Americans React to Simplifying English for Americans - Michael McIntyre

[@tonyhelliar3719]

One that makes me laugh is Americans calling Guide Dogs, ‘seeing eye dogs’.

[@miasancto]

Because “seeing eye” is a charity for guid dogs in America, so they say the name of the charity instead of what they actually are

[@kerryedwardspaine5185]

I use to call them blind dogs, lol

[@Noobie2k7]

@@EaterOfBaconSandwiches yeah. As opposed to all of those hearing eyes and smelling eyes.

[@rooooooby]

They are technically guide dogs in America also.

[@robertknight2556]

@@miasancto ...I welcome that there is such a charity in the US. Here, the charity is referred to as The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association'. We don't have a problem with the word, blind.

[@michael-pn9po]

Pavement refers to . It's taken from the Latin pavimentum, which means “trodden down floor.” Trodden on because it's for pedestrians.

[@purplefood1]

Damn we're fancy as fuck

[@wotsitjimbob2271]

Lol i always thought it was pavement because its pavings slabs lol

[@realburglazofficial2613]

“Trash Can” = a can for trash (same for Garbage Can) “Diesel Fuel” = not to be confused with the clothing brand, cant be stuffing them jeans into your fuel tank. “Tuna Fish” = as opposed to another animal named Tuna.

[@jillhobson6128]

To me, a can is made of metal so can't refer to a basket

[@realburglazofficial2613]

@@jillhobson6128 which is why Americans use both! We just call it a bin.

[@LadyNikitaShark]

English is my second language. In school, English teachers always gave us list of vocabulary in British and American English to compare. Seeing if something was written in British or American English was a game we did in class a lot.

[@darkraft1020]

You mean 'English and American English' :P The Aussies & Kiwis speak the correct version of English. Just those Americans, they have to be different, lol That is cool though, being taught both and the little game :)

[@theblackbaron4119]

@@darkraft1020 *English and English simplified

[@stevenmclaren2730]

I love that. The beauty in language is in its diversity

[@krakendragonslayer1909]

@@stevenmclaren2730 In next 400 years English will be internally as diversified as Slavic languages

[@stevenmclaren2730]

@@krakendragonslayer1909 I've no idea. I'm a wee bit drunk

[@iainfield9906]

I have to say, having your wife involved is brilliant. You are such a lovely couple.

[@danosverige]

Except he looks like he wants to slap her every time she butts in! 😂

[@Mesjoukje]

Oh, you could give the 1D interview a shot that follows, Micheal stays on the couch. He literally saves the entire interview, bless him. it's on youtube. ^^

[@sage7980]

The best! He is so funny during that bit! I almost die laughing every time I see it.

[@Klogalous]

I gotta say i subscribed to a lot of American channels that react to UK content and you guys are head and shoulders above the rest imho, keep it up!

[@midwestamericans3806]

Thank you so much, that means alot!

[@davidhyams2769]

If you already have the word "road" for where the vehicles go, why would you then choose to call that "pavement" then have to make up a new word "sidewalk" for the safe space for pedestrians? Makes no sense! The "pavement" in the UK is "paved" with concrete "paving slabs", so why would you call it anything else?

[@Martin-88]

Another one that's always confused me is 'tuna fish'. Surely everyone knows it's a fish 😂

[@royhardy407]

An older clip but one that is hilarious is the late Peter Sellers being interviewed on the Michael Parkinson show. I never tire of watching it - so funny and gives an insight into the Yorkshire accent. Keep it up you two, great to watch you both.

[@josefschiltz2192]

"aYE! . . he hee . . right bludy Yorkshire!" I remember it well. With - at the beginning - Peter turning up in full German uniform . . vith Churchill, ze thin Churchill, ze fat Churchill. Rotten, rotten paintings!" All because PS felt uncomfortable turning up as himself, having to be in a part in order to get himself on to be interviewed. He had felt like cancelling. Parky had said, "Come on in disguise, whatever you like, just come!"

