Language, by its very nature, changes over time. It’s a dynamic and fluid thing, and that’s what makes it so fascinating.

Some of those changes are for the better. Many are relatively harmless. Some are a little frustrating, but you get used to them. And a few are, well, just plain wrong.

Video Credit: World Friends​

On a popular UK forum called “Gransnet”, people lamented the impact of ‘Americanisation’ on the English language - that is, the influence of popular American media on English vocabularies... Here are a few of the most ‘annoying’ examples, according to members of the site.

1. 'Cell phone'
People found the term ‘cell phone’ annoying, having grown accustomed to ‘mobile’. How is it a cell and a phone at the same time? How did they even come up with the term?

2. 'Holiday'
As in ‘happy holidays’ instead of merry Christmas. Supposedly it’s popular among ‘woke’ types who don’t wish to offend anyone by mentioning a Christian Festival. Oh, and while we’re on the subject, calling holidays ‘vacations’!

3. 'Paycheck'
In America, a ‘paycheck’ is a cheque (in fact, these days it’s almost certainly just a direct deposit) that is given to an employee as payment for their work. In Australia and the UK, the word ‘salary’ or ‘wages’ is generally used.

4. 'My bad'
The modern equivalent of ‘mea culpa’, and possibly an excuse to avoid having to actually say sorry. This one just seems like an attention-seeking way of trying to be cool and different.

5. 'Closet'
This one was just confusing for some people as the term ‘closet’ is used to refer to a small room used for storage, whereas in America, a closet is just a cupboard. Although it might be a little funny to hear about someone finally ‘coming out of the cupboard’, the point still stands.

6. ‘Bathroom’
The mere term implies that a bathroom should be a room with a bath in it but the term is typically a euphemism for a toilet, as in ‘can I use your bathroom?’. Everyone was fine with calling them lavatories and toilets before, why do we need a change now? “Americans can be really crude but have this prissy use of euphemisms - it's almost Victorian’, said one user. Well, it’s still better than ‘restroom’!

7. ‘Pop’
In America, ‘pop’ or ‘soda’ is used to refer to carbonated drinks. This is different from the British and Aussie usages of the word, which is a shortening of the word ‘popular’ and typically refers to a genre of music. And here in Australia, we’ve always only ever known them as ‘soft drinks’!

8. 'Scent'
In America, ‘scent’ is used to refer to a perfume or cologne. In Britain & Australia, the word ‘scent’ is generally used to refer to a smell, regardless of whether it is pleasant or not. Chanel Number 5? That’s a scent. The smell of your backyard after your dog did his business? Yes, that is also a scent.

9. 'Reach out’
This phrase is used in America to mean ‘to contact someone.

10. 'My truth'
This phrase is used in America to mean ‘my opinion’. It is often used in discussion forums or comment sections. This one is a pet peeve of ours because it turns ‘truth’ into something subjective.

11. 'Lemme'
This is just a shortened version of the word ‘let me’, but it butchers the English language without actually saving you any syllables!

12. 'Ketchup’
Whoever heard of having ketchup on their meat pie or sausage roll? We’re not sure exactly why the term ‘ketchup’ took off in the US, but we’ll stick to tomato sauce, thanks!

Whoever termed 'Ketchup' needs to be fined... We're kidding! Image Credit: Shuttershock​

13. 'Butt’
Granted, someone can be the ‘butt of a joke’, but aside from that, butts will always refer to the orange bit at the end of cigarettes as far as we’re concerned. Hearing the word ‘butt’ come out of a young person’s mouth can be, dare we say, a real pain in the bum.

14. ‘Cookie’
We think this one’s particularly egregious, particularly as the word ‘biscuit’ is so close to our hearts. Whoever heard of ‘tea & cookies’ or ‘ANZAC cookies’?

It's biscuits, NOT cookies. Image Credit: Shuttershock​

So there you have it, the most annoying ‘Americanisations’ of the English language, according to the people of Gransnet. Even though Gransnet is a UK based site, we’ve definitely noticed similar changes creeping into the Australian vocabulary, particularly amongst younger Aussies.

Do you agree with the list? Are there any other ‘Americanisations’ of the English language that you find annoying? Let us know in the comments!

