tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post115279267701222901..comments2024-03-16T00:21:43.240+00:00Comments on Separated by a Common Language: british overstatementlynneguisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10171345732985610861noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-57783005830557543792020-08-10T12:05:40.177+01:002020-08-10T12:05:40.177+01:00Br E. Iconic?Br E. Iconic?Shy-replyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01891566073375322808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-52863082916962646602018-04-10T15:44:51.543+01:002018-04-10T15:44:51.543+01:00As an American high school teacher, I have noticed...As an American high school teacher, I have noticed 3 words that are used in just about every sentence coming from a Gen-Z kid: "lit", "vibes", and "trippin'". I have never heard this slang come up on British media, so I assume all three are American inventions?EmilyVietnamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08180512831075999559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-34283044658817909232015-04-22T00:54:59.689+01:002015-04-22T00:54:59.689+01:00This is one of my pet-peeves, I find that people o...This is one of my pet-peeves, I find that people overuse these kinds of words so much that they start to lose their emphasis. Then when I have something to say where such a word IS appropriate I have to use modifiers such as 'truly' or 'actually' to indicate that the awesome building I saw wasn't just sort of nice but actually filled me with awe.<br /><br />I'd also like to submit another over used word (often on the internet); epiccrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-20300504578452002372013-09-30T00:03:56.730+01:002013-09-30T00:03:56.730+01:00I think your student probably said 'amazing...I think your student probably said 'amazing' twice because she was worried on an unconscious level that she'd be rude if she didn't intensify her speech. Just 'thanks' would sound rude.Ian Mac Eochagáinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08807587737403861042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-88252498404393144172012-06-13T13:56:53.636+01:002012-06-13T13:56:53.636+01:00I know this was quite an old post, but what about ...I know this was quite an old post, but what about "passionate"? It is apparently impossible to talk about one's food-related business without stating that one is "passionate about food" (as a Frenchwoman, I can't help but snigger when such a statement comes from British folks, but that could be me being mean). And of course, every product or dress item is "gorgeous", not to mention "vibrant" atmospheres absolutely everywhere (including in a deserted after 6 pm dreadfully conservative suburbian area).<br />Frankly, I sometimes wonder if I didn't move to an alternate-universe Britain where the proverbial art of understatement has been replaced by Mediterranean effusive communication style combined with American (and dare I say somewhat-immature-sounding) bubbling enthusiasm about, well, everything.<br />I blame marketing consultants, the reasoning being, I guess, if you can't be "passionate" about your own food, why suspicious would-be customers should bother to buy it?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14723613656610687926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-34527313508953241082007-06-09T10:20:00.000+01:002007-06-09T10:20:00.000+01:00hey, I read your blog, it's very knowlegeble.Read ...hey, I read your blog, it's very knowlegeble.<BR/><BR/>Read how to greet in Indian Culture.<BR/><BR/>http://indiankulture.blogspot.comTruely Indian by Heart and Soulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08452133498900164022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-69103936029260756042007-02-11T22:17:00.000+00:002007-02-11T22:17:00.000+00:00May I suggest absolutely as another entry in the o...May I suggest <I>absolutely</I> as another entry in the overused adjectives compendium? Particularly when it is spoken with emphasis on at least two of the first three syllables? (Ab! So! Lutely!) I hear this two, three times a week. <BR/><BR/>Additionally, I have a vague recollection - from my time as a temp - of agency staff overusing all manner of enthusiastic adjectives. There was someting <B>Fantastic!</B> and <B>Super!</B> or <B>Brilliant!</B> in every conversation. I'd get off the phone feeling exhausted. Now I know why.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-3711669376833820712006-11-16T12:24:00.000+00:002006-11-16T12:24:00.000+00:00my american colleagues use (overuse) awesomemy american colleagues use (overuse) awesomeLisa Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12989829233018013615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-1153126090128765762006-07-17T09:48:00.000+01:002006-07-17T09:48:00.000+01:00Personally I'm mistress of the quantified overstat...Personally I'm mistress of the quantified overstatement - 'It's really <I>quite</I> good' or 'It's a bit terrible', which I think is also a British trait - overpoliteness and an unwillingness to show off?Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15114191808501237357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-1152902717576036742006-07-14T19:45:00.000+01:002006-07-14T19:45:00.000+01:00The two people that laughed at it (the CD cover) h...The two people that laughed at it (the CD cover) hadn't heard the music - I suppose they thought it was the name of a heavy metal band, and were laughing at the obviousness of it. My guess.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-1152889089080128272006-07-14T15:58:00.000+01:002006-07-14T15:58:00.000+01:00Actually, I was saying that as an American I expec...Actually, I was saying that as an <I>American</I> I expect it to refer to a heart attack--e.g.:<BR/><BR/>HOUSTON -- Former Enron Corp. chairman and founder Ken Lay died of a massive heart attack early Wednesday, KPRC Local 2 reported. <BR/><BR/>It may not have occurred to you, but it might to other Americans.<BR/><BR/>The other reason to snigger at the name is that the music is pretty mellow for such a name. I don' t think it's pretentious--just not what one might expect from the name...lynneguisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10171345732985610861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-1152885691626366552006-07-14T15:01:00.000+01:002006-07-14T15:01:00.000+01:00Now it makes sense! I guess "massive attack" in Br...Now it makes sense! I guess "massive attack" in Britain would be taken to mean massive heart attack. Here it would be interpreted more literally, and so perhaps sounds a bit pretentious to an American ear.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-1152829526109994742006-07-13T23:25:00.000+01:002006-07-13T23:25:00.000+01:00Ah, how could I forget massive? Thanks! And don'...Ah, how could I forget <I>massive</I>? Thanks! And don't forget the Staines Massive:<BR/><BR/>http://www.stainesmassive.co.uk/thestainesmassive.html<BR/><BR/>Americans might be snickering at the name <I>Massive Attack</I> because it seems to be missing the word <I>heart</I> in the middle.lynneguisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10171345732985610861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-1152810759336008562006-07-13T18:12:00.000+01:002006-07-13T18:12:00.000+01:00I was surprised at the use of the word "massive". ...I was surprised at the use of the word "massive". I seem to recall that word being overused here in the US in the 1980's. I own a CD by the English group Massive Attack, and have had several people (Americans) snicker at the name, I guess because it sounds so unsubtle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28787909.post-1152795181595697872006-07-13T13:53:00.000+01:002006-07-13T13:53:00.000+01:00Massive. Brilliant. Lovely. (My list of excessives...Massive. Brilliant. Lovely. <BR/><BR/>(My list of excessives used excessively.) <BR/><BR/>Love your site. I've learned a lot already, and will be able to talk to my plumber much more brilliantly now. I remember when he first called, and wanted to pop round and have a look at the shower. I insisted that wasn't necessary, as I was positive it was leaking and actually needed to be fixed, not merely looked at.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com