[@davepoul8483]

I love the way your trying to explain the glasses.. if you have people round for drinks you get the glasses, no need to explain the drinking bit.. if you go to an optician hes not after a drink :) love the channel keep it up

[@jackwhitbread4583]

Maybe Brits are just far more intelligent! We can tell the difference between glasses for drinks and glasses you wear so don't need to come up with ludicrous ways to make sure they are differentiated

[@ameer8203]

@@jackwhitbread4583 it's depending on the context

[@dave_h_8742]

@@jackwhitbread4583 Some of the guys I've worked with you wouldn't trust them with a stick let alone a sharpened one 😂

[@biscuitsbrown3330]

Opticians is what we call the eye doctors

[@simonsaunders8147]

Moreover the tend to use the more medically correct term 'optometrist', now.

[@jackwhitbread4583]

@@simonsaunders8147 no, opticians is the place optometrist is the eye doctor

[@xenijagrunschnabel7766]

I adore Michael McIntyre. :D It's not only the jokes, it's how he delivers them. I would also suggest to watch his stand-up with the dentist. Almost fell out out of my chair with this one. :D

[@UkStonerFam]

💯 second this!!!!!

[@budd2nd]

Yes plus the MAN DRAWER routine.

[@robs715]

He’s by far the least funny comedian in the uk.

[@budd2nd]

@@robs715 Comedy is such a personal thing, that you can’t make sweeping statements, like you just did. He is one of the highest earning comedians here in the UK. So statistically lots of people obviously disagree with you.

[@xenijagrunschnabel7766]

@@robs715 The good thing is that all people have a different taste^^ But even with that in mind, this is not true.

[@abelovedsonofGodinwhomHeis35-6]

Pavement is concrete, like paving slabs, which is often what pavements were made off, now councils have got lazy and just use the road stuff.

[@juliehillman8743]

Correct, pavements used to be made from large concrete paving slabs or cobblestones. It is now made from tarmac or ulticolour tarmac. At least with the tarmac you don't catch your feet on the uneven slabs. Or worse, sink in to it with water sloshing all over your shoes when it rains.

[@MickeyDJ1]

@@juliehillman8743 Not to mention that paving slabs (which were far more esthetically pleasing) were used to pave (cover) the way ahead. : )

[@NotesOfBoredom]

Pavements can be made from many substances not just concrete... "The road stuff"....?

[@juliehillman8743]

@mulfred100 well that seems to be a feat of engineering. Wonder which Project Manager signed off on the skate park? I can only imagine what it is like in winter!

[@colinglen4505]

Americans also insert the words 'go ahead' into a sentence for no reason. Example, i would say 'i'm using the drill now!' The American would say 'I'm going to go ahead and use the drill now!' :o

[@alansmithee8831]

Hello Ethan and Wifey. Brits would hardly ever say eyeglasses for fear of making a spectacle of themselves.

[@pashvonderc381]

I see 👓 what you did there.. 👓

[@midwestamericans3806]

Nice one!

[@chrislyne377]

I may be speaking out of my arse here but I believe 'eyeglasses' is a hangover from when there were lats of different uses of the noun 'glasses' e.g. spyglass - telescope, field glasses - binoculars, looking-glass - mirror etc. Lots of so-called Americanisms are actually older preserved words that have disappeared on this side of the Pond.

[@lizcollinson2692]

Where is spectacles fit in? I'm fishing here.

[@chilli-iceolive-abode2447]

I'm sure I've heard them called _seeing eye glasses_ before which is just the best!

[@cireenasimcox1081]

@@lizcollinson2692 They were named 'spectacles' when they first started to become common in the Early Modern Period (15C-16thC). All thing scientific were given Latin names so the names didn't change in different languages. "Eye-Glasses" came into use in around the18-19C because - as was suggested - by then there were many different kinds of things which used for glass glass lenses. However...it was considered improper to use 'glasses' unless one was in the Army or the Navy...or were a scientist. And by Victorian times, saying "Glasses" was looked upon as slang: the 'correct' word was Spectacles. (Even when I was a small child neither my Grandmother nor her friends would ever says "Glasses"! And I think "specks" would have given them palpitations!:)

[@jillhobson6128]

Does anyone remember the name "speccy 4 eyes" given to children who wore glasses?