 

[Possum Lover]

Well strike a light, blimey I never thought us Aussies could be so influenced by them Yanks!

 

[oliver]

What totally annoys me about Americanisation of Australia is the way our politics has tried to emmulate American style. Been apparent since the 1990's and was so evident in the latest game play of ridicule, denial, avoidance... thankfully Australians exercised their democratic choice and right

 

[My handle]

14 of the most annoying ‘Americanisations’ of the English language​

Language, by its very nature, changes over time. It’s a dynamic and fluid thing, and that’s what makes it so fascinating.

Some of those changes are for the better. Many are relatively harmless. Some are a little frustrating, but you get used to them. And a few are, well, just plain wrong.

Video Credit: World Friends​

On a popular UK forum called “Gransnet”, people lamented the impact of ‘Americanisation’ on the English language - that is, the influence of popular American media on English vocabularies... Here are a few of the most ‘annoying’ examples, according to members of the site.

1. 'Cell phone'
People found the term ‘cell phone’ annoying, having grown accustomed to ‘mobile’. How is it a cell and a phone at the same time? How did they even come up with the term?

2. 'Holiday'
As in ‘happy holidays’ instead of merry Christmas. Supposedly it’s popular among ‘woke’ types who don’t wish to offend anyone by mentioning a Christian Festival. Oh, and while we’re on the subject, calling holidays ‘vacations’!

3. 'Paycheck'
In America, a ‘paycheck’ is a cheque (in fact, these days it’s almost certainly just a direct deposit) that is given to an employee as payment for their work. In Australia and the UK, the word ‘salary’ or ‘wages’ is generally used.

4. 'My bad'
The modern equivalent of ‘mea culpa’, and possibly an excuse to avoid having to actually say sorry. This one just seems like an attention-seeking way of trying to be cool and different.

​

5. 'Closet'
This one was just confusing for some people as the term ‘closet’ is used to refer to a small room used for storage, whereas in America, a closet is just a cupboard. Although it might be a little funny to hear about someone finally ‘coming out of the cupboard’, the point still stands.

6. ‘Bathroom’
The mere term implies that a bathroom should be a room with a bath in it but the term is typically a euphemism for a toilet, as in ‘can I use your bathroom?’. Everyone was fine with calling them lavatories and toilets before, why do we need a change now? “Americans can be really crude but have this prissy use of euphemisms - it's almost Victorian’, said one user. Well, it’s still better than ‘restroom’!

7. ‘Pop’
In America, ‘pop’ or ‘soda’ is used to refer to carbonated drinks. This is different from the British and Aussie usages of the word, which is a shortening of the word ‘popular’ and typically refers to a genre of music. And here in Australia, we’ve always only ever known them as ‘soft drinks’!

8. 'Scent'
In America, ‘scent’ is used to refer to a perfume or cologne. In Britain & Australia, the word ‘scent’ is generally used to refer to a smell, regardless of whether it is pleasant or not. Chanel Number 5? That’s a scent. The smell of your backyard after your dog did his business? Yes, that is also a scent.

​

9. 'Reach out’
This phrase is used in America to mean ‘to contact someone.

10. 'My truth'
This phrase is used in America to mean ‘my opinion’. It is often used in discussion forums or comment sections. This one is a pet peeve of ours because it turns ‘truth’ into something subjective.

11. 'Lemme'
This is just a shortened version of the word ‘let me’, but it butchers the English language without actually saving you any syllables!

12. 'Ketchup’
Whoever heard of having ketchup on their meat pie or sausage roll? We’re not sure exactly why the term ‘ketchup’ took off in the US, but we’ll stick to tomato sauce, thanks!

Whoever termed 'Ketchup' needs to be fined... We're kidding! Image Credit: Shuttershock

​

13. 'Butt’
Granted, someone can be the ‘butt of a joke’, but aside from that, butts will always refer to the orange bit at the end of cigarettes as far as we’re concerned. Hearing the word ‘butt’ come out of a young person’s mouth can be, dare we say, a real pain in the bum.

14. ‘Cookie’
We think this one’s particularly egregious, particularly as the word ‘biscuit’ is so close to our hearts. Whoever heard of ‘tea & cookies’ or ‘ANZAC cookies’?

