english english/american english

[mishkin]

I posted a story the other day and among the e-mail responses was one saying I could not spell and another that English could not be my native language. Both must have been from Americans not knowing that English English differs from American (eg English arse is American ass, English doesn't use butt for the same feature, and one of the e-mails thought spunk was a mis-spelling of spank - is this word for sperm or come not commonly used in the States?)

Any info/experiences/reactions. Not fussed over it, just find it interesting.



The language problem but you have to try.
line of poem by William Empson

 

[Mischka]

I've noticed the differences in the versions as well. For instance, "Mishkin" must be the British version of "Mischka."

 

[alexandraaah]

I posted a story the other day and among the e-mail responses was one saying I could not spell and another that English could not be my native language. Both must have been from Americans not knowing that English English differs from American (eg English arse is American ass, English doesn't use butt for the same feature, and one of the e-mails thought spunk was a mis-spelling of spank - is this word for sperm or come not commonly used in the States?)

Any info/experiences/reactions. Not fussed over it, just find it interesting.

That is interesting; it doesn't sound like you were dealing with a very experienced reader. It has never escaped me what "arse" is and I cannot imagine misunderstanding "spunk" for "spank." To answer that question, yes, spunk is commonly used in the states for sperm.

By the way.....welcome.

 

[modest mouse]

Usually the subtle differences are enjoyable but I must say that 'arse' is a mood killer to my American ears. Sounds like a kid trying not to cuss in front of his parents or a snide bar comment. My opinion.

 

[photographer]

English

I have similar experiences.

I write English English.

The spelling issue is easy to come to terms with - just change dictionaries in the wrod-processor, but the differences in meanings, especially with slang words can lead to a huge amount of misunderstanding.

I once had a web site to display my wildlife and nature photographs on.

Here, the word "bush" means wilderness, untamed land, natural vegetation.

In USA, the word is often used in reference to pubic hair.

I couldn't understand why I was getting such a large number of visitors to the site, most of whom visited the first page and left!

Then someone pointed out the slang usage of the word and the "Bush Pics" site was rapidly renamed!

 

[Cherry]

A couple more ...

"fag"
US version is an insulting reference to homosexuals
UK version is a cigarette


"fanny"
US version is for a bum
UK version is for a pussy



... or so I've been told

 

[MunchinMark]

damn! double post. I'm such an ass

 

[MunchinMark]

Shhh Cherry, don't tell them that one. I derive great amusement form hearing American tourists announcing to the world that their fannies are sore from the ride. It's almost worth going to the capital for that alone.

 

[Gamelover221]

The one that always bothers me is the whole color-colour thing. It's not like it's another word that means the same thing, which can be cool, but it's just the same word with an extra letter...

I don't mind theater=theatre too much, but that is another common one.

 

[TigerClaw]

A couple more ...

"fag"
US version is an insulting reference to homosexuals
UK version is a cigarette


"fanny"
US version is for a bum
UK version is for a pussy



... or so I've been told

fanny = pussy in UK.

I thought fanny was butt in the UK. Now this could get interesting. Was I referring to a cigarette or the ass. Oh no not the ass but an arse. No no no a fanny. Oops not the pussy. Not your house cat dummy......

Sure their is some slang I dont know but if I see a word being used out of place the first thing that comes to mind is whether it is the english or american version of the word. Heh, what about gray and grey.

I have never seen the english english been discounted or corrected except in spelling exams. As far as my experience it has always been identified as a condition of english that the 2 countries have to be careful of.

Finally, are you sure fanny was not english for Butt? No, I mean arse, uh, um ass..... ok I mean backside.


Dont tell me backside means something completely different in English English...... shesh.

Please note even with all the switching back and forth by the sentence structure the meaning of the words came out in the sentence. Being that I am not an expert in american or english grammar I feel this is a great example.

 

[modest mouse]

The one that always bothers me is the whole color-colour thing. It's not like it's another word that means the same thing, which can be cool, but it's just the same word with an extra letter...

Actually ours is minus one letter. I'm not sure about this word but many were altered when Webster published his dictionary. He intentionally established differences between the two English's.

 

[Scabbers]

G. B. Shaw said

that the British and Americans were two peoples separated by a common language.

Every English speaking country (save the USA) spells with the "u", as in colour, neighbourhood, harbour, etc.--(even the neighbours to the North, Canada).

Generally, British English is simpler (imho) "lift" instead of "elevator", "torch" instead of "flashlight"--but who's counting key-strokes?

And then there are automobiles . . .
bonnet, boot, hood and wing
for hood, trunk, top and fender.

Go figure.

 

[Ezzy]

A fanny by anyother name...

could smell of fish!

fanny = pussy in UK...

Finally, are you sure fanny was not english for Butt? No, I mean arse, uh, um ass..... ok I mean backside.


Dont tell me backside means something completely different in English English...... shesh.

Fanny definitely means pussy in the UK (and I don't mean pussy as in Cat, I mean pussy as in Beaver).

Backside actually refers to the bunns as well as the bunghole.

While I was typing this it amused me to think that given the propensity of Americans to shorten words by removing the letter u from as many as they can, I am surprised that they never did anything with "could, should and would"! After all what is wrong with cold, shold and wold?

On that thoght I will leave yo to wonder why they keep taking the letter " " ot of their vocablary...









