TALK STORY

I'm not usually a nit-picker but this is bugging the hell out of me.

POSTED BY: EBONEZER
UPDATED: Monday, April 18, 2005 13:22
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 28184
PAGE 1 of 3

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 5:41 PM

EBONEZER


Every sense i joined this site however long agao i joined it, i've been looking at a quote that says something like "I poured my heart and soul into this show. I beleved in it with every fibre of my being."

fibre? What the hell is a fibre?

i know whoever put it there ment fiber and it just kind of slipped through the cracks but still, PLEASE fix it. It makes the site look bad. It was the first thing i saw when i first came to the site and it made it look a little dumb.

Sorry if this thread is in the totaly wrong place, i just had to tell someone.

-----------------------------------
We do the hard thespian, so you don't have to.


NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 5:43 PM

GUNHAND


That's how the Brits spell it and Joss is quite the Anglophile. So...spelled right just not how Americans normally see it.



~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
"Oh hey, I got an idea. Instead of us hanging
around playing art critic till I get pinched by
the Man, how's about we move away from this
eerie-ass piece of work and get on with our
increasingly eerie-ass day, how's that?"

My eerie-ass website:
http://gunhandsfirefly.homestead.com/Index.html

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 5:46 PM

EBONEZER


so it is spelled right? I'm so confused...

sorry i'm an illetrate dolt people.

-----------------------------------
We do the hard thespian, so you don't have to.

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 5:50 PM

GUNHAND


Nope, not illerate. Just that in the UK there are many words that are spelled quite differently than they are in the US. And there are some that are pronounced much differently even if they're spelled the same. And yet others that are spelled and pronounced the same even though they mean completely different things.

Personally I think we should just bite the bullet and call what we speak (here in the US) American instead of English because we're just about at the point where a linguist would consider them seperate dialects like Swedish and Norwegan for example.

So yeah it is spelled correctly in the English that the Brits use. Since Joss studied there he uses a few British spellings and I'm assuming that's how he wrote it, fibre.



~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
"Oh hey, I got an idea. Instead of us hanging
around playing art critic till I get pinched by
the Man, how's about we move away from this
eerie-ass piece of work and get on with our
increasingly eerie-ass day, how's that?"

My eerie-ass website:
http://gunhandsfirefly.homestead.com/Index.html

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 5:53 PM

EBONEZER


ahhhh..thanks for clearing that up.

Yeah thenm brittish folks say some differnt things then us. A freind of a freind (who was brittish) said "Put wood in hole" instead of "close the door."

thanks gunhand!

-----------------------------------
We do the hard thespian, so you don't have to.

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 5:55 PM

GUNRUNNER


Americans and British spell things differently because after the American Revolution we Americans changed the spelling on many words do separate our selves from England (We also started drinking coffee to stick it to the British Tea makers). For example Harbor is spelled Harbour (I think) in England.

The Firefly CCG Web Site:
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/Bllm119/firefly_ccg_web_site.htm
My Other Site:
http://www.geocities.com/billds9/

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 5:55 PM

GUNHAND


Sure thing.

Hehe, yeah they have even more confusing sayings aside from just the words.

One time in a bar I had a Royal Marine ask me to,"S the salt." Believe me that took me a whole long while to wrap my brain around.

It meant "pass" but it was very odd to me.



~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
"Oh hey, I got an idea. Instead of us hanging
around playing art critic till I get pinched by
the Man, how's about we move away from this
eerie-ass piece of work and get on with our
increasingly eerie-ass day, how's that?"

My eerie-ass website:
http://gunhandsfirefly.homestead.com/Index.html

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 6:00 PM

GUNHAND


Quote:

Originally posted by GunRunner:
Americans and British spell things differently because after the American Revolution we Americans changed the spelling on many words do separate our selves from England (We also started drinking coffee to stick it to the British Tea makers). For example Harbor is spelled Harbour (I think) in England.

The Firefly CCG Web Site:
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/Bllm119/firefly_ccg_web_site.htm
My Other Site:
http://www.geocities.com/billds9/




Indeed! (I need a little pic of David Lo Pan from Big Trouble in Little China to stick in here everytime I say that)

Some of it was intentional, the rest of it is your general linguistic drift over the centuries.

There are some places in the US where people use completely different idioms and whatnot so it isn't all that surprising that having an ocean between us made the language different. A cliched statement is,"America and Britain are two countries seperated by a common language."

But the brilliant British commedian said it even better,"America and Britain are two countries seperated by a very large ocean."



I got even with the salt passers though, they could barely understand my accent to begin with so I guess we're even. Hehe.



