Why Do Some People Use Other Words or Phrases?

[Warwick]

British Sign Language and American Sign Language certainly have differences.

As do the spoken language although we're rapidly descending.

 

[jon0844]

Google “Morse code translator”. The internet is incredible.

What I had to use, given my knowledge of morse code is limited to the letters SOS and, thanks to Nokia, SMS.

 

[Condor7]

So why start every sentence with so? See what I did there?

In your case starting the sentence with ‘so’ is correct although you could have started it with ‘why’ but I appreciate the pun.

What for some reason really annoys me, and this is a more recent thing, when asked a question the person replying says ‘so’ before giving the answer.

 

[whhistle]

I guess the increase of American TV is also to blame here, what with people using "like" excessively.
I also find people who end nearly every sentance with "you know what I mean" very strange.

Although I find myself missing out words, such as "the" or "to" quite a lot, but not sure if that's a bit more of a regional thing (although I don't replace it!) - such as "are we going shop?"

 

[Dai Corner]

I guess the increase of American TV is also to blame here, what with people using "like" excessively.
I also find people who end nearly every sentance with "you know what I mean" very strange.

Although I find myself missing out words, such as "the" or "to" quite a lot, but not sure if that's a bit more of a regional thing (although I don't replace it!) - such as "are we going shop?"

Wonder if missing words due to SMS/Twitter limits? Get msg over in min chars. Knw wot I mean?

 

[Cambus731]

a friend of mine is always going on about sexual conquests which is irritating enough, but it's when he uses the American word for knickers (ie panties) which I find most irritating, plus I think it gives away the fact that he looks at a lot of porn

 

[LWB]

Re American influences I notice that 'tidbit' is replacing titbit along with others

 

[Springs Branch]

British / American differences can work both ways.....

Some time ago I lived and worked in the USA. Every two weeks I chaired a meeting attended by a good number of my American colleagues.
With it being scheduled in a regular, 2-weekly time slot, I'd end up each meeting with something like ".... thanks everyone. Next meeting in a fortnight".

This went on for several month before someone sidled up to me and asked meekly "what's a fortnight?"

It turns out they don't use the term "fortnight" in America and no-one had any idea what I was talking about (it was a technology company so I was surprised no-one apparently thought to Google it!)

 

[Strat-tastic]

I hope you explained that fortnight is another word for meeting room

 

[deltic1989]

In the past I have worked with may people for whom English is a second or third (or so on) language.
What entertains me is trying to guess the nationality of the person who taught them English.
It's usually easy to spot if the teacher was American or English by way of the type of language they use or the accent with which they speak English.
One of the more amusing interactions I had was with a Polish fellow, outside Poland for the first time, who spoke English with a broad Scottish Accent.
It of course works both ways. At school my German teacher was from Munich, so I'm told that when I speak German it's with a hint of a Bavarian Accent.

 

[Harbornite]

a friend of mine is always going on about sexual conquests which is irritating enough, but it's when he uses the American word for knickers (ie panties) which I find most irritating, plus I think it gives away the fact that he looks at a lot of porn

It's like how pants are trousers for them.

 

[Lucan]

On an American website yesterday it was reported that "fans cheered as [Elon] Musk topped himself" :-
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/18/...ce-race-is-making-life-difficult-for-airlines

It made my day until I realised that they meant that he had "surpassed himself" in that there were two of his space program[me] events on the same day.

 

[Harbornite]

On an American website yesterday it was reported that "fans cheered as [Elon] Musk topped himself" :-
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/18/...ce-race-is-making-life-difficult-for-airlines

It made my day until I realised that they meant that he had "surpassed himself" in that there were two of his space program[me] events on the same day.

Nowadays, top has another meaning but I won't go into what on a public forum.

 

[Table 52]

Nowadays, top has another meaning but I won't go into what on a public forum.

Indeed. I can't watch old episodes of "Strike it Lucky" anymore without considering what Barrymore was really asking when he said "top, middle or bottom"