English-isms and American-isms

[Adrowningkiss]

Hello. I'm a new member on here, and I've just submitted my first story. As an Englishman, I was wondering how readers viewed the differences between English phrases and American phrases. I'm assuming that the majority of people on this site are probably American? I used to live in the States about thirty years ago, so hello to anybody who was at Georgetown Uni in 85/86!

As an Englishman I will use the English spelling and English phrases in my work. But there are differences. Not the obvious spelling differences...colour vs. color, flavour vs. flavor. More the different uses and spellings of words in a sexual sense. For example, arse vs. ass. OK, you Americans win hands down on this one. I think ass is a really sexy word. The only time I think arse is more sexy than ass is when I am thinking about an upper class English woman, maybe just back from horse riding, and I use her riding crop on her arse...very sexy! Other than that, I think ass has it!

Same with mom vs. mum. I like to read mom and son stories. It doesn't sound the same with the English equivalent, mum...mum is like mummy, that is much too sweet and innocent for an erotic story...at least to my mind.

I think we English have it when it comes to tights vs. pantyhose. Ripping your tights, to me, sounds sexier than ripping your pantyhose.

What does anybody else think? It would be good to hear your views.

 

[lovetoread]

You do know we have tights on this side of the pond?

And I personally prefer the non american spelling when reading erotic/romance stories.

 

[lovecraft68]

I just say 'stockings"

I don't use tights in my stories. "Tights" are what little girls wear and I'm not into underage references....

 

[phrodeau]

Please use the word "fanny" in a sentence.

 

[bronzeage]

When an American says, "I have a bomb in pants," it means he wants to be first off the plane and is asking for a seat near the front. This has caused a lot if misunderstanding at UK airports.

 

[lovecraft68]

Please use the word "fanny" in a sentence.

My student lone was through Fanny mae

My dumb ass son in law wears a fanny pack....

MY great grandmother would say Fanny. She was 70 back when I was a young kid, in the mid seventies.

"Get your fanny back in here!"

 

[Adrowningkiss]

The word fanny always amuses me. In the UK it means a woman's genitalia. In the US it means, I "think", backside. So here I am, in England, watching a family oriented American show on TV at 7 in the evening and someone says "I'm gonna slap you on the fanny". Embarrassed looks all round.

 

[oggbashan]

I write in British English, using British spelling.

I try to avoid words that have a different meaning between British and American. For example I would never use 'fanny' in any of my stories.

If I have to use words that are understood differently, I try to make it clear from the context which meaning I intend.

Although the largest minority of visitors to Literotica are US based, they are not a majority. Lit is visited by English speakers from all over the world, including significant numbers from India. Most of those who are not US based will understand US usage and spelling, but British usage, if not overdone, is acceptable too.

 

[Liar]

When an American says, "I have a bomb in pants," it means he wants to be first off the plane and is asking for a seat near the front. This has caused a lot if misunderstanding at UK airports.

When an American says, "I have a bomb in pants," it means his education system has failed to teach him about possesive pronouns. Or he has dressed a bomb.

 

[Balladeer08]

Please use the word "fanny" in a sentence.

"It was just a passing fanny."

 

[IrezumiKiss]

http://2vngkj3vgq1035md8x4bmwva1c0w.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/fanny-and-alexander-poster-1.jpg

"Now where's my little Fanny?" asked the mum.

 

[Jackoffking]

We hate Limeys on this site man. Fuck off.

 

[Saint Peter]

Bunch of fucking weirdos.

 

[Mello_SixtyNine]

Fags has a very different connotation in Great Britain compared to the U.S.

 

[Jackoffking]

Fuck off Limey fuck man. Final warning man.

 

[geronimo_appleby]

here's a forum you might be interested in:

click

 

[JustaSCOUNDREL]

As a one of your cousins who is separated from you by a common language I have no problem with your word usage or spelling. I have spent several years living in countries where the languages were totally different from English.

When I read a Brits stories I seem to do pretty well understand, the words I do not understand I usually Google the word throw a hyphen in and type British slang and mostly get what I think is a pretty good translation .

An extra, to me, U seems pretty minor. I must admit I much prefer the British armour to our spelling, your seems to make it thicker, better, and giving more protection.

 

[phrodeau]

As a one of your cousins who is separated from you by a common language I have no problem with your word usage or spelling. I have spent several years living in countries where the languages were totally different from English.

When I read a Brits stories I seem to do pretty well understand, the words I do not understand I usually Google the word throw a hyphen in and type British slang and mostly get what I think is a pretty good translation .

An extra, to me, U seems pretty minor. I must admit I much prefer the British armour to our spelling, your seems to make it thicker, better, and giving more protection.

But they're at risk for trademark infringement.

http://armourmeats.com/images/structure/logo_flag.png

 

[CandiCame]

Please use the word "fanny" in a sentence.

Yeah, that throws me off bad.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

I have a Kansas City, Kansas-ism for you...



Because the only way to get to KC, MO (the Kansas City with all the sports teams, people, and the Plaza) was to cross over the Lewis and Clark viaduct so we always said "we're going over town" when we went to 'the big city.'

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Bunch of fucking weirdos.

You fit right in...

 

[edwalu2]

Wanker is an interesting one. Here in the UK, it's not really used lightly. It's not the worst insult you can be called by a long chalk, but it's generally not with friendly connotations.

In the US it doesn't seem to mean much. I'm sure in Married With Children for example Wanker was Peg's maiden name, is that right?

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Yes.

She came from Wanker County.

A running family wreath joke.

 

[edwalu2]

Can you explain the joke?

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

Everyone in Wanker County is married to a relative...