~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
"Oh hey, I got an idea. Instead of us hanging
around playing art critic till I get pinched by
the Man, how's about we move away from this
eerie-ass piece of work and get on with our
increasingly eerie-ass day, how's that?"

My eerie-ass website:
http://gunhandsfirefly.homestead.com/Index.html

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 6:01 PM

FIREFLYTHEMOVIE


Actually, Swedish & Norwegian are 2 different languages--they don't even use the same set of letters. They're not mutually intelligible. And there are hundreds of dialects within the US...

But, yeah, I don't speak English or Spanish. I speak American and Mexican.

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 6:09 PM

DELIA


Quote:

Originally posted by Gunhand:
Sure thing.

Hehe, yeah they have even more confusing sayings aside from just the words.

One time in a bar I had a Royal Marine ask me to,"S the salt." Believe me that took me a whole long while to wrap my brain around.

It meant "pass" but it was very odd to me.






I once knew a guy who, during his time in England, had a girl ask him to "come round in the morning and knock me up." Always good to know about these little cross-cultural things before flying 'cross the pond.

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 6:19 PM

GUNHAND


Quote:

Originally posted by Fireflythemovie:
Actually, Swedish & Norwegian are 2 different languages--they don't even use the same set of letters. They're not mutually intelligible. And there are hundreds of dialects within the US...

But, yeah, I don't speak English or Spanish. I speak American and Mexican.



I don't speak either Norwegan or Swedish but got that info on the spoken bit from a Swede, lettering I know was different. Those Swedes, always getting me in trouble, then again he could have been one of those sort that still thinks they're one country, they have a few of them over there I hear. Hehe.

Definately have to agree that Mexican/Spanish is in the same boat as American/English. The Mexicans though at least admit it, while we Americans (especially English teachers) try to hang to the stubborn belief that what we speak is, in fact, English. Which it ain't.


~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
"Oh hey, I got an idea. Instead of us hanging
around playing art critic till I get pinched by
the Man, how's about we move away from this
eerie-ass piece of work and get on with our
increasingly eerie-ass day, how's that?"

My eerie-ass website:
http://gunhandsfirefly.homestead.com/Index.html

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 6:21 PM

GUNHAND


Quote:

Originally posted by Delia:
Quote:

Originally posted by Gunhand:
Sure thing.

Hehe, yeah they have even more confusing sayings aside from just the words.

One time in a bar I had a Royal Marine ask me to,"S the salt." Believe me that took me a whole long while to wrap my brain around.

It meant "pass" but it was very odd to me.






I once knew a guy who, during his time in England, had a girl ask him to "come round in the morning and knock me up." Always good to know about these little cross-cultural things before flying 'cross the pond.



Not touching that one. Hehehe.

It sorta reminds me of the scene in National Lampoon's European Vacation where Clark is talking with the hotel clerk and trying to use his electronic translator, in England. So funny yet so true.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
"Oh hey, I got an idea. Instead of us hanging
around playing art critic till I get pinched by
the Man, how's about we move away from this
eerie-ass piece of work and get on with our
increasingly eerie-ass day, how's that?"

My eerie-ass website:
http://gunhandsfirefly.homestead.com/Index.html

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 6:24 PM

SIGMANUNKI


For the record I am Canadian and I spent a good chunk of time living in the States. I got back about 3/4 yr ago, so, my knowledge should be quite current.

Here's another word for ya:
honor
honour

Apparently, we in the Commonwealth really like to use that letter 'u'.

Quote:

Originally posted by Gunhand:
There are some places in the US where people use completely different idioms and whatnot so it isn't all that surprising that having an ocean between us made the language different. A cliched statement is,"America and Britain are two countries seperated by a common language."


I do think that Americans do not speak english anymore. I agree that they speak American.

When I lived down there I for one had one hell of a culture shock and I actually have a lot of difficulties understanding people. I found it very interesting that there are so very many differences in our two cultures when on the surface they look quite similar.

My wife (who is Germany) can actually tell the difference between Canadians and Americans just by listening to them talk. She is still trying to figure out exactly what the difference is, but, there definitely is one.


Quote:

Originally posted by Gunhand:
But the brilliant British commedian said it even better,"America and Britain are two countries seperated by a very large ocean."


So, there's only 1 then.

----
"Canada being mad at you is like Mr. Rogers throwing a brick through your window." -Jon Stewart, The Daily Show

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 6:33 PM

GUNHAND


Definately different cultures between Canada and the US as well. I've been to Canada several times and they had no problem figuring out I wasn't a local just because of the way I spoke. Then they'd start speaking more slowly, I guess to match me, to which I had to say,"Just 'cause I talk slow don't mean I'm stupid."

