Ask UK

1229 readers

18 users here now

Community for asking and answering any question related to the life, the people or anything related to the UK.

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

tom

Have you replaced any British words with their American versions? (self.askuk)

submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by Oneeightnine to c/askuk

112 comments fedilink hide all child comments

For example, switching out the word 'boot' for 'trunk', or ditching the word 'rubbish' for 'garbage'.

This is something I've noticed my 6 year old does pretty regularly. We went through a stage where 'sweets' became 'candy', 'holiday' became 'vacation' and 'courgette' became 'zucchini'.

That last one didn't happen but if you're still reading you've got my respect, or as the Americans might say '...mad props'.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] hellfire103@lemmy.ca 17 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I make an effort to speak British English, and not let any American into my vocabulary. Not really sure what the point is, but I'm sure I had a reason at some point.

However, I do like saying "hood" instead of "bonnet", mainly because it's easier to say "under the hood" than "under the bonnet" when talking tech.

[–] peto@lemm.ee 8 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Do you use hood for actual cars or is it strictly when you are talking about non-car things?

[–] hellfire103@lemmy.ca 8 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Just for non-car stuff. I *would * use hood for everything, but the people I would talk to about cars would get pissy for using the wrong car words.

[–] peto@lemm.ee 3 points 7 months ago

Fair enough, I was curious as I quite like these things where the figurative language gets orphaned from its literal meaning. Giving future etymologists something to enjoy.