Why is it...

Why is it that people ie., go to hospital not to the hospital? It just doesn't sound right to me.

The rule for the definite article and institutions is that you don't use one if you are part of the institution and it is part of your normal life.  So for example, if you are a student, you say "I go to school," with no article, but if you are the student's parent who has a conference with the teacher, you say "I am going to *the* school tonight." You wouldn't say "I am going to school tonight," because people would think you were taking a night class. Same with "prison." If you are an inmate, you are "in prison," but if you visit an inmate, you go "to *the* prison." British English considers that if you are a patient, then you belong to the institution of the hospital, albeit temporarily, so they leave off the article. American English doesn't.   

I was wondering that myself, but never wanted to ask any of the locals. Every time I have asked a 'Why is it..' question about British English vs. American English, I get the answer, 'It just is.' I only ask to understand, but the locals seem to either treat me as if I am stupid for asking, or as if I am mocking them.

Another one I just don't understand is 'were' in place of 'was'. I've heard to many locals say 'were' in places I was taught to say 'was', as in: (Person A) 'It were a great party.' (Person B) 'It were, weren't it?' I carry on as I was taught in school. They will either think I am dumb or accept it as one of my American quirks, I suppose.

I'm tired, I think I'll go to the bed.

(just kidding)

Also, the menopause.

I was wondering that myself, but never wanted to ask any of the locals. Every time I have asked a 'Why is it..' question about British English vs. American English, I get the answer, 'It just is.' I only ask to understand, but the locals seem to either treat me as if I am stupid for asking, or as if I am mocking them.

Another one I just don't understand is 'were' in place of 'was'. I've heard to many locals say 'were' in places I was taught to say 'was', as in: (Person A) 'It were a great party.' (Person B) 'It were, weren't it?' I carry on as I was taught in school. They will either think I am dumb or accept it as one of my American quirks, I suppose.

At least they don't say your DAFT

Around here a lot of people say 'wa' (because they often drop letters off of words) and with the accent, it comes out sounding as 'were'.  I asked my DH about this before I even moved to the UK because he says that all the time but he is rather 'posh' compared to typical Yorkshire speak and that was his explanation.  I started paying attention to people when I got here (manly because I thought he was yanking my chain) and I did find that most people were actually saying 'wa'.  I'm not sure what word they are actually trying to say (were vs was) because most people also don't pronounce their 'r' so it would come out sounding as 'wa' even if they were trying to say 'were'.   

Why is it that people ie., go to hospital not to the hospital? It just doesn't sound right to me.

You get used to it.
I always wondered why I was working in "The Brotherton Library" whereas I used to work in "[American] Library"

You guys are really funny! My husband always says I'm going to "my bed". I say I'm going to bed, it's like he has to specify what/whose bed he's going to or something. Like when someone gets pissed. I know that where I'm from getting pissed is getting angry and getting pissed over there is getting drunk. I'll have to watch that one as I tend to use I'm pissed, or he's/she's pissed a lot.
I am from Chicago, born and bred, so I have a specialty mix of "Americanisms" I guess. I'm hoping that Manchester can handle me.

You guys are really funny! My husband always says I'm going to "my bed". I say I'm going to bed, it's like he has to specify what/whose bed he's going to or something. Like when someone gets pissed. I know that where I'm from getting pissed is getting angry and getting pissed over there is getting drunk. I'll have to watch that one as I tend to use I'm pissed, or he's/she's pissed a lot.
I am from Chicago, born and bred, so I have a specialty mix of "Americanisms" I guess. I'm hoping that Manchester can handle me.

Pissed in the UK can also mean angry...depends on the context.   

But that's being 'pissed-off' rather than just 'pissed' (ie drunk)

But that's being 'pissed-off' rather than just 'pissed' (ie drunk)

Yeah, it only means angry when accompanied by 'off'.

I'm pissed = I'm drunk

I'm pissed off = I'm angry

So, US phrases like 'I'm really pissed at him' don't really make sense in the UK, because you can't be 'drunk at someone' (but you can be 'pissed off' with someone) .

Yeah, it only means angry when accompanied by 'off'.

I'm pissed = I'm drunk

I'm pissed off = I'm angry

So, US phrases like 'I'm really pissed at him' don't really make sense in the UK, because you can't be 'drunk at someone' (but you can be 'pissed off' with someone) .

And the first time I went to the States someone I was with said "he was so pissed he got in the car and drove home", which took a while to register with me what they meant!

I was wondering that myself, but never wanted to ask any of the locals. Every time I have asked a 'Why is it..' question about British English vs. American English, I get the answer, 'It just is.' I only ask to understand, but the locals seem to either treat me as if I am stupid for asking, or as if I am mocking them.

I think it's more because we've not analysed it, it's just what we say, so they aren't mocking you or thinking you are stupid. DW asks me why we have certain sayings, and it makes me think about it, but generally it's just a case of that is how it's said when you are growing up and you just pick it up.
Like Mrs Robinson says....I say "it were" but it's more "it wa'" missing the S on was....it's like asking why some Americans say "wa'er", missing the "t" in water. It just is.

In all of my life I have never heard anyone pronouce water, wa'er. I wonder what part of the country they were from? I personally don't say a hard g in hanger and others from the same city do. I also know some folks that say "warsh" instead of wash.