The English to English Tumblr site is an amusing attempt by the Guardian’s New York office to help their primarily British audience understand some of the quirks of the differences between how the language is used on each side of the Atlantic Ocean (with some asides regarding Australia). It’s an amusing read, partially to see how seriously people take tea and how it’s presented for use.
At very least, you get to witness interactions like this, about a phrase I personally could live without ever hearing again:
Not strictly a translation as much as an explanation. I’m a Brit and I recently came across the phrase “more cowbell”. I’ve managed to find out where it comes from but I don’t really understand how it’s used now.
—- Asked by geekyisgoodbristol
You mean other than just people referencing this SNL skit, over and over again? Doesn’t really happen.
See, while our culture is superior in nearly every way, we can still learn something from those monarchy-driven Brits.
This article appears in Jun 20-26, 2013.
“There’s a Tumblr Helping Brits to Understand Our Superior American English”
I know for a fact that most Brits view what Americans do with the English language as “inferior” and that’s probably why this article falls under the “Fun in General” category, because they will view something like this as amusing.
As a former Englishman (came here in 1955) I am constantly
amazed We Americans totally butcher the English language
and claim the the Brits speak English with an English accent.
Great, but I think Americans need a lot more help to learn how to use THEIR language properly. I am appalled at the turn American English has taken since the dawn of the Internet. Even newswriters – people with English degrees cannot even seem to write properly. Too bad more Americans don’t have the opportunity to be educated in England, as I was.
What really amazed Me was that My Grandaughter (aged 17)
actually thought that a couple was an undefined amount
(anything up to a hundred), and that 1 second meant several
minutes.