It's biscuits, NOT cookies. Image Credit: Shuttershock​

So there you have it, the most annoying ‘Americanisations’ of the English language, according to the people of Gransnet. Even though Gransnet is a UK based site, we’ve definitely noticed similar changes creeping into the Australian vocabulary, particularly amongst younger Aussies.

Do you agree with the list? Are there any other ‘Americanisations’ of the English language that you find annoying? Let us know in the comments!

I would like to add is Process instead of Think.

 

[glenglen]

normalcy instead of normality is one of my pet hates

 

[Roh]

I find that Americans cannot help themselves when it comes to spelling perfectly well spelt words such as colour. They have also created some weird words such as acclimate instead of using the word acclimatise! And I really get angry when computer programs use American dictionaries and will insist on changing what you have typed for the American spelling. Had my winge now ...... off to have a cuppa.

 

[S G Clarke]

14 of the most annoying ‘Americanisations’ of the English language​

Language, by its very nature, changes over time. It’s a dynamic and fluid thing, and that’s what makes it so fascinating.

Some of those changes are for the better. Many are relatively harmless. Some are a little frustrating, but you get used to them. And a few are, well, just plain wrong.

Video Credit: World Friends​

On a popular UK forum called “Gransnet”, people lamented the impact of ‘Americanisation’ on the English language - that is, the influence of popular American media on English vocabularies... Here are a few of the most ‘annoying’ examples, according to members of the site.

1. 'Cell phone'
People found the term ‘cell phone’ annoying, having grown accustomed to ‘mobile’. How is it a cell and a phone at the same time? How did they even come up with the term?

2. 'Holiday'
As in ‘happy holidays’ instead of merry Christmas. Supposedly it’s popular among ‘woke’ types who don’t wish to offend anyone by mentioning a Christian Festival. Oh, and while we’re on the subject, calling holidays ‘vacations’!

3. 'Paycheck'
In America, a ‘paycheck’ is a cheque (in fact, these days it’s almost certainly just a direct deposit) that is given to an employee as payment for their work. In Australia and the UK, the word ‘salary’ or ‘wages’ is generally used.

4. 'My bad'
The modern equivalent of ‘mea culpa’, and possibly an excuse to avoid having to actually say sorry. This one just seems like an attention-seeking way of trying to be cool and different.

​

5. 'Closet'
This one was just confusing for some people as the term ‘closet’ is used to refer to a small room used for storage, whereas in America, a closet is just a cupboard. Although it might be a little funny to hear about someone finally ‘coming out of the cupboard’, the point still stands.

6. ‘Bathroom’
The mere term implies that a bathroom should be a room with a bath in it but the term is typically a euphemism for a toilet, as in ‘can I use your bathroom?’. Everyone was fine with calling them lavatories and toilets before, why do we need a change now? “Americans can be really crude but have this prissy use of euphemisms - it's almost Victorian’, said one user. Well, it’s still better than ‘restroom’!

7. ‘Pop’
In America, ‘pop’ or ‘soda’ is used to refer to carbonated drinks. This is different from the British and Aussie usages of the word, which is a shortening of the word ‘popular’ and typically refers to a genre of music. And here in Australia, we’ve always only ever known them as ‘soft drinks’!

8. 'Scent'
In America, ‘scent’ is used to refer to a perfume or cologne. In Britain & Australia, the word ‘scent’ is generally used to refer to a smell, regardless of whether it is pleasant or not. Chanel Number 5? That’s a scent. The smell of your backyard after your dog did his business? Yes, that is also a scent.

​

9. 'Reach out’
This phrase is used in America to mean ‘to contact someone.

10. 'My truth'
This phrase is used in America to mean ‘my opinion’. It is often used in discussion forums or comment sections. This one is a pet peeve of ours because it turns ‘truth’ into something subjective.

11. 'Lemme'
This is just a shortened version of the word ‘let me’, but it butchers the English language without actually saving you any syllables!

12. 'Ketchup’
Whoever heard of having ketchup on their meat pie or sausage roll? We’re not sure exactly why the term ‘ketchup’ took off in the US, but we’ll stick to tomato sauce, thanks!