The funniest thing I ever saw was a Canadian friend of mine at a BBQ that a friend of mine from Alabama was having, I almost felt like I was going to have to repeat everything for the poor Canadian guy.

We got even with him though when we told him on no uncertain terms that you do not put mayo on fries. Everyone knows ya dip them in a chocolate shake.





~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
"Oh hey, I got an idea. Instead of us hanging
around playing art critic till I get pinched by
the Man, how's about we move away from this
eerie-ass piece of work and get on with our
increasingly eerie-ass day, how's that?"

My eerie-ass website:
http://gunhandsfirefly.homestead.com/Index.html

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 6:47 PM

RKLENSETH


Here is another one that I recently found out on another forum with a bunch of English, Aussies, and Canadians.

It appears they spell the plural of tomato tomatos witout an e while we Americans spell it tomatoes. I even looked it up in my Webster dictionary and it was spelt tomatoes but one of the English people looked it up in their Oxford dictionary and it was spelt tomatos.

Weird.

Another one from Austrailia is a thong to them is what we call flip-flops which are worn on the feet. I thought this was kind of weird as well.

Then you have theater which to the English is theatre. Honor and color which is to them honour and colour.

So I guess we do speak American.

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 6:53 PM

RKLENSETH


Quote:

Originally posted by Gunhand:
Definately different cultures between Canada and the US as well. I've been to Canada several times and they had no problem figuring out I wasn't a local just because of the way I spoke. Then they'd start speaking more slowly, I guess to match me, to which I had to say,"Just 'cause I talk slow don't mean I'm stupid."

The funniest thing I ever saw was a Canadian friend of mine at a BBQ that a friend of mine from Alabama was having, I almost felt like I was going to have to repeat everything for the poor Canadian guy.

We got even with him though when we told him on no uncertain terms that you do not put mayo on fries. Everyone knows ya dip them in a chocolate shake.





~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
"Oh hey, I got an idea. Instead of us hanging
around playing art critic till I get pinched by
the Man, how's about we move away from this
eerie-ass piece of work and get on with our
increasingly eerie-ass day, how's that?"

My eerie-ass website:
http://gunhandsfirefly.homestead.com/Index.html]


Who puts mayo on fries anyways? That is disgusting. Ketchup only. I remember when I went to a trip to Virginia once (I live in Upstate New York) and ordered a hamburger and they put gorram mayo on it. I mean who puts mayo on a hamburger. Everyone knows that only ketchup and maybe some mustard belongs on a hamburger.

I also noticed pretty quickly how different things are down there. Different stores, different fast food other than McDonalds (But they sell somewhat different food), and no Friehoffers (I think I am spelling that right).

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 7:04 PM

GUNHAND


When I was in Quebec seemed they doused everything with mayo, so it could be a Quebec thing and not a Canadian thing overall. The friend at the BBQ also was from, indeed, Montreal. We smacked him everytime he went towards the mayo in the fridge.

Hmmm, everytime I've been to VA they never tried mayo on my burger, that would have caused me to start a riot. Maybe you just wound up in the one restaurant in VA owned and operated by expatriates from Canada? Hey it could happen.

Definately different foods, pork rinds, moon pies and every soft drink being a coke can confuse people too. So yeah there is a North-South difference as well.

Now in AZ where I live now it's definately different than back east, either north or south. It's kind of a mix of Mexico, the old South and New Jersey all rolled into one, which is a little unsettling at first; also some California in the mix too but everyone seems to do their best to pretend it doesn't exist. Hehe.

Spanglish is a definately a real thing too. Although maybe we should call it Mexmerikin?







~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
"Oh hey, I got an idea. Instead of us hanging
around playing art critic till I get pinched by
the Man, how's about we move away from this
eerie-ass piece of work and get on with our
increasingly eerie-ass day, how's that?"

My eerie-ass website:
http://gunhandsfirefly.homestead.com/Index.html

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 7:44 PM

PURPLEBELLY


Quote:

Originally posted by rklenseth:

Who puts mayo on fries anyways?



The Belgians, who make the best fried chipped potatoes in the world.

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 8:35 PM

ELWOODMOM


>>I once knew a guy who, during his time in England, had a girl ask him to "come round in the morning and knock me up." Always good to know about these little cross-cultural things before flying 'cross the pond.<<

Talk about Lost in Translation!

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 11:23 PM

RELFEXIVE


Quote:

Originally posted by PurpleBelly:
Quote:

Originally posted by rklenseth:
Who puts mayo on fries anyways?