[@lizcollinson2692]

@@jillhobson6128 oh yes

[@Andy_U]

Hiya. Check out the 'Michael McIntyre - Send To All' clips from his 'Big Show' series and the 'Michelin Mum Served Her Own Food' prank, also from one of the Shows. It's about 10 mins long and on YT. Stay safe. All the best to you.

[@midwestamericans3806]

thanks a lot have people have recommended that one actually so I'll definitely try and check that out

[@stevenmclaren2730]

I noticed most Europeans say couldn't, wouldn't etc while you could not, would not.

[@chitster]

Paving is slabs of concrete. Asphalt is Asphalt lol

[@frogandspanner]

In Proper English (PE) we call the footway (a legal term for the footpath at the side of a road) a pavement because it is, or historically was, paved - i.e. covered in small elements, not a uniform surface. A road that is paved would be covered in cobbles, setts, or concrete paving slabs. An example is Belgian Pavé. This terminology was adopted by geologists for limestone pavement (e.g. at Malham Cove) which looks as though it has been paved. In PE we call the road the road. We rather like the simplicity of that. We distinguish unmade roads and stone/mineral-covered roads by referring to the latter as "metalled", from the Greek "Metallon", or quarry - where the stone comes from. What Merkins call "Asphalt" we call "Tarmac", because we invented the substance, and the language. It also helps when you go the builders' merchant and say "I'd like my tarmac", because "I'd like my asphalt" might have unfortunate results. Concerning glasses (which we also call spectacles/specs) - this is an example of the default position. Glasses in this context mean prescription ones. Any other (sun, safety) requires an adjective, or further description. We do the same with places, so Paris does not need "France" after it, because that's where Paris is. Any other Paris needs clarification, but not the real one. In the same way we do not need to say Proper English, just English - there is only one proper one. Any other version needs an adjective, such as "A Merkin English".

[@FahadAyaz]

Surprisingly witty! 😂

[@kalinaphillips9779]

If you can watch Michael McIntire Send to All. My favourite is with Ed Ball (who was a politician) and Bradley Walsh (a comedian and game host).

[@jonathanemptage1593]

Watch Michal McIntyre stand up he is so so good the first time I saw him i had trouble breathing he was so funny.

[@MissCaraMint]

I'm pretty sure I've seen them react to him before actually.

[@justsomeguywashwd_jbm821]

Ethan - can you try to get a closer match between the volume of the clips you react to and your own mic volume, please. If I've been watching content by other people & then watch 1 of your vids, I have to turn the volume up to be able to hear the clip properly, but then when either of you two go to speak it's too loud.

[@knightwish1623]

I find this a lot on these reaction channels. You can barely hear the sound from the clip being shown and get your ears blown off by the commentator when they speak because you turned the volume up

[@midwestamericans3806]

So sorry about that. I'll give better attention to that in the future thanks

[@daftirishmarej1827]

@@midwestamericans3806 I love that you listen and take comments onboard! Bravi!! Anche Buoni 😉

[@Zumakiminato]

You should watch Greg Davis on Graham Norton his stories are so funny.

[@lauz-im3ov]

Have you seen Michael Mcintyre's bit about going to the dentist? It's hilarious and probably my favourite thing he's done.

[@carlchapman4053]

We have a special word to separate the part that cars drive along from the part that pedestrian walk along, it called 'ROAD'.

[@leonieburridge9082]

😅so true! After living in Canada for 10+ years and returning to UK, I said 'horse back riding' once during a conversation and never heard the end of it! 😂

[@Skulked]

Watch The Graham Norton show best moments, there are so many compilations, pick any one they are all great or maybe you could do a series where you watch 1 video a week. And the best thing is is not just comedians. Also Graham Norton Red Chair moments are great too.