Whoever termed 'Ketchup' needs to be fined... We're kidding! Image Credit: Shuttershock

​

13. 'Butt’
Granted, someone can be the ‘butt of a joke’, but aside from that, butts will always refer to the orange bit at the end of cigarettes as far as we’re concerned. Hearing the word ‘butt’ come out of a young person’s mouth can be, dare we say, a real pain in the bum.

14. ‘Cookie’
We think this one’s particularly egregious, particularly as the word ‘biscuit’ is so close to our hearts. Whoever heard of ‘tea & cookies’ or ‘ANZAC cookies’?

It's biscuits, NOT cookies. Image Credit: Shuttershock​

So there you have it, the most annoying ‘Americanisations’ of the English language, according to the people of Gransnet. Even though Gransnet is a UK based site, we’ve definitely noticed similar changes creeping into the Australian vocabulary, particularly amongst younger Aussies.

Do you agree with the list? Are there any other ‘Americanisations’ of the English language that you find annoying? Let us know in the comments!

Mom

 

[Nannyviv]

Ketchup comes from the Hokkien Chinese word, kê-tsiap, the name of a sauce derived from fermented fish. It is believed that traders brought fish sauce from Vietnam to southeastern China. The British likely encountered ketchup in Southeast Asia, returned home, and tried to replicate the fermented dark sauce.

 

[Nannyviv]

Closet in the 1870s meant Water Closet, the term used for lavatory or toilet long before the Americans started using it.

 

[Nannyviv]

One that annoys me is the use of wild fire for bush fire which our newsreaders have tried pushing on us

 

[Rossmcd]

14 of the most annoying ‘Americanisations’ of the English language​

Language, by its very nature, changes over time. It’s a dynamic and fluid thing, and that’s what makes it so fascinating.

Some of those changes are for the better. Many are relatively harmless. Some are a little frustrating, but you get used to them. And a few are, well, just plain wrong.

Video Credit: World Friends​

On a popular UK forum called “Gransnet”, people lamented the impact of ‘Americanisation’ on the English language - that is, the influence of popular American media on English vocabularies... Here are a few of the most ‘annoying’ examples, according to members of the site.

1. 'Cell phone'
People found the term ‘cell phone’ annoying, having grown accustomed to ‘mobile’. How is it a cell and a phone at the same time? How did they even come up with the term?

2. 'Holiday'
As in ‘happy holidays’ instead of merry Christmas. Supposedly it’s popular among ‘woke’ types who don’t wish to offend anyone by mentioning a Christian Festival. Oh, and while we’re on the subject, calling holidays ‘vacations’!

3. 'Paycheck'
In America, a ‘paycheck’ is a cheque (in fact, these days it’s almost certainly just a direct deposit) that is given to an employee as payment for their work. In Australia and the UK, the word ‘salary’ or ‘wages’ is generally used.

4. 'My bad'
The modern equivalent of ‘mea culpa’, and possibly an excuse to avoid having to actually say sorry. This one just seems like an attention-seeking way of trying to be cool and different.

​

5. 'Closet'
This one was just confusing for some people as the term ‘closet’ is used to refer to a small room used for storage, whereas in America, a closet is just a cupboard. Although it might be a little funny to hear about someone finally ‘coming out of the cupboard’, the point still stands.

6. ‘Bathroom’
The mere term implies that a bathroom should be a room with a bath in it but the term is typically a euphemism for a toilet, as in ‘can I use your bathroom?’. Everyone was fine with calling them lavatories and toilets before, why do we need a change now? “Americans can be really crude but have this prissy use of euphemisms - it's almost Victorian’, said one user. Well, it’s still better than ‘restroom’!

7. ‘Pop’
In America, ‘pop’ or ‘soda’ is used to refer to carbonated drinks. This is different from the British and Aussie usages of the word, which is a shortening of the word ‘popular’ and typically refers to a genre of music. And here in Australia, we’ve always only ever known them as ‘soft drinks’!

8. 'Scent'
In America, ‘scent’ is used to refer to a perfume or cologne. In Britain & Australia, the word ‘scent’ is generally used to refer to a smell, regardless of whether it is pleasant or not. Chanel Number 5? That’s a scent. The smell of your backyard after your dog did his business? Yes, that is also a scent.

