In January, it’ll be 12 years since I have lived in America. While fully embracing my host country, paying taxes, raising my kids here, and even willingly saying words like “diaper” and “trash,” there are still several words spoken here that are, with all due respect, ridiculous (IMHO.) They are:
Pantyhose
Pocketbook
Catty corner
Bangs
Caboose
Eggplant
Rutabaga
Freshman
Teeter totter
Y’all
Hope I’ve not offended anyone! Being the word nerd I am, I am actually quite (that’s the U.S. meaning of quite) interested in the origins of these words. Not sure I’ll find much Latin or Queen’s English, but I am sure I will learn some interesting American culture along the way (much like one of my heroes – the writer, traveler and humankind observer, Bill Bryson.)
Meantime, for other lovers of language out there, you might want to check out this list of Words to Retire in 2012.
And please let me know if there are any other silly American words I overlooked.
Jeff Loeb
/ December 24, 2011A couple of thoughts. First, I was surprised by “catty corner” – I have always used “kitty corner”. No matter, that probably will strike you as equally silly.
Second is y’all. This of course is the Texas state phrase. I lived in Texas for a couple of years and was never comfortable using it. I’ve come to appreciate its gender neutral value. Beats referring to a mixed group as “you guys”.
samanthamcgarry
/ December 25, 2011My first comment! Thanks Jeff! I found several spellings of catty corner/kitty corner and yes, they are equally silly. As for y’all, I concur it’s regional and nicely gender neutral – but still silly in my book! Happy holidays to you and your family!
Laura Paine Maas
/ January 2, 2012I would also like to discuss this post.
I have so many fun conversations with my friend Sophie in which we have strange language barriers. She’s from Scotland and lives in England.
notfromaroundhere
/ January 8, 2012The Economist’s language blog had a pretty interesting entry on y’all recently… http://www.economist.com/blogs/johnson/2011/09/southern-american-english
samanthamcgarry
/ January 8, 2012Thanks! I shall check it out.
sarah.tourville@mediafrenzy.uk.com
/ April 12, 2012What about fanny pack? I’ve never liked this one.
So when Americans say ‘quite like it’ do they really mean that they really like it? It may explain why my husband never sounds that excited about things when he actually is.
Thanks for sharing!
Sarah
samanthamcgarry
/ April 13, 2012I loathe the word fanny pack too
Allison Marie Parkyn
/ September 6, 2012Where in the USA do you live? I’m an American that lived in the UK for 6 years and just recently moved back to TX. LOVED learning the English slang. Worked with a bunch of guys that were always slagging each other off and so would ask them what their insults meant. Kinda took the sting out of the insult when asked to discuss its origins! Hope you’re getting along OK! Best x
samanthamcgarry
/ September 6, 2012Hi – thanks for commenting. I’m in Mass but originally from just outside London. Haven’t lived in the UK for over 15 years. English slang can be rather, um, colorful …. don’t you think? I enjoy being a Brit in the USA because everyone assumes I’m very smart thanks to the accent! (I have them all fooled!!) Have a great day.
Mary Daughtrey
/ November 3, 2012As a North Carolina girl (who once lived in Belfast), I’m a huge fan of “y’all,” a perfectly proper contraction for 2nd person plural and always adds a certain charm to a conversation. Thanks, notfromaroundhere for adding the great Economist article to the thread, and was so pleased they mentioned the caveat that you have to be talking to/about more than one person to use “y’all.” Love the color language adds to life! Thanks for a great post!
samanthamcgarry
/ November 3, 2012Thanks for commenting Mary!
Melanie
/ November 3, 2012Pantyhose and.Pocketbook are the most annoying words. I love this list! What word do the British use in place of rutabaga?
samanthamcgarry
/ November 3, 2012I don’t think we have them in England!
Louise
/ November 12, 2012turnips or swedes
samanthamcgarry
/ November 12, 2012ahhhhh! thanks!
Juliane Watros
/ March 6, 2013As an Anglophile who’d love to live in England I’m trying to translate the words you find silly into “Brit-speak” but I haven’t got them all. Here’s what I’ve got off the top of my head:
Pantyhose – tights (BTW, I LOVE that tights are “laddered” in England instead of “having a run”)
Pocketbook – handbag
Catty corner – ?
Bangs – fringe
Caboose – ?
Eggplant – corgette
Rutabaga – turnips or swedes
Freshman – year 10?
Teeter totter – ?
Y’all – I doubt there’s an equivalent for this one
P.S. I’m in Mass as well.
samanthamcgarry
/ March 6, 2013Hi Julie, here you go:
Pantyhose – tights YES
Pocketbook – handbag YES
Catty corner – diagonally across
Bangs – fringe
Caboose – “In the UK, the brake van performed a function similar to the caboose on North American railroads, being the accommodation for the train crew at the rear of the train, specifically the train guard, hence its alternative name.”
Eggplant – corgette WRONG, AUBERGINE (COURGETTE = ZUCCHINI)
Rutabaga – turnips or swedes
Freshman – FRESHER, FIRST YEAR OF UNIVERSITY
Teeter totter – SEESAW
Juliane
/ March 19, 2013Thanks for the translation! I was lying in bed after I typed my list and remembered that aubergine was eggplant (thanks to the show, “You Are What You Eat with Gillian McKeith).
samanthamcgarry
/ March 19, 2013Awesome!