The most annoying expressions...

'Revision' or 'Revising for an exam'

I love the British English language and 99% of the words make it into my mouth and written words,  but "revision" does my head in! 

To me revise means to change something. Studying is studying.   

 

'Revision' or 'Revising for an exam'

I love the British English language and 99% of the words make it into my mouth and written words,  but "revision" does my head in! 

To me revise means to change something. Studying is studying.   

I'm used to that one now, but it sounded odd at first. However, if you break down the word 'revise,' it really means 'to look at again' so it does make sense.

Lol so glad this topic was created! I don't like "whilst" instead of "while." It sounds pretentious while in most cases it's not meant to sound that way. This is an obvious one but it also drives me crazy how the word hospital is used e.g. "he's gone to hospital." No, he's gone to THE hospital. You wouldn't say "he's gone to restaurant" or "he's gone to bank"!

Oh, and as the bf's English of course I have to give him a mention in here  He'll say nuffink and somethink for nothing and something, but I don't mind those much. Also one of his most common expressions when something goes wrong (which he says he picked up from his dad) is "not to worry." I swear if his house was burning down or the sky was falling, he'd still say "not to worry." That's how much he uses it 

I've caught myself saying "you alright" instead of "how are you" and other Brit slang words now and again, for the record.

Lol so glad this topic was created! I don't like "whilst" instead of "while." It sounds pretentious while in most cases it's not meant to sound that way. This is an obvious one but it also drives me crazy how the word hospital is used e.g. "he's gone to hospital." No, he's gone to THE hospital. You wouldn't say "he's gone to restaurant" or "he's gone to bank"!

But you do say "He's gone to school", "He's gone to college" and "He's gone to work"... it's the same principle (it's talking about the purpose of the building vs. the building itself).

If you are a patient, you "go to hospital" (you are admitted to hospital for treatment), but if you are visiting someone, you go the hospital (you are not a patient, you are visiting someone who has been hospitalised).

Your child "goes to school" (they are a pupil), but you go to the school to pick them up.

You "go to college" (you are a student), but your parents go to the college to visit you.

It's just an odd quirk of the English language that's used in the UK, but not in the US .

Ahahahahha YES! My bf and his family say that and I just give them a puzzled look I just don't get that... I could understand if it's a wedding cake or some extravagant dish but fish n chips is gorgeous?  lol

Hmm.. I looked it up in the OED, and they have;
2.  colloq. Used as an epithet of strong approbation. (Cf. splendid adj.)
1883    Fargo (Dakota) Argus 25 Sept.,   The northwestern editors, who recently went excursioning over the famous ‘Monon Route’‥had a gorgeous time.
So, this colloquial use seems to be American in origin.
The OED has this as the primary meaning of the word;
Adorned with rich or brilliant colours; sumptuously gay or splendid; showy, magnificent:

DH is an academic and I have to say that I've spent the better part of the past year and a half figuring out the "translations" of academic terminology. To think lecturer vs professor was just the tip of the iceberg---but add in "revision" "reading a course of study" "tutor" "time-table" "module" "mark" etc etc etc...Ack!!

In principal I initially refused to say whilst---I also thought it sounded too snotty...until I came to the realization that I felt even stranger NOT using it. It's strange how the language shift happens.

I'm still baffled at the rules of when articles or conjunctions are used/not used...Cannot get used to things like "to hospital" either. And more recent I've been amused by the lack of "AND"s in words like Macaroni Cheese and even McDonald's latest burger called "Big Tasty" which in the States has a nice old "and" in the middle as well. It's just odd.

DH is an academic and I have to say that I've spent the better part of the past year and a half figuring out the "translations" of academic terminology. To think lecturer vs professor was just the tip of the iceberg---but add in "revision" "reading a course of study" "tutor" "time-table" "module" "mark" etc etc etc...Ack!!

Yes why is it almost everything in academia is different?
"Staff" is a big one.  In the US, it usually means secretarial and administrative personnel.  Professors are described as faculty.  But in the UK, "staff" can include professors & lecturers, I think?
Then, the word "faculty" is used differently.. but of course college/university governance is different too.

