and "darling"... but I feel bad for the occupants who actually live there and don't appreciate having their privacy invaded on the daily!!!

[@Nick_r]

@@MagentaOtterTravels I understand their curiosity and it’s easy to say folk shouldn’t live there if they don’t like living in a goldfish bowl but that’s not fair. They are homes and some families have lived in those “cute” cottages for generations. It’s not just folk from the USA though, folk from the far east can be very inquisitive too. I’ve only been a victim of it a very few times but that was enough for me. Round the corner from me is Alfriston and pretty as it is, I would never live there as it’s heaving at weekends in the summer.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@Nick_r ooooh don't mention Alfriston! Now I want a cream tea! 😩

[@Nick_r]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Time to get the dust off your Scone baking skills methinks 😉

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@Nick_r actually, i'm planning to try making scones and clotted cream again next week! Wish me luck. Every time I try it here in Texas it's a disaster...

[@155stw]

“I bought this toothbrush at the dollar store”. “Far out. That’s awesome dude”

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

You sounds like a surfer 🏄‍♂️

[@madcyclist58]

I don't think anyone really gets upset by spelling or pronunciation, it's more grammar; but it's not just Americans who are guilty. The real gripe is the subversion of the language " I was DECIMATED", "She is one of the ONLY", "I COULD care less". A single person can't be decimated (even in the modern usage). Only means unique (unless being used as emphasis). What she can be is "One of the FEW". And if you could care less, it dosen't mean you don't care at all, but that you care a little bit. ps Sorry, I just remembered that "speak to" instead of "talk about" and "based off of" instead of "based on" do irritate me as well.😉

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I think the incorrect grammar examples are the most irritating... but face it, we ALL have pronunciation differences that annoy us. But as I just told someone else... if English people can fight to the death over how to pronounce scone, is it any wonder that the way Americans say things is maddening? LOL Cheers for watching and commenting! Dara

[@madcyclist58]

@@MagentaOtterTravels 😀

[@theresabigwideworld2632]

Dove is the past tense of dive, so it's corrected to say 'I dove into the pool'. Irregular past tense is always interesting and the differences I found is that British English still uses some that American doesn't eg spelt as in "I spelt the word wrong' Americans would use 'spelled'. Brits use 'learnt' 'I learnt how to do that' compared to Americans "I learned how to do that'. During university I did a Summer School in Europe run by an American university and had a interesting time with the American teachers! It's wasn't just a case of saying 'cookies, sweater and trash'!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes you are absolutely right! It's amazing how many terms we use differently!

[@Gmachine88]

Remember folks, Hobbits live in the Shire (shy-er), Brits live in the shire (sure / sh-ur), like Berkshire and Hertfordshire.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Good point 😉. Americans do fine saying New Hampshire, so in theory we are capable of saying Shire both ways 🤣

[@pabmusic1]

English did have 2nd person singular and plural - thee/thou (singular) and you (plural). But like French we started using the plural as a singular in 'polite' speech. The older form of the past participle of dive is dived. But dove came about in the 1800s in America (it's in Moby Dick!) and Merriam-Webster accepts it as standard, together with dived. Aluminum and aluminium.really are different. When Humphrey Davey first isolated the metal he called it alumium (the base ore was alum). That didn't catch on and the scientific community preferred aluminum (this is about the 1820s). Then the scientific community changed its mind to aluminium to bring it in line with other similar elements. But the relevant American scientific body refused to change it again (this is still in the 1800s).

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thank you for sharing the backstory and context. That is really interesting! Just shows that language evolves... and that the US and UK have chosen to go there own way on quite a few terms! Cheers! Dara

[@barriehull7076]

Your sweatshirt is cute and quaint. What is the difference between a sweater and a sweatshirt? Sweater vs Sweatshirt: Sweaters are typically more form-fitting and often styled for a more formal or dressy occasion, and can be paired with skirts, dress pants, or jeans. On the other hand, sweatshirts are more relaxed and often styled for a more casual occasion, and can be paired with leggings, jeans, or shorts. I have a friend who always says bought when he means brought. I also had a friend from Lancashire and she always wrote has when she meant as. This video is a proper job. Interjection. proper job. (UK, West Country) Good work; well done. "I've painted the fence." "Proper job!"