​

9. 'Reach out’
This phrase is used in America to mean ‘to contact someone.

10. 'My truth'
This phrase is used in America to mean ‘my opinion’. It is often used in discussion forums or comment sections. This one is a pet peeve of ours because it turns ‘truth’ into something subjective.

11. 'Lemme'
This is just a shortened version of the word ‘let me’, but it butchers the English language without actually saving you any syllables!

12. 'Ketchup’
Whoever heard of having ketchup on their meat pie or sausage roll? We’re not sure exactly why the term ‘ketchup’ took off in the US, but we’ll stick to tomato sauce, thanks!

Whoever termed 'Ketchup' needs to be fined... We're kidding! Image Credit: Shuttershock

​

13. 'Butt’
Granted, someone can be the ‘butt of a joke’, but aside from that, butts will always refer to the orange bit at the end of cigarettes as far as we’re concerned. Hearing the word ‘butt’ come out of a young person’s mouth can be, dare we say, a real pain in the bum.

14. ‘Cookie’
We think this one’s particularly egregious, particularly as the word ‘biscuit’ is so close to our hearts. Whoever heard of ‘tea & cookies’ or ‘ANZAC cookies’?

It's biscuits, NOT cookies. Image Credit: Shuttershock​

So there you have it, the most annoying ‘Americanisations’ of the English language, according to the people of Gransnet. Even though Gransnet is a UK based site, we’ve definitely noticed similar changes creeping into the Australian vocabulary, particularly amongst younger Aussies.

Do you agree with the list? Are there any other ‘Americanisations’ of the English language that you find annoying? Let us know in the comments!

Add skedule to the list , we say shedule they say skedule

 

[Wendy]

Just a few minutes ago I was writing a reply to the previous item (jam testing) when I wrote favourite it kept wanting to change it to favorite. SO annoying my spell checker is American !!!

 

[DasherD]

Some I find hard is PORCH for VERANDAH, timber sizes are backwoods i.e. 2" x 4" instead of 4" x 2".

changing world also sees the loss of certain words, i.e. news reporters and others use the word amount across the board instead of number (eg amount of cars has increased clogging the motorway instead of the number of cars has increased clogging the motorway. Amount used to be used when for terms like the amount of money or amount of gas available.

 

[Pommyoz]

Add skedule to the list , we say shedule they say skedule

But we say Skool, instead of shool

 

[DavidC57]

American "Travellator" is our escalator

Their "side walk", our path

Their "cell phone", means their phone works in a phone cell (Phone tower) area.
ALL phones (except satellite) work in cells, moving from cell to cell as we move about mobile, hence our "mobile phone"!!

Finally, my bugbear "My bad"

My bad........ what??? Hair, Clothes, Smell, personality?????

It doesn't make sense!!! Finish the sentence, please!!

You're welcome!!

 

[Nannacas]

14 of the most annoying ‘Americanisations’ of the English language​

Language, by its very nature, changes over time. It’s a dynamic and fluid thing, and that’s what makes it so fascinating.

Some of those changes are for the better. Many are relatively harmless. Some are a little frustrating, but you get used to them. And a few are, well, just plain wrong.

Video Credit: World Friends​

On a popular UK forum called “Gransnet”, people lamented the impact of ‘Americanisation’ on the English language - that is, the influence of popular American media on English vocabularies... Here are a few of the most ‘annoying’ examples, according to members of the site.

1. 'Cell phone'
People found the term ‘cell phone’ annoying, having grown accustomed to ‘mobile’. How is it a cell and a phone at the same time? How did they even come up with the term?

2. 'Holiday'
As in ‘happy holidays’ instead of merry Christmas. Supposedly it’s popular among ‘woke’ types who don’t wish to offend anyone by mentioning a Christian Festival. Oh, and while we’re on the subject, calling holidays ‘vacations’!

3. 'Paycheck'
In America, a ‘paycheck’ is a cheque (in fact, these days it’s almost certainly just a direct deposit) that is given to an employee as payment for their work. In Australia and the UK, the word ‘salary’ or ‘wages’ is generally used.