The Belgians, who make the best fried chipped potatoes in the world.



Pip pip, what ho, spiffing and all that malarky.

Spike: Bloody Hell, sodding, blimey, shagging, knickers, bollocks. Oh God, I'm English.
Giles: Welcome to the Nancy tribe.


Yes, you pesky colonial upstarts speak some peculiar dialect called 'American'. You people seem incapable of spelling properly as well.

Hurumph.

....

Well, now that the comedy is over...

God yes, Belgian chips. Excellent. And Belgian chocolate. Belgian beer... Ahhh...

In case you cared, I'm quarter-Belgian, so I like the finer things in life.

And in case you had forgottten.... Here is something from Pulp Fiction:

Vincent: But you know what they put on french fries in Holland instead of ketchup?

Jules: What?

Vincent: Mayonnaise.

Jules: Goddamn!

Vincent: I seen 'em do it. And I don't mean a little bit on the side of the plate, they drown 'em in it.




Mal: "We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so... very... pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 11:49 PM

GROUNDED


Quote:

Originally posted by rklenseth:
but one of the English people looked it up in their Oxford dictionary and it was spelt tomatos.



Well I just checked my Oxford dictionary and the plural is -oes

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 2:52 AM

CALHOUN


I'm an Australian and can speak many languages.. Australian, American, English, Canadian and New Zealand..

Heres another word = Colour, Color

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 3:02 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave


However, I was told by a native Swedish speaker that the reason why my Norwegian grandfather and Danish grandmother could speak their separate native languages and still understand each other was because the dialects were similar. He even said that he could understand Norwegian, but then again he lived in Sweden for the better part of his childhood. He also had the finest New Yawk accent I'd heard in some time.


We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 3:40 AM

CAPNRAHN


Here is another 'linguistic' difference ...

When in England don't call the bit on the faucet that turns on the water "A Knob" ... trust me! Faucet 'knobs' are called 'handwheels'. A knob is the end bit of anatomy particular to males!

I know this intimately because I manufacture movie prop replicas and was working on finding the component parts of the 1977 "Star Wars - A new Hope" Obi Wan Kenobi lightsabre {lol, yet another one! sabre vs saber}back in '98. I found them {and intro'ed them to SW fandom } in England.

The bit on the bottom of the light sabre is a British 'handwheel' from a plumbing company called -- get this - Armitage Shanks. Shanks referring to plumbing pipes and such. Wehn I called - I made the mistake of calling it a 'knob' ... the receptionist {with a high pitched girly voice, LOL!} giggled until no-end. However, she was nice enough to tell me the differance.

I have learned much about Britishisms from Red Dwarf {mostly slang, ya smegheads!} and my many years of friendship with several of my British suppliers. Fun stuff learning other countries lingo.

Oh, and when in England or talking to a Brit, don't ask anybody if "they're on the job" ...

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 3:48 AM

RKLENSETH


Quote:

Originally posted by Channain:
However, I was told by a native Swedish speaker that the reason why my Norwegian grandfather and Danish grandmother could speak their separate native languages and still understand each other was because the dialects were similar. He even said that he could understand Norwegian, but then again he lived in Sweden for the better part of his childhood. He also had the finest New Yawk accent I'd heard in some time.


We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922]

That would be Brooklynese not all people from New York speak that and usually only Brooklyn people speak that way.

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 3:55 AM

RELFEXIVE


Quote:

Originally posted by CapnRahn:
I know this intimately because I do props and was working on finding the component parts of the 1977 "Star Wars - A new Hope" Obi Wan Kenobi lightsabre {lol, yet another one! sabre vs saber}back in '98. I found them {and intro'ed them to SW fandom } in England.




Ah, now this is odd. In Star Wars they are called lightsabres... in England the actual sword (a light to heavy fencing weapon, typically, though a 'heavy cavalry sabre' is more like a curved broadsword) is called a sabre... but the same sword in the US is a saber.

Strange, neh?

Mal: "We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so... very... pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 3:57 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave


It also tends to be the favorite chosen "American" accent adapted by European actors. Ever notice that?

Hardly anybody picks up the MinneSOHta accent. That seem strange to you?

ya, sure, youbetcha!

right - don't let the avatar fool ya, boys.

We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 7:02 AM

CHRONICTHEHEDGEHOG


Actually it could be said that the American's have more of a right to say they speak English than we English do. The American way of speaking English derives from English before standarization was introduced over here to make everyone spell things the same way. As such, the American spellings reflect the original English language, and not the more recent standardised one now used.