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Here is my opinion on sweater versus sweatshirt: it's all about the material with which it is made! A sweatshirt is made out of fleece fabric that is smooth on the outside and fuzzy on the inside, same as sweatpants. But a sweater is made out of knitted yarn. Do you call a sweatshirt a jumper?

[@jaqkhan113]

I'm never annoyed by American's speaking the way they do, althought I admit to wincing a bit with a few of the pronounciations. Mostly I just get frustrated about younger people adopting Americanisms (even though I know I shouldn't) The main one for me is the use of Pinky instead of little finger. As a music teacher that comes up a lot and really does bug me.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Oh yes. In your line of work I can see that annoyance happening on the daily!

[@paulguise698]

Hiya Everyone who's reading this, I suggested this vlog to Dara sort of by accident, all I said was I hate it when American people describe food as "BAD BOYS", Dara said "I'm going to do a vlog about Americanisms that annoy British people", so BOBS YOUR UNCLE, I'm CHUFFED Dara's decided to do it, hooray, I hope our American cousins like the British phrases I've put in my message, this is Choppy in Whitehaven, Cumbria, England

[@Poliss95]

@paulguise698 My granny lived in Whitehaven many, many, many years ago.

[@Poliss95]

@@paulguise698 No, sorry. It must have been over 100 years ago now and she never said.

[@ruthgoebel723]

Great video, Dara. I believe that whatever side of the Atlantic we inhabit, we can allow each other some grace in our vocabularies. With the world in its current state, getting our knickers in a twist about word meanings just isn't that important. Thanks for sharing!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Well said! I agree completely.

[@lesleywhibley]

The thing I don't like it that everyone thinks that London is England but there is much more to England than just London.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I agree! I cannot tell you how many times I have told someone "I have a flat in England" and then 5 minutes later they say "when do you move to your flat in London?". I will nicely correct them and say "we go to our flat in ENGLAND in May" and then a couple more times in the conversation they will say it AGAIN... e.g, "how long do you live in London?". It drives me bats!

[@4000ChacoRoad]

The issue of English place name pronunciations reminds me of a short trip that I took to Taunton, Somerset. Along the way I saw a sign for Hatch Beauchamp. I mentioned to my cousin and her neighbor that I had Beauchamp ancestors (allies of William the Conqueror) after whom that place was named. I pronounced that French name in the French style as Bow-shomp. They were rather confused/annoyed and informed me that the name is pronounced as Beach-am. Go figure...

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Like I say, it's impossible to predict! You always just have to get a local to tell you. I never would've guessed that one!

[@Beejay950]

Back in the 70's I had a work colleague named Beauchamp, who pronounced it Beach-am. I left there and at my next job there was also someone named Beauchamp, who pronounced it Beau-champ.

[@caroldonaldson5936]

Its amazing how often 'playdough' comes up in a philosophical discussion - we call him Plato ('Play-toe').

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

LOL, indeed!

[@matc6221]

'Normalcy' I thought it wasn't correct, like 'conversate' for conversation used in America also. Either way, if I remember correctly 'normalcy' was a slogan word used by a US politician in the 70s, and it caught on.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

There goes advertising messing with our language again! LOL I've not heard "conversate"... but I won't be surprised if that becomes a normally used word!

[@matc6221]

@@MagentaOtterTravels hahaI have heard 'conversate' occasionally by people on Judge Judie. She says "And this is modern America!' Before telling them there is no such word, lol

[@ianprince1698]

I find it difficult to picture 50 hundred rather than 5 thousand which is what I would say

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Who says 50 hundred?

[@grahvis]

I would say so many hundreds if hundreds were part of the number, such as thirteen hundred rather than one thousand three hundred. However, not if it is a round number of thousands.

