Americanisms that will never, ever cross over into the UK

"zelda zonk"

Hopefully, neoconservativism.

Does anyone outside the US use "freshman," "sophomore," etc?

(I don't know what "8080" means either. I mean, I gather it's somewhat equivalent to "OTM?")

ok the explanation of how they say 'book' in northern england basically made me realize that everything i know of their accents i learned from paul's grandad in 'a hard day's night'

well, and mark e smith

(I don't know what "8080" means either. I mean, I gather it's somewhat equivalent to "OTM?")

Yeah, it is. I just missed where it came from.

while we're on the subject, does anyone else think of lol as "lots of/o' laughs"? "laughing out loud" has never read nearly dorky enough for my taste.

Okay I admit I haven't read this whole thread (and don't really have time to right now) but have we got to the thing were Americans say "Now you're talkin'!" when they mean they really agree with what you saying, or they think you have a good idea? I don't think that will ever catch on in the UK will it?

I haven't read the whole thread but did anyone mention Americans saying "how's it going?" or "what's up?" and NOT actually expecting an answer?

Also british people will never say "bro". they may on occasion use dude (ken c?), but it ends there.

I don't think I've ever used "bro" outside ILX

hey Curt1s, what's up?

hey adm.

'sup bra?

i hang around ppl who say 'bro' all the time, completely w/o irony

also, what about "shitty" as "drunk"? Like, dude, me and my homeys were totally shitty last night, i can't believe that fucking guy stole a suitcase from Wal-Mart, what the fuck

BRITISHES: suitcase = 30 pack of beer, Wal-Mart = a chain of stores

cunt is gaining in popularity over here as SHOCKER insult of choice, btw (non-gender specific)

* I have said "good people" completely seriously
* I will use Britishisms occasionally, but that's because moms grew up there and she's basically talking all the time (WE CALL THIS A CHATTY CATHY) and loves using quaint ould Irish/Lanc turns of phrase
* I barely tolerated Aussies/Kiwis saying "bro" in Colorado (even worse than American bros saying it), and would probably punch a Brit in the face if he tried using it
* Britishes have no cultural context for the word "fratty," though I fear it may gain popularity simply because it describes a type of American that Britain already loves to hate (which is probably OK)
* RAD (discus)

BLOOD DIAMONDS IS THE NEW RESPEK KNUCKLES, 8080 IS THE NEW OTM

A lot of NZers say bro.

that doesn't mean i have to like it

Oh no I don't either, jus' sayin'.

what about the use of "rack" meaning a case of beer and "half a rack" as a 12-pack? actually i never heard that outside of new england where we had our own language to tell the outsiders from the natives. c.f., pronouncing "faneuil hall" or what the three apartment dwellings in dorchester are called.

also, does anyone over there say "y'all" in a non-ironic way?

Does anyone outside the US use "freshman," "sophomore," etc?

Nope. The words don't even make any sense as our education systems are completely different. 'Fratboy' doesn't have any equivalent. Or 'High School proms'. Or 'jock'. And for most people 'college' doesn't mean 'university'.

...did anyone mention Americans saying "how's it going?" or "what's up?" and NOT actually expecting an answer?

What does "what's up?" mean in America? I've always used it to mean "what's the matter?", but it seems to mean "what's going on?". I need to know exactly what Bugs Bunny intended by his catchphrase. Also, I haven't come across anyone in Britain saying 'hey!' to mean 'hi!'.

For example, "grew like Topsy" is never going to catch on here in the USA.

But it's a quote from an American book!

Also british people will never say "bro". they may on occasion use dude (ken c?), but it ends there.

-- admrl, Friday, June 29, 2007 4:39 AM (Friday, June 29, 2007 4:39 AM) Bookmark Link

I don't think I've ever used "bro" outside ILX

-- Curt1s Stephens, Friday, June 29, 2007 4:39 AM (Friday, June 29, 2007 4:39 AM) Bookmark Link

I said "bro" a minute before opening this thread. I think I use "dude" as well, though more in the written word than the spoken.

May we never start referring to our main courses as "entrees"... aargh.

yeah that is a weird one

Waiiit who does this!?

Does anyone outside the US use "freshman," "sophomore," etc?

-- Sundar, Friday, June 29, 2007 6:48 AM (8 hours ago) Bookmark Link

'fresher'.

i say dude all the time.

"now you're talkin" is great

i've never heard a british person say "TELL me about it"

NRQ you need to realize that british people cannot say "dude" any more than americans can say "mate"

it's just how i roll, holmes

oh shit "chopped liver". don't even know what it means.

not jewish enough.

You don't know shit from shinola.

I've been saying "its how I roll" a bit too much lately much to many peoples irritation.

Anyone cited "Mom" yet? I couldn't be arsed to read the 280-something skipped messages.

i hate the word "mom" yet i am american. it sounds plastic somehow.

Well, although we spell it "mum", most people seem to pronounce it "mom", I know I do.

British people will never go to "the john", will they?

Mum = mum for me.

What I am finding curious about this thread is the mishmash of UK and US phrases Aussies will use. You'd think we'd veer more twards the britishers but on reading this thread I'm not so sure.

'the john' gets you out of the toilet/lavatory issue. but no-one in britain says 'the bathroom' meaning lavatory.

"the men's room"

Ha I say bathroom all the time! Toilet - non-u. Loo - urgh, just don't like the word. Lavatory - too formal.

Water Closet.

'the can'

The pisser.

Dunny.