[@sashataylor-davies7807]

5:16 got so excited lmaoooo

[@ohkaythen93]

What is crazy how little Americans know outside of their own state. I'm from England, and have heard of ALL of your chat shows, without even watching them! Crazy!

[@midwestamericans3806]

well to be fair we don't watch a whole lot of tv in general so we don't keep up on our own talk show host either. Thanks for the comment!

[@DruncanUK]

You really must watch "Queen On Shovel Guitar" with Peter Kay. It is epic, you'll love it!

[@aloh5613]

Hay, I know you're a fan of Gordon Ramsay. Have you ever heard of soccer aid. It's a charity event where celebrities play a football /soccer match. If its available where you are, I think it's something you will both enjoy watching 😊

[@phoenix-xu9xj]

No one is like Graham Norton. He’s the best in the world.

[@pipercharms7374]

Love Micheal Mcintyre, I read his biography at one stage and its sad to see others comedians attitudes towards him, not everyone but many comedians thought his humour was too "safe" and too easy and looked down on him when he starred to shoot up in fame.

[@midwestamericans3806]

Thanks for sharing and I think it's more impressive to be so funny while keeping the comedy clean.

[@kJ922-h3j]

Actually you should do the video of one direction and Michael McIntyre on this show, Michael is hilarious when the do never have I ever

[@jasonfield8823]

In Australia we call it a footpath. or if it has no "path" , just grass, it is a nature strip.

[@carlhartwell7978]

I'm 42 so I feel I've definitely grown a little wiser in regard to my **ahem** hostility to American English. I used to be a little anal about what I still hear some call 'the bastardization' of English. I've come to realize though that in many cases, it's us that changed and not you guys, and even in cases where you have changed it, it often makes far more sense! So I wouldn't be too hard on yourselves if I were you, just politely smile at any pedants and shrug them off. Having said that though, I don't think I'll ever tolerate the obligatory 'like' that some (especially West Coasters) inject into their speech every 4/5 words, or the nonsensical way in which many Americans omit the _'nt_ from _could'nt care less!_

[@happydays3678]

So funny 😆 our pavements in England are different from the road...they are made of paving stones or slabs, not tarmac or concrete...hence they are called pavements. 🤣🤣

[@SgtSteel1]

As a Brit, I love that Americans are really up for some banter and a good laugh. Mostly.

[@simonlockyear4653]

His interview on top gear is amazing 👍

[@Katie-B]

i like how they say americans had to change the word pavement like they existed before the English language, it's always been called pavement lmao XD

[@annother3350]

Racketball is played on a squash court but with completely different racket and ball, and rules

[@johnsymons8246]

Racquetball is the US game Racketball is slightly different.

[@annother3350]

@@johnsymons8246 Yes, one of them you pronounce with a slightly wanky french accent ;O)

[@some_city.girl.x]

Have you ever watched Horrible Histories? Or Doctor Who?

[@PeterPan-ql8kz]

Horrible histories would be funny for them to watch

[@abbafan1972]

I love Michael’s routine about going for a picnic

[@yeovil07]

If you want to see some talk shows then Graham Norton is the man, his talk shows are so funny.

[@pashvonderc381]

2nd that… they’ll probably be shocked that his guests can actually sit there and chat whilst having a beer or wine etc..

[@danosverige]

@@pashvonderc381 - Like Matt Damon says "This my favourite talk show...you get booze!" lol

[@yeovil07]

@@pashvonderc381 it's to make them open up more and it works. 🤣

[@pashvonderc381]

@@yeovil07 yeah I know… it’s not that much of a stigma here as it is for our Colonial cousins it seems..

[@RyderCragie]

I’m British, and we call it a path, not a pavement.

[@MikoZeda]

When you realize people you know in person have become famous/well known across the pond. =O You guys are awesome and love the channel ^.^

[@emmahowells8334]

That's the reason why is we use the context rather than having to fully described what it is, that's a lot easier, that's how we do it in the UK.

[@craigmcvay1]

Pavement or Path is our word for it in the UK the road is made from tar-mac.

[@tvriga2]

Love you two!