[@auldfouter8661]

Did Dara say the shop assistant had to make change all day? We'd say give change surely? We also talk about wages getting docked when money is deducted.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Haha even more differences!

[@matc6221]

'I could care less', ''I did it on accident', "Me either'

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes, those are all annoying.

[@helenwood8482]

Garnish means to add herbs and garnering means to gather, so unless you are paying him in basil, you are just getting the word wrong.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Well, garnish does mean to dock someone's pay in correct American English...

[@chrisy8989]

@@MagentaOtterTravels You are correct but this is the first time I've heard garnish used this way.

[@terryware8200]

​@MagentaOtterTravels, without having your explanation, I would have understood the phrase "garnishing someone's pay" as adding to it. 😊

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@terryware8200 that's a word I should have used in the "opposites" video that I did last week! 😳

[@vaska1999]

​@@MagentaOtterTravels We say the same thing in Canada, especially in a formal (legal) context, and use "dock" more informally.

[@paulhanson5164]

As long as somebody is attempting to be polite and friendly I really couldn't care what they say, we are all a bit different so embrace it and have some fun with it. The only time Americans or anybody else for that matter will rub me up the wrong way is when they insult my country.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I agree. As long as we are being respectful, we should try to allow for differences 🤗

[@stephenlee5929]

Hi, My problem with Math verses Maths. In general we only here this in the Term 'You do the Math', Generally after an American has failed to understand a situation and put forward a poor solution, and having done the Maths, we realise it. Its a crass (and intentional) put down in the first place and often wrong.

[@richardbrown8852]

I note your comment about cashiers having to stand all day (I assume at the supermarket?). Why would you make your cashiers stand unless you were some kind of sadist? In the UK cashiers have chairs. If you want to say “math” then fine - what does grate is when you have a British actor playing a British character saying “math” because it is an American film, and the screenwriter was American. I’ve never heard a Brit say “math”. I’ve never heard of “goose pimples” before so that must be down to regional variation. Glad you’ve recovered from the Covid.

[@hannalee5756]

I suspect you may be younger than me (late 60s) because I'd never come across the term "goose bumps" until the '80s/'90s, but it seems to be ubiquitous now.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I filmed this before Covid, thank goodness! I still don't feel camera ready ;-) YES! American retail companies ARE sadists and make cashiers stand all day! It is very different from British supermarkets, I've noticed! I had no idea that some British people say goosebumps! What about ladybugs?

[@terryware8200]

​@@MagentaOtterTravelsladybugs? No, definitely Ladybirds for me.

[@ashleighhogan941]

Don't take any notice of the vitreous comments. We love you and these are people who have nothing better to do. 🥰

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thank you very much! Some people take themselves too seriously and don't have much of a sense of humour 😉. Cheers! Dara

[@barriehull7076]

Why is a ladybug not a bug? The “Bugs” characterise mainly with sucking mouthparts, which the ladybird lack. In American English, there are lots of insects that carry “bug” in their names but are not actually bugs.3 Mar 2021

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

That may be... but it certainly doesn't look like a BIRD to me! haha

[@marymellor7214]

Hi there, garnish is to decorate food, having worked in payroll for nearly 20 years never heard of garnering . If we had an order from a court it would be be an attachment of earnings, just refered to as an attachment. No problem with a bunch of, perfectly understandable. My biggest one is normalcy.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I find the garnering thing very confusing. We definitely say "garnish" in the states, where in the UK I think it's docking or "an attachment". Interesting! Thanks for your comment. Dara

[@marymellor7214]

Cocking may have applied to hourly pair people paid in cash, reductions just a general term for anything deducted. An attachment has the force of law as it is usually ordered by a court. Never heard of garnering or garnering with regard to payroll in England and Wales Both Scotland and Northern Ireland have different legal systems and therefore may use other terms. Anyway love the videos. It's always refreshing to see an American willing to go the extra mile to understand our idioms like mad as a box of frogs. Got another one for you " go to the foot of our stairs" as in I don't believe you, but lighthearted. You should visit North WAles for some excellent places to see and pronunciations that are unbelievable! 🌝