DH is an academic and I have to say that I've spent the better part of the past year and a half figuring out the "translations" of academic terminology. To think lecturer vs professor was just the tip of the iceberg---but add in "revision" "reading a course of study" "tutor" "time-table" "module" "mark" etc etc etc...Ack!!

Ditto!  My hubby is a college lecturer (*not* teacher) I've been here 5 years, and I still can't get used to the different terminology.

In principal I initially refused to say whilst---I also thought it sounded too snotty...until I came to the realization that I felt even stranger NOT using it. It's strange how the language shift happens.

Ugh, no I won't use that one *or* fortnight which both sound as though they are straight out of a Jane Austen novel  (I do love Jane Austen by the way).  They just sound antiquated to me.

I'm still baffled at the rules of when articles or conjunctions are used/not used...Cannot get used to things like "to hospital" either. And more recent I've been amused by the lack of "AND"s in words like Macaroni Cheese and even McDonald's latest burger called "Big Tasty" which in the States has a nice old "and" in the middle as well. It's just odd.

Ditto again.  Can't get used to 'Cauliflower cheese', 'tuna mayo sandwich', etc without the 'and'.  Also can't get used to 'to hospital' which has been brought up so many times here, but maybe because it just sounds so odd to American ears.

in the US  the way people  tell a  story  that happened  to  them  and  say  "really?"..in the story  for emphasis.. ex. "She  was  telling me  how  I should have  put socks on  Johnny. Really?  Now you're going to tell me how  to  raise my  son? "  I guess  instead  of "seriously"  or  "are you serious"   which sound odd as well.   

I'm still baffled at the rules of when articles or conjunctions are used/not used...Cannot get used to things like "to hospital" either. And more recent I've been amused by the lack of "AND"s in words like Macaroni Cheese and even McDonald's latest burger called "Big Tasty" which in the States has a nice old "and" in the middle as well. It's just odd.

I glanced at the McDonald's menu and then ordered it as a Big and Tasty. The kid behind the counter looked at me, and in a condescending tone informed me it was a Big Tasty. Um, okay, you know what I am saying to correct me, you know what I am saying... I just told him that in the States it is a Big and Tasty. I also get odd looks if I say macaroni and cheese, but that is what I call it.

I also struggle with whilst and fortnight. I feel a bit historical novelish if I even think of saying them. I figure with my accent people will just know I am saying it the American way, and if they don't like it, no one has mentioned it so far.

Ugh, no I won't use that one *or* fortnight which both sound as though they are straight out of a Jane Austen novel  (I do love Jane Austen by the way).  They just sound antiquated to me.

I don't use "whilst" (and none of my British friends of family does either) because there's a perfectly good substitute which, being one letter shorter, takes no longer to say or type - "while."

However, I do use "fortnight" because it's a damned useful word! In fact, I just typed it in a newsletter not 5 minutes ago! 

in the US  the way people  tell a  story  that happened  to  them  and  say  "really?"..in the story  for emphasis.. ex. "She  was  telling me  how  I should have  put socks on  Johnny. Really?  Now you're going to tell me how  to  raise my  son? "  I guess  instead  of "seriously"  or  "are you serious"   which sound odd as well.   

I don't like that either. I'm probably guilty of doing it, but hopefully not too often.

Also the over-use of "absolutely" in response to a yes/no question. Just say yes!

And "Come with." Aaaargh, I hate that. FINISH YOUR SENTENCE!!!

I tried to pronounce "whilst" and DH said "Hu?" Apparently I pronounced it wrong. So now I have a permanent reason to not use it!


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I wish I could remember the exact what this was said when we were talking about an activity.

DSD - He won me.
Me: Huh? He beat you in the game?
DSD: yep

how can someone won you? or win?

I don't say whilst or fortnight either, I feel stupid saying both when they aren't natural to me. It's starting to drive me crazy when they talk about a family member and they say "our Suzanne..." I know who you are talking about if you JUST say "Suzanne" (She's the only one with that name!) I find it pointless in saying "our" in front of any name!

I wish I could remember the exact what this was said when we were talking about an activity.

DSD - He won me.
Me: Huh? He beat you in the game?
DSD: yep

how can someone won you? or win?

Not in that context.  They can win you something, in the sense of win it for you, eg "He won me a prize."