Bloody well, then

Apparently some Brits are upset about Americanisms slipping onto their shores.

OK, fine if it's something really stupid and trendy, but what's wrong with words like "hospitalize" and "ouster"? I love that they are angry with "wrench" for "spanner," since the only time I ever heard "spanner" was in Dire Straits' "Industrial Disease." (Thanks to Alex for the link!)

Two countries separated by a common language

Love this piece in the London Guardian, where their readers whine that too many Americanisms are slipping in to the newspaper's copy.

Excerpt: "words to incur the anger of some readers include first lady (for the prime minister's wife), kindergarten (for nursery), lawmakers, upcoming, people being raised rather than brought up, authorities ("I regard the use of the term 'authorities' as an dreadfully ugly American import from the land without style"), scuzzy, a slew of, happenstance, and "the increasing use of vacation for holiday, quite apart from the ghastly staycation."

Heh. Reminds me of Americans complaining about Spanish showing up more and more on billboards and the like. No one wants to change, they only want the words they grew up with.

Also, the end of the article kindly defends "suck."

It kind of reminds me of this, where Seattle film critic (and hilarious writer) Lindy West dared to mention Thanksgiving in a movie review she did for an English paper. Brits FREAKED OUT. NO WE DON'T KNOW THANKSGIVING YOU YANK BASTARDS WE'RE ALL GUY FAWKESING AND BOXING DAYING was pretty much the response.