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@marymellor7214 I haven't heard go to the foot of the stairs! That's great. Yes, I love North Wales, but haven't been there since I started my KZbin channel. We need to go back! ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@marymellor7214]

Following further research, I have found that garnishing relates to freezing someone's bank account in the case of civil debt, nothing to do with payroll, My husband and I are originally from Cheshire and Lancashire and frequently go to bakers shops and ask for balm cakes and were met with blank stares in North wales, where the items are known as bread rolls.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@marymellor7214 oh my goodness, bread rolls have so many different names across the British Isles!

[@adrianboardman162]

Two things you need to understand. America are our cousins, so there will always be that kind of rivalry, but it's generally not malicious, even though they do, do things that mildly irritate us. Secondly, Americans can give as good as they get. It's like having to deal with a pair of teenagers squabbling, both of us occasionally need a time out.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

haha, definitely! This is the internet... so I will get a few real trolls on this video that will say positively HATEFUL things about Americans. I delete them. But for everyone else who is just taking the mick or sarcastically (yet good-naturedly) teasing... yes, that's to be expected ;-)

[@jenniferwhite3258]

Many British place names are not pronounced as they are spelled but a lot of American travel bloggers make no attempt to find out how to pronounce them or European place names when there are plenty of online sites which demonstrate how. Alternative words used in the same sentence, e.g. 'stagnancy and stagnation'. My pet hate: 'lay' instead of 'lie'. Lay is the past tense of lie (but is also used in the context of 'lay an egg', 'lay the table' or 'lay down the law').

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I learnt that grammar rule in school, but I have such difficulty retaining it in my memory! Every time I want to say "I need to go lay down"... I hesitate and can't remember if it's "lay down" or "lie down"!!!

[@stephenlee5929]

Hi, Re 'My Bad', I think this might have been a German, or other European phase. I first heard it from Michael Schumacher (F1 racing driver). I think the problem with this is its an acceptance of fault in a statement the recipient did not understand. So I (the recipient of an apology) am angry and frustrated. It's similar to when a tourist, say 'I told you excuse me' when they meant 'I said 'excuse me'' .

[@sidney4329]

I don't think you should feel that every little criticism of America is anti-American. I criticize America all the time (land of Idiocracy!) and I'm an American. Some criticism is deserved.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I'm not overly sensitive. But if someone leaves a really long rant about how completely stupid and idiotic all Americans are, I will delete them. I just did a couple minutes ago...

[@andyt8216]

@@MagentaOtterTravelsI was going to say, that I am sure you are savvy and intelligent enough to differentiate between a tongue in cheek comment and something unnecessarily nasty and uncalled for from a troll 🧌!

[@ruthgoebel723]

As an American, I feel comfortable saying there is much idiocy in our country these days, but then again, the whole world seems to be spinning out of control. Different countries do/say/interpret things differently. There more serious things to get our knickers in a twist about today than our vocabularies!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@ruthgoebel723 I agree!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@andyt8216 yes, most of the time. A true troll is obvious. But sometimes British people have such a sarcastic sense of humour I'm not sure if they are being funny or seriously mean.

[@pamelsims2068]

I am English I may say a picturesque village is Quaint. I don't say cute. Puppies are cute. Stuffed toys are cute.... toddlers with chocolate over their face are cute. But when a 600 year old collection of buildings riddled with history , which makes the local residents' hearts swell with pride, is downgraded by its looks to "cute" , it is a bit of a slap in the face!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I hear you. That is how the word is perceived by Britons. But in fact the American saying it is NOT intending to be condescending or patronising or belittling. They love that gorgeous village! They just don't understand the way the word is perceived ;-)

[@johnwaldron7490]