[@yggdrasil7942]

J.R should look familiar. He presented the first two series of Penn & Teller Fool Us.

[@jenniferhill1882]

Michael McIntyre speaking the truth not telling jokes.

[@simonbisset4842]

British civil engineer here. General public uses pavement for the pedestrian bit, but in engineering, 'pavement' is anything paved with anything, the pedestrian bit is a footway and the car bit is carriageway.

[@mervinmannas7671]

Micheal Mcintyre does a show here and part of it he takes a celebrties phone and send s a weird text to evryone of their contacts. The results of the replys are hysterical, How ever the best one was when James Cordon turned the table and they did it from Micheals own phone. Micheal got his own back by sending the same message from james's phone. I have watched it a few times and cry with laughter everytime. Link below kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGW4eYWoprR7qZo

[@miasancto]

“It’s a famous boyband from Britain” Niall’s Irish, Ireland isn’t part of the U.K. let alone Britain. For those that are confused, the UK stands for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and consist of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Niall is from the Republic of Ireland, so therefore isn’t from the UK.

[@frankklein4872]

Oh get off ya horseback, yyaawwnn, it is comedy, we all know geography you nazi

[@kaynpaul]

We call it the path which is on the pavement

[@libbybullock8214]

Try watching Michael McIntyre, “Send To All” There are lots to choose from… for your first pic, I’d go with a celebrity victim that you have already heard of… After one or two more celebs you can then react to Michael being interviewed by James Cordon, where they both play ‘SEND TO ALL’… It’s brilliant…x

[@normanmart7933]

He didn't even start on the spelling , that's a whole programme on its own.

[@nicolagrihault1714]

He did send to all with James Corden

[@runped83]

they do , but the weird part is , fotball (soccer) uses feet to play , but (american ) fotball in uses their hands , opposite.

[@charliecorneloues7668]

He has a point 🇬🇧

[@brianirvine1339]

In N Ireland we call it the foot path .

[@margaretnicol3423]

Don't forget spectacles!

[@paspax]

In Australia the 'sidewalk' is called the 'footpath'. Much clearer. Pavement is a paved surface, like, with pavers. (they're like bricks used for ground surfaces).

[@daftirishmarej1827]

That's really interesting! In the UK 'footpath' is generally used for a designated place to walk in the countryside. Thank you!!!

[@yorkshirelassdiaries4841]

More Michael McIntyre

[@djiredjire5016]

I know racketball as a different game to squash. Played both. U.K.

[@michaelkerley1013]

In Ireland we call the pavement the footpath

[@davidbull6440]

You've both confirmed what he's getting act 😂

[@glynthomas6025]

Try Michael McIntryre and his "Send to All" conversations. It's with a lot of Briish people who you will never have heard of, but that doesn't matter. They are still very funny. Also the one where he steals a woman's meals from her freezer and serves it back to her as a 5-star gourmet meal. Basically, he is a very funny, non-offensive, not cruel comedian.

[@mattjames112]

I'm no expert, but racquetball and squash are definitely different games.

[@PeterPan-ql8kz]

Most pavements are made with tarmac what Americans call asphalt Waste paper basket or trash can we in the uk just call bin (indoor bin) or wheelie bin (outdoor bin that gets emptied by the bin men) We call eye glasses just glasses or sunglasses, work glasses we call either safety glasses or safety goggles

[@adammullarkey4996]

"Hey, Doug, what's that third season called?" "Uh, I think it's Autun, Steve." "Nah, Doug, I think it's Autum." "Steve, I think we're both wrong, it's Autumn." "You're right, Doug. Man, That's such a dum name." "I know, Steve. Hey, we should change it." "Right, Doug. But, how?" "Well, Steve, you know how all the leaves fall off the trees?" When you guys go back to using "Autumn" instead of "Fall," then you can tell me American English isn't Simplified English. Oh, and one other thing. If you had such a problem with the silent "n" in "Autumn," you can stop telling me I misspelled "dumb."