4. 'My bad'
The modern equivalent of ‘mea culpa’, and possibly an excuse to avoid having to actually say sorry. This one just seems like an attention-seeking way of trying to be cool and different.

​

5. 'Closet'
This one was just confusing for some people as the term ‘closet’ is used to refer to a small room used for storage, whereas in America, a closet is just a cupboard. Although it might be a little funny to hear about someone finally ‘coming out of the cupboard’, the point still stands.

6. ‘Bathroom’
The mere term implies that a bathroom should be a room with a bath in it but the term is typically a euphemism for a toilet, as in ‘can I use your bathroom?’. Everyone was fine with calling them lavatories and toilets before, why do we need a change now? “Americans can be really crude but have this prissy use of euphemisms - it's almost Victorian’, said one user. Well, it’s still better than ‘restroom’!

7. ‘Pop’
In America, ‘pop’ or ‘soda’ is used to refer to carbonated drinks. This is different from the British and Aussie usages of the word, which is a shortening of the word ‘popular’ and typically refers to a genre of music. And here in Australia, we’ve always only ever known them as ‘soft drinks’!

8. 'Scent'
In America, ‘scent’ is used to refer to a perfume or cologne. In Britain & Australia, the word ‘scent’ is generally used to refer to a smell, regardless of whether it is pleasant or not. Chanel Number 5? That’s a scent. The smell of your backyard after your dog did his business? Yes, that is also a scent.

​

9. 'Reach out’
This phrase is used in America to mean ‘to contact someone.

10. 'My truth'
This phrase is used in America to mean ‘my opinion’. It is often used in discussion forums or comment sections. This one is a pet peeve of ours because it turns ‘truth’ into something subjective.

11. 'Lemme'
This is just a shortened version of the word ‘let me’, but it butchers the English language without actually saving you any syllables!

12. 'Ketchup’
Whoever heard of having ketchup on their meat pie or sausage roll? We’re not sure exactly why the term ‘ketchup’ took off in the US, but we’ll stick to tomato sauce, thanks!

Whoever termed 'Ketchup' needs to be fined... We're kidding! Image Credit: Shuttershock

​

13. 'Butt’
Granted, someone can be the ‘butt of a joke’, but aside from that, butts will always refer to the orange bit at the end of cigarettes as far as we’re concerned. Hearing the word ‘butt’ come out of a young person’s mouth can be, dare we say, a real pain in the bum.

14. ‘Cookie’
We think this one’s particularly egregious, particularly as the word ‘biscuit’ is so close to our hearts. Whoever heard of ‘tea & cookies’ or ‘ANZAC cookies’?

It's biscuits, NOT cookies. Image Credit: Shuttershock​

So there you have it, the most annoying ‘Americanisations’ of the English language, according to the people of Gransnet. Even though Gransnet is a UK based site, we’ve definitely noticed similar changes creeping into the Australian vocabulary, particularly amongst younger Aussies.

Do you agree with the list? Are there any other ‘Americanisations’ of the English language that you find annoying? Let us know in the comments!

I am totally with you on this, Even advertisements are using "modern" language now and I have to ask my grandchildren what they are talking about. Don't even get me started on grammar. Before I retired I was known as the "Spelling and Grammar Nazi"!

 

[Chris Lincoln]

14 of the most annoying ‘Americanisations’ of the English language​

Language, by its very nature, changes over time. It’s a dynamic and fluid thing, and that’s what makes it so fascinating.

Some of those changes are for the better. Many are relatively harmless. Some are a little frustrating, but you get used to them. And a few are, well, just plain wrong.

Video Credit: World Friends​

On a popular UK forum called “Gransnet”, people lamented the impact of ‘Americanisation’ on the English language - that is, the influence of popular American media on English vocabularies... Here are a few of the most ‘annoying’ examples, according to members of the site.

1. 'Cell phone'
People found the term ‘cell phone’ annoying, having grown accustomed to ‘mobile’. How is it a cell and a phone at the same time? How did they even come up with the term?

2. 'Holiday'
As in ‘happy holidays’ instead of merry Christmas. Supposedly it’s popular among ‘woke’ types who don’t wish to offend anyone by mentioning a Christian Festival. Oh, and while we’re on the subject, calling holidays ‘vacations’!