None of us are perfect we all have things that others do that annoy us. For me a golfer is when I’m watching it from the USA and some prat when the Pro tees off shouts, in the hole, mashed potatoes, light the candle or your the man. But by far the biggest is Plagiarism, taking something you didn’t invent then claiming it as your own. A perfect example was when an American in the U.K stopped me to ask for directions, and in English they asked me if I spoke American. They say ignorance is bliss, they were the most blissful people I’ve ever met, but I’ve met many nice ones as well.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Funny story 😆

[@timwills4481]

On my last trip, I stayed at a B&B owned by a former teacher who was still involved in a local school. I said both Arundel and Fishbourne wrong, and she corrected me on both, which I appreciated. My view on the cute and quaint issue is that so much American development is ugly and unfriendly to bicyclists and pedestrians. Considering that, it’s no wonder someone would use those words to describe built development in Great Britain. Speaking of quaint, Vicki Pipe of “All the Stations” fame developed a quaint scale to rate railway stations based on architectural interest, quality of flowers & landscaping, or lack thereof.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Arundel is one that I might try to say differently.... but the same thing keeps coming out of my mouth! LOL I think cute and quaint are used in a positive way by Americans, so it's sad that it is perceived in a condescending way. The roads are so much smaller, and often the buildings in villages are small as well... so I can see why Americans say cute or quaint. But I have certainly broken MY habit ;-) Fun story about the "quaint scale"... I had not heard that! Cheers! Dara

[@helenwood8482]

Most of the food words don't bother me, but as entree is French for starter, using it for the main course makes no sense.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

I'd like to talk to the person who decided that Americans should call the main course the entree... when it comes after the appetizers!

[@AndreaW-ur9qm]

Great video 👍🏾🙌🏾Being different is what makes us all unique. As an American we say vacation, UK says holiday. In the US holiday is a specific occasion like Christmas, Easter. We say apartment they say “a flat”, we say rent $$$ I think they say “let” ? Not sure

[@terryware8200]

Both rent and let are used in the UK. They're interchangeable.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thank you for your comment! People in Britain do say rent, although for an apartment or Flat you could say let. If they are talking about a car, they would probably say hire instead of rent. Cheers! Dara

[@stephenlee5929]

@@MagentaOtterTravels Re let or rent, in UK , as the owner of a flat I would 'let' it, as the occupant I would 'rent' it, it's similar to 'Lend' and 'Borrow', the owner Lends the non owner Borrows. I think only real estate is let, a car can be rented, 'hired' suggests for a journey/job, as in a Taxi/Cab/Uber, I have no-idea what the owner of a rental car does, they certainly don't 'let' it.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@stephenlee5929 oh wow, that's confusing! Do you call it a "hire car" or a "rental car"?

[@stephenlee5929]

@@MagentaOtterTravels I'm sorry, I really don't know. So many of our business terms are mixed with US business terms. I did for a while work for Daimler Hire a UK company owned (at that time) by Hertz Rental Cars.

[@geoffryall2892]

Love your thoughts and ideas .

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thank you for being open-minded! Cheers! Dara

[@bobbyxhilone9953]

Well done, Dara. This was a fun, yet tough, topic to deal with, and you did a wonderful job. You hit the nail on the head with all of these references. I particularly am glad that you mentioned the "t" sound in the middle of words becoming a "d" in our American speech. One incident that always comes to my mind is in the lyrics of Paul Simon's "Call Me Al". One of the lines is "I can call you Betty," but everyone thinks he's saying "Eddie" because of course he's pronouncing it "Beddy"! 🤣🎶

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Oh that's funny! I've not heard that story. Thanks for sharing it 💖.

[@alandjenkins]

The thing about that T/D thing is that isn’t exclusively American. In England some accents (like mine) use a glottal stop which has a similar effect - wa’er, Bri’ain, brigh’er - where the T is pretty much unsounded. My posh aunt used to tell me off when I asked for a “glass o’ wa’er…” by saying, “do you mean waTer, Alan? Then say ‘waTer’!”