It is because in the American rat race there is no time to think of "you" there is only time to think of "me!"



EZ

 

[Rothgar]

Re: G. B. Shaw said

that the British and Americans were two peoples separated by a common language.

Thanks for the Shaw quote. As I was reading this thread, it came to mind and was planning to post it myself. But you beat me to it.
During a trip to the UK a few years ago, I noticed a sign in Heathrow airport stating that they "apologise" for the mess caused by their remodeling. Must say, it made me look twice. In the US it's spelled "apologize." In fact the letter "z" itself is pronounced "zee" in America, and "zed" in the UK.
The differences in spellings and definitions and pronunciations don't bother me a bit. It's all part of the learning process in this global world of the internet. I'm a terrible speller anyway. That's why I keep a dictionary next to my computer.

 

[mishkin]

Thanks all - enjoying this and being enlightened.

Had no idea fanny meant butt in American. In English it was an old fashioned word for pussy but is now coming back into use.

Incidentally, a different point, but in England anyway vagina is increasing used for the entire pussy, bless it, though of course it actually means only the central tube. I suppose people needed a word that wasn't as in-your-face as cunt or as formal as pudenda or genital. This probably why fanny making a come-back, too.

Bush is used for pubic hair in english but it's a subordinate, metaphorical use - a web-site or whatever with the word in would be assumed to be about mere shrubs.

And in American?

Mischka - lovely idea that I am an English version of you. Both Russian presumably.

 

[Calamity Jane]

Incidentally, a different point, but in England anyway vagina is increasing used for the entire pussy, bless it, though of course it actually means only the central tube. I suppose people needed a word that wasn't as in-your-face as cunt or as formal as pudenda or genital. This probably why fanny making a come-back, too.

[rant]

This usage makes me crazy. I hate it when I'm reading a story, and I read the word vagina... as in... "I stared at her hot, wet vagina". No, unless she's in stirrups, you didn't. It's too clinical, and it doesn't and shouldn't apply to the entire area...

There are plenty of words besides cunt that could be used. Vagina doesn't need to be one of them.

[/rant]

 

[privy2u]

pagancowgirl I've got to agree with you on that point! I write in conversational style because of that very thing. I have yet to drink a cold berr with the guys and hear labia or vagina used. The same goes for the other overley descriptive words.

It is true that the English and American's are

separated by a common language

but it doesn't stop there! In the U.S. almost every state has it's variations. The farter you travel from your home ( reguardless of which country ) the greater variations will be found.

But, I love it because it is another form of our own individuality. Just ask an Aussie how they feel abou tit! LOL


privy

 

[Rothgar]

Bush is used for pubic hair in english but it's a subordinate, metaphorical use -

And in American?

We use Bush for our President.

 

[privy2u]

pssst! Read the previous post and count the mistakes! LOL


privy

 

[bluespoke]

Bill Bryson has written a book on the englishes (!), its title escapes me at the moment.

In it he discovers that most 'Americanisms' are simply English words which have fallen out of use.

Words like fawcett (tap) and sidewalk (pavement) to name but two are actually old English words that we no longer use.

 

[Rothgar]

Searching for the right word?

Check this on-line Sex Dictionary, the Language of Love, Lust & Sex.

http://starmax.macsol.ca:2345/dict/sex-lexicon.html

 

[android1966]

I've noticed on Buffy and Angel only the 'British' characters swear and then only using very British epiphets such as, sod it, bugger etc. Do these have no meaning in the US so they can slip by censors?

 

[VanB]

It's an interesting thread

The differences between American English and British English are so small that they don't preclude us understanding each other.

The interesting thing for me is that Brits tend to be more able to understand "Americanisms" rather than the other way round. I wonder if that is to do with the amount of American television on display here.

I do sometimes get a lttle peeved peeved when I'm told be an American that color is the correct English spelling of colour. Doh - it's the correct American spelling! LOL

Watch out for the Lit police with your quaint English spellings

 

[Jimi]

Re: English

I have similar experiences.

I write English English.

The spelling issue is easy to come to terms with - just change dictionaries in the wrod-processor, but the differences in meanings, especially with slang words can lead to a huge amount of misunderstanding.

I once had a web site to display my wildlife and nature photographs on.

Here, the word "bush" means wilderness, untamed land, natural vegetation.

In USA, the word is often used in reference to pubic hair.

I couldn't understand why I was getting such a large number of visitors to the site, most of whom visited the first page and left!

Then someone pointed out the slang usage of the word and the "Bush Pics" site was rapidly renamed!

British & Commonwealth English, If you please! That's like callin' an Afrikaaner a Boer... Sheesh! i am not a fucking Limey...

I attempt to spell everything with a "u", but the buggers next door are culturally imperialistic in SPADES!

Bush in Canada means both - go figure!


Tot siens, Meneer!

 

[Mischka]

I've noticed on Buffy and Angel only the 'British' characters swear and then only using very British epiphets such as, sod it, bugger etc. Do these have no meaning in the US so they can slip by censors?

I wouldn't say they have no meaning, but they certainly don't carry the same weight over here as they do over there. To my American ears, the phrases are more amusing than coarse, even though I know they're not meant that way.

Speaking of British slang and curse words, how bad is "bloody"? Is it used at all for its original descriptive purpose, or has it fallen into its more pejorative use?