Originally posted by Great Big SteesIn America, it used to be "a rising tide lifts all boats". Now it's more like "if a nail is sticking up, hammer it back down".
Ya, Wisconsin eh? It's starting to rear it's head (note no "ugly) here (Canada) too what with Toronto talking of privatizing the collection of garbage as an example.
So one sector is protected by a union. Instead of breaking up the unions, perhaps we need to find a way to enable all Americans to share in the benefits.
This is analogous to Americans who think it is okay to amend our Constitution to deprive people of rights. The purpose of Constitutional amendments is to guarantee rights to Americans, not take them away. By the same token, providing benefits to American workers should be considered a good thing, not a nasty infringement on the rights of corporations. American workers are always > corporations. It's really too bad that too many Americans are subscribing to one political party's worship of the only state-sponsored religion in this country: Capitalism.
Originally posted by SuzianneIt is an Americanism.
I have never heard the phrase "pay rise" or the word "rise" when meaning "raise". Never.
It can't be an Americanism. If it IS an Americanism, I would probably prefer the term "locally popular dumbassism".
It HAS to be British.
There are many other examples of where the english language has been Americanised.
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Originally posted by SuziannePerhaps a form of socialism would be the answer. Canada is pretty much a socialist country if not in name and we seem, at least on the surface, to be doing OK. Perhaps that might help?
In America, it used to be "a rising tide lifts all boats". Now it's more like "if a nail is sticking up, hammer it back down".
So one sector is protected by a union. Instead of breaking up the unions, perhaps we need to find a way to enable all Americans to share in the benefits.
This is analogous to Americans who think it is okay to amend our Const ...[text shortened]... litical party's worship of the only state-sponsored religion in this country: Capitalism.
Originally posted by SuzianneTrust me, you have not heard of a lot of things, dear. Doesn't mean they don't exist, now does it?
I have never heard the phrase "pay rise" or the word "rise" when meaning "raise". Never.
It can't be an Americanism. If it IS an Americanism, I would probably prefer the term "locally popular dumbassism".
It HAS to be British.
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Originally posted by nook7This is true, and yet, there also exists a stereotype where if it's stupid, then it must be because of the Americans. The British have their fair share of stupid words and phrases that make no sense that no American would ever say.
It is an Americanism.
There are many other examples of where the english language has been Americanised.
I'm telling you, I am an American adult, I speak to a lot of people in the course of my typical day, and I watch a lot of national news on TV (when I watch TV). I have never ever heard of this so called Americanism. It smacks of something stupid the British cooked up and are now trying to blame it on Americans.
I do understand what an Americanism is. I just maintain that this is not one of them. My speech is often filled with Americanisms. I am an American, what else would you expect? I've NEVER heard of this one though.
Perhaps you mean "Americanization"? I might buy that. Americanization is not the same as an Americanism. All you folks claiming it's an Americanism need to check your definition of that word.
Americanism is "a word or phrase considered typical of American English, English as spoken in the United States". Except I've never heard this particular phrase ("pay rise" ) ever used "in the United States".
Americanization is "the influence of the United States on the popular culture, technology, business practices, political techniques or language, of other countries. The term has been used since 1907. Inside the U.S. the term most often refers to the process of acculturation by immigrants to American customs. Critics sometimes give "Americanization" a negative connotation because they perceive as negative the far-reaching American influence in many countries, and may fear the loss of local customs and traditions."
I think Americanization might be what you mean. Your use of the word "Americanised" (Br. spelling) tipped me off to this.
Originally posted by SuzianneSuzianne, in my country we speak our own brand of English , yet are raised with constant exposure to both British and American english with associated slang expressions and twists etc etc. l think this gives us a very open view to decide what is "english english" and what is "americanised english.
This is true, and yet, there also exists a stereotype where if it's stupid, then it must be because of the Americans. The British have their fair share of stupid words and phrases that make no sense that no American would ever say.
I'm telling you, I am an American adult, I speak to a lot of people in the course of my typical day, and I watch a lot of n ...[text shortened]... n. Your use of the word "Americanised" (Br. spelling) tipped me off to this.
Given the number of english speakers in the USA (as a first langauage) and the power of US Cinema and TV - it wont be long before anything not " americanised" will not be considered being in the english langauage!
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Originally posted by HandyAndyCorrect. Nor am I ignorant.
I thought you were just a mean-spirited ignorant little man, but I was wrong.
You're not that charming.
For the first point, I blame a constant exposure to Americaniszed television, and for the second, I thank my Dutch education. What's your excuse?
Richard