[@claire-annpower9427]

In Ireland we called sidewalk footpaths

[@wrorchestra1]

If you like comedians on talk shows, Billy Connelly is the king! Like Robin Williams, the interviewer rarely has to ask a question, he just goes off - especially if it's on Michael Parkinson's old show.

[@zingyyellow554]

Jonathon Ross is married to Jane Goodman - check her out on IMDB

[@williamcrow9415]

You should react to Michael McIntyre and James Cordon play send to all.

[@traceythompson3162]

Please watch peter kay playing the shovel, if you haven't seen it

[@lebom8858]

South Africans just call glasses "spectacles"...lol

[@margaretnicol3423]

Any interview with Billy Connolly!

[@ruthgrimley7653]

The one about the dentist is the best 🤣🤣🤣

[@eduardmitra5501]

Squash and Racquetball are two different sports. Similar, but different nonetheless.

[@xjadit7826]

I me a you say comedians on chat shows are funnier cause their less scripted but if I’m not mistaken this came from one of his stand up shows 😂

[@adammullarkey4996]

3:25 Well, you see, that was your mistake, because the road isn't the pavement, it's the road. The pavement is the pavement.

[@FacelessJanus]

No in the UK they do not shorten things. Keep in mind the US is still a brand new country by comparison. Julius Cesar visited the UK, so it was inhabited at least at his time, meaning at least for nearly 2 millenia. The language got exported to the US, so you guys lengthened things, if we go technical on the subject. Lets be honest here.

[@simonpowell2559]

How about "neck tie" or "play toy" ??

[@mattkiwi]

America = Sidewalk, New Zealand = Footpath, both much better than Pavement :)

[@cricketfan4612]

The correct British Standard term is spectacles not glasses. So even the English modify the language for simplicity.

[@mortaltom]

One of the main reasons for the language difference is that in a colony, like America was, the language evolves slower than from the mother countries, so for the most part, American English is closer to old English than current British English. The main reason our terms tend to be shorter is because people got lazy saying things like "horse back riding" and just dropped the extra word, because everyone can still understand the meaning of the phrase without it. Language changes like this all the time and it is quite interesting to see the differences in our shared language.

[@ericforsyth]

Not really, that's a myth and a misunderstanding of research. If anything, the massive influx of immigrants from as varied places as you could possibly imagine to the US has evolved the language much more quickly. And I *highly* doubt "horseback riding" predates "horse riding"

[@jaziejay1]

We call da Road a road LOL

[@paulguise698]

Hiya Ethan, don't forget about the link I gave you, its Keith Weir Greggains Whitehaven accent, it's called a Cumbrian tale, are you any further on with the regional United Kingdom accents?

[@cz-27love44]

You should see the interview with one Direction and Michael McInteyre. Its hilarious.

[@Danvilla1874]

You should watch the graham Norton show. Prob the best talk show in the world.

[@michaelhawk-fitz7563]

"pass me those glasses"..do you want the spectacles or the cups?..probably should've said eyeglasses..although nobody does..

[@carlhartwell7978]

Pavement derives from Latin 'pavīmentum' (“paved surface or floor”), from pavire (“to beat, to ram, to tread down”). So originally it was neither the material, nor the surface, but more the method of creation. So I guess if anything we're both wrong! EVERY American I've seen react to this (possibly 5) have also been confused about the _waste paper basket_ reference. I feel he could have just used _Trash Can_ as an example though and it still would've worked. We only EVER say bin...though we do however say 'wheelie bin' for a bin with..err .. wheels we keep outside the property...

[@danosverige]

"The British can never be wrong!" - It was carved in stone on the third tablet, which Moses dropped and broke on the way back down!

[@steve55sogood16]

When did "Route" 66 become "Rowt" 66, and "Palm become "Polm?

[@prometheuspr233]

horse back riding 😂😂😂😂

[@keith6400]

I am surprised they don't call it Horse-back riding facing the same way as the horse's head.

[@johnmcaleer7099]

Check out peter kay on the Jonathan Ross show.

[@Whinenrages]

It’s a pavement because it’s paved with paving stones .