Daily Mail article on Americanisms ruining the English language

I was thinking of something funny - I didn't understand 'fancy dress' when I moved over here as being a costume party kind of thing!  I thought it meant I had to wear something like what you might wear to a wedding, semi-formal, etc.  Lol!  I still get laughs from DH when I ask if I have to dress up 'fancy' for something, because it so means something completely different to me!

Does dressing "fancy" or calling something "fancy" always mean in terms of wearing a costume? I knew (from here!) that fancy dress means a costume party (though, I admit, I have to think for a sec whenever I hear it.) Is it not used as a synonym for posh in other situations?

Does dressing "fancy" or calling something "fancy" always mean in terms of wearing a costume? I knew (from here!) that fancy dress means a costume party (though, I admit, I have to think for a sec whenever I hear it.) Is it not used as a synonym for posh in other situations?

Well I'm not really sure!  DH always laughs at me when I say that, so there's just no telling! 

Okay-- I did say I was trying to go through this thread and take out off topic comments-- but when the comments continue while I am in the middle of trying to clean it up, I really have no choice but to lock it.
If people have concerns about my decision please feel free to pm me. I will see if I can clean it up and then unlock it if people want to sensibly continue the conversation.

Irregardless I ask that we keep away from personal comments (and yes irregardless is my poor attempt to lighten the mood )

Let me start by saying that I am finding myself paranoid about my grammar as I type posts on this thread now 

I have been browsing through today's posts as it seems this when things began to get touchy. There are several posts that were off topic and personal but I feel like they were addressed and people moved on from them relatively quickly so I am not going to go back and remove all of them-- if someone has any that they feel they would like removed please let me know and I will give it a second look.

I have removed the more recent personal off-topic comments. I am going to leave the thread locked for tonight and will have one more look tomorrow and then we can try again.
I do find the thread interesting and I can see many others do. It would be nice to be able to continue on with the focus on respecting different points of view.

Moderating expat life is usually easy-- and I don't believe in jumping in most of the time-- thank you all who tried to refocus the discussion.

okay....we will give it another go...please try to keep on topic.

I've never seen "irregardless" written, except in discussions like this.  I do remember my Dad, who is a technical writer for the Air Force, giving me a lecture about it when I was in junior high, along with "supposably".  I'll have to send him a link showing him that I was right--it really *is* a word!

I see that this writer is still banging on about this: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1286129/MATTHEW-ENGEL-Its-time-rise-throw-Prime-Mary-Lee-Britain.html

The article says he is 'start[ing] a weekly dispatch on the latest offenders'

I don't really know where he's going with this as he states in the article he dislikes 'pompous old prunes issuing commands about what is and is not correct.'  Er..

Why are y'all reading the Daily Mail?  Are you not aware it causes cancer?  It's true!  The Daily Mail is a known carcinogen, just like Alan Sugar and Jeremy Kyle.
 

Ha

To be honest, I enjoy reading the Daily Mail occasionally (online only -- I wouldn't pay for it).  But only for the gossipy things (like who's wearing what) or if I want something to laugh at.

I have issues with UK journalism anyway -- I regularly read the Guardian, but I much prefer the New York Times or the Washington Post.

By the way, I've just discovered Peter Hitchens -- I think he may actually be the craziest person to write for the Mail.

Does dressing "fancy" or calling something "fancy" always mean in terms of wearing a costume? I knew (from here!) that fancy dress means a costume party (though, I admit, I have to think for a sec whenever I hear it.) Is it not used as a synonym for posh in other situations?

Don't forget "fancy man"!!

I think he may actually be the craziest person to write for the Mail.

Crazier than Melanie Phillips?

I much prefer the New York Times or the Washington Post.

I lived in DC for a while, and I really liked the Washington Post.  I rarely get attached to a newspaper, but it was excellent.

Crazier than Melanie Phillips?

I have to agree with you on this.  That woman is nuttier than a fruit cake.  Nuttier than Liz Jones.  Nuttier than any of them.  She was on "The Moral Maze" this past weekend, and I bet they won't ask her back.

What's the weirdest about her is that she seems intelligent and reasonable whenever she's on one of these shows, then, suddenly and without warning, she shows her bat--it craziness. 

Don't forget "fancy man"!!

Wait! I don't know that one! What does it mean?

I have to agree with you on this.  That woman is nuttier than a fruit cake.

I have trouble deciding if Melanie Phillips or Mark Steyn is the crazier.