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@alandjenkins yes! Some folks in England skip the T, and Americans turn it into a D. But lots of Americans these days pronounce words without the T in the middle... moun'in for mountain and buh'in for button. That bugs Ian and me 😉.... grumpy old gits!

[@sueannemetz1285]

Oh my. I was happy and looking forward to watching this video! But boy was I surprised!!!!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Do you feel judged? 😳

[@sueannemetz1285]

@@MagentaOtterTravels kinda….😅

[@MegaMantim]

Note to all Americans: Don't go to the U.K. unless you absolutely have to...If thats all it takes for someone to get irritated just stay home and vacation (Holiday) in the U.S.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Thankfully not ALL Britons are grumpy old gits that will pick on how Americans speak! haha

[@andreaL3733]

Hi Dara, Great video. I am neither American or British but have been living in UK for nearly 20 years. Came without any English and while I learned it here i pronounce some words with British and some with American accent (worked for British and Americans ) and I can’t care less what people think even though I get funny look 😂. And when traveled to USA people were so nice and exited to hear my British accent with some American 🤷🏼‍♀️🥰. Let’s respect each other and world will be better place to live ❤

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

VERY well said, Andrea. We need to have a sense of humour and be open to various interpretations of language. And when someone takes on the job of LEARNING this crazy language called English, we should be patient and understanding. Thanks for your comment! Cheers! Dara

[@jackmellor5536]

Some Scottish people say the word yous for plural you. I live in Edinburgh and I heard people say yous in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife. I sometimes say it even though I'm originally from England but have lived most of my life in Scotland.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

In the northeast US, it would be youz guyz 🤣

[@helenwood8482]

A bunch of flowers is correct. A bunch means a group vollected together to be held in the hand or a vase.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

But I say "bunch of" for everything in the world, not just flowers... ;-)

[@kaymgee08]

@@MagentaOtterTravels I've actually heard 'a bunch of water'!

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

@@kaymgee08 yes, I heard that was in a Monty Python sketch! I haven't been able to find it on KZbin though...

[@andypandy9931]

Yes there are quite a few expressions I very much dislike, in fact a lot especially when they are adopted by British people. One such is the inappropriate and nonsensical use of the word "Like," which seems to have spread throughout half the world.

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Yes, it is so overused! Like all the time!

[@Poliss95]

My 1,872 page Cambridge dictionary has no entry for Coronated. 😁

[@annhamer2734]

Look for to coronate

[@glastonbury4304]

You also need to look who owns the Oxford dictionary and Collins dictionary online as well...and who owns same said dictionaries as printed books....

[@Poliss95]

@@annhamer2734 Coronate isn't there either. Coroneted is there, but it means 1) wearing a coronet or 2) Belonging to the peerage.

[@Poliss95]

@@glastonbury4304 I gave up relying on the OED when they said literally didn't mean literally. 😁

[@glastonbury4304]

@Poliss95 ...I believe the constant misuse of the word, they had to change its meaning...that's what such a living language is...I'm quite proud that it's probably the only real living language left now, that has words continually being added, removed forever changing and developing whilst constantly fitting into the world at any particular time...

[@Waspy50]

I think language is constantly changing and as you rightly say younger people are adopting more and more Americanisms through exposure to American media, it's pretty unstoppable and I have no problem with that. Now having said all that (LOL) I think 'pled' is a similar case to 'dove' but I have even heard British journalists using 'pled' recently. 'Insure' is a strange one, Americans seem to say 'insure' when they really mean 'ensure'. One word that has always puzzled me is 'solder' as in to solder an electrical connection with a soldering iron. I have noticed Americans pronounce it 'sodder' which I find strange, I wonder how it came about that they just stopped pronouncing the L in solder? Have you ever read The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way by Bill Bryson? You strike me as the KZbin version of Bill Bryson 🙂

[@MagentaOtterTravels]

Insure and ensure... inquire and enquire... I'm always confused by those! Good question about pronouncing solder... my guess would be that Americans were trying to be French, but I have no idea! Thanks for the compliment! We LOVE Bill Bryson!