3. 'Paycheck'
In America, a ‘paycheck’ is a cheque (in fact, these days it’s almost certainly just a direct deposit) that is given to an employee as payment for their work. In Australia and the UK, the word ‘salary’ or ‘wages’ is generally used.

4. 'My bad'
The modern equivalent of ‘mea culpa’, and possibly an excuse to avoid having to actually say sorry. This one just seems like an attention-seeking way of trying to be cool and different.

​

5. 'Closet'
This one was just confusing for some people as the term ‘closet’ is used to refer to a small room used for storage, whereas in America, a closet is just a cupboard. Although it might be a little funny to hear about someone finally ‘coming out of the cupboard’, the point still stands.

6. ‘Bathroom’
The mere term implies that a bathroom should be a room with a bath in it but the term is typically a euphemism for a toilet, as in ‘can I use your bathroom?’. Everyone was fine with calling them lavatories and toilets before, why do we need a change now? “Americans can be really crude but have this prissy use of euphemisms - it's almost Victorian’, said one user. Well, it’s still better than ‘restroom’!

7. ‘Pop’
In America, ‘pop’ or ‘soda’ is used to refer to carbonated drinks. This is different from the British and Aussie usages of the word, which is a shortening of the word ‘popular’ and typically refers to a genre of music. And here in Australia, we’ve always only ever known them as ‘soft drinks’!

8. 'Scent'
In America, ‘scent’ is used to refer to a perfume or cologne. In Britain & Australia, the word ‘scent’ is generally used to refer to a smell, regardless of whether it is pleasant or not. Chanel Number 5? That’s a scent. The smell of your backyard after your dog did his business? Yes, that is also a scent.

​

9. 'Reach out’
This phrase is used in America to mean ‘to contact someone.

10. 'My truth'
This phrase is used in America to mean ‘my opinion’. It is often used in discussion forums or comment sections. This one is a pet peeve of ours because it turns ‘truth’ into something subjective.

11. 'Lemme'
This is just a shortened version of the word ‘let me’, but it butchers the English language without actually saving you any syllables!

12. 'Ketchup’
Whoever heard of having ketchup on their meat pie or sausage roll? We’re not sure exactly why the term ‘ketchup’ took off in the US, but we’ll stick to tomato sauce, thanks!

Whoever termed 'Ketchup' needs to be fined... We're kidding! Image Credit: Shuttershock

​

13. 'Butt’
Granted, someone can be the ‘butt of a joke’, but aside from that, butts will always refer to the orange bit at the end of cigarettes as far as we’re concerned. Hearing the word ‘butt’ come out of a young person’s mouth can be, dare we say, a real pain in the bum.

14. ‘Cookie’
We think this one’s particularly egregious, particularly as the word ‘biscuit’ is so close to our hearts. Whoever heard of ‘tea & cookies’ or ‘ANZAC cookies’?

It's biscuits, NOT cookies. Image Credit: Shuttershock​

So there you have it, the most annoying ‘Americanisations’ of the English language, according to the people of Gransnet. Even though Gransnet is a UK based site, we’ve definitely noticed similar changes creeping into the Australian vocabulary, particularly amongst younger Aussies.

Do you agree with the list? Are there any other ‘Americanisations’ of the English language that you find annoying? Let us know in the comments!

The one that really grates me is mainly young people calling me “buddy” instead of MATE , I walk out of the shop if they start with, can I help you buddy? Can’t stand it .

 

[Merv.]

Excuse the language but the Americans call a bum bag “ fanny pack “ hate the term.

 

[AndreaD]

..... and it was only a couple of years ago that I saw in Coles, early April, 'Anzac Cookies'. When I commented on this, the young assistant did not get my point!
But in a similar context, a child about 10, once wished me a 'Happy Anzac Day," while it's mother stood by, smiling indulgently. I understand it is history, but "happy anzac day " shocked me. Surely kids are taught what the day commemorates, not just a public holiday?

 

[khracing]

Sofa, couch, "right now". Even heard the presenter of what once was the ultimate Aussie Sunday morning radio programme describe the Sydney Easter show as the "Sydney fair". I thought I was hearing things, but no.