Also, one of the big differences (in my opinion) is the American "pants" vs the English "trousers". This too, was originally English which was changed when we wanted to distance ourselves from the French and invented the word trousers instead of pantaloons.



check out my WIP firefly roleplay system at www.estador.co.uk/firefly

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 7:21 AM

GUNHAND


Woah, an English person saying we did something right when it comes to the language. This is a good day.

Just teasin', you guys have always been great to me, even when trying to make me confused in bars.



Now for my daily dose of usless yet semi-related trivia: The United States of America does not have an official language. Yep you read that right. English just happens to be the language of common use. But there is no Federal law saying that English is the official language of the country. And I'm pretty sure we're the only country without one, but I may be wrong.

The reason for this is rather strange, and is in fact a backhanded way of letting English survive in the US. The founding fathers did have a vote to try to get English as the official language but many of the delegates to the convention were still rather miffy at the Brits because of the whole Revolutionary War thing.

So these delegates went a little bit overboard and backed a PA representative's notion that German should be the official language. German fell short but there was no clear, ratifiable result. So when everyone saw that everyone else was being kooky they decided to call it a day and not risk all having to learn German.

Thus no official language and why in some states you can take your driver's test in, I kid you not, over 40 different languages. Other states have state laws making English the official language of the state, but no Federal law exists.

This is what happens when people get miffy after Revolutions.





~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
"Oh hey, I got an idea. Instead of us hanging
around playing art critic till I get pinched by
the Man, how's about we move away from this
eerie-ass piece of work and get on with our
increasingly eerie-ass day, how's that?"

My eerie-ass website:
http://gunhandsfirefly.homestead.com/Index.html

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 8:18 AM

SAMURAIX47


Quote:

Originally posted by Channain:
Hardly anybody picks up the MinneSOHta accent. That seem strange to you?



hey i could pick out a MinneSOHta accent in 2 or 3 words... My father grew up in St. Cloud... and one of my cousins there is actually going to college for Linguistics. I read one of his papers and it seems there are even differences within the state.

Jaymes

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 8:39 AM

KELLAINA


Quote:

Originally posted by SigmaNunki:

My wife (who is Germany) can actually tell the difference between Canadians and Americans just by listening to them talk. She is still trying to figure out exactly what the difference is, but, there definitely is one.



There was a CBC documentary a while ago that attributed the difference between Canadian and American speech to the way we pronounce vowels when they are followed by certain consonants (or something like that) and also by the fact that we tend to raise our voices at the end of sentences while Americans lower theirs.

Also: centre = center; and we also sometimes put gravy and cheese on our fries along with the mayonnaise



NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 8:44 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave


Quote:

Astute observation by SamuraiX47
I read one of his papers and it seems there are even differences within the state.

Tis true. The closer you get to the Iron range, the more we start to sound like Canadians. Then in the Midwest part of the state, where I'm from, it fluctuates dramatically depending on which generation you happen to be and how much Norwegian blood you have. I come from a small Minnesota town where it isn't unusual to hear Norwegian spoken in the local coffee shop, but usually I sound as bland as those folks on the Weather Channel try to.


We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 8:51 AM

SAMURAIX47


Quote:

Originally posted by rklenseth:
Who puts mayo on fries anyways? That is disgusting. Ketchup only. I remember when I went to a trip to Virginia once (I live in Upstate New York) and ordered a hamburger and they put gorram mayo on it. I mean who puts mayo on a hamburger. Everyone knows that only ketchup and maybe some mustard belongs on a hamburger.



Well here in New England, or more precisely, the Rhode Island/Southeastern Massachusetts (Fall River) area... people put Malt Vinegar on French Fries. There is vinegar in ketchup, so there is a similar taste but without the tomatoes.

As to what condiments are best for a Hamburger, that is as arguable as what you put on a hot dog. Abbott and Costello did a thing on Mustard or Ketchup on Hot Dogs in one of their movies.

Have you ever tried a thin spread of peanut butter on a hamburger? This a personal favorite and not something regional.

The ideal thing is to keep the condiments seperate, and not allow them to mix. If they mix they can get drippy and you don't want that on your lap. Mayo goes on the upper bun with the lettuce and tomato to keep it from touching the hamburger. Put the Ketchup on the bottom bun so the meat rests right on it. I don't usually go for mustard.

Some other local favorite good eats:

Coffee milk - pour Autocrat/Eclipse coffee syrup into a large glass of milk, stir, drink!

Clam Cakes and Chowder

Chourice meat and Chips (portuguese sausage and fries)

Jaymes

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 9:01 AM

SAMURAIX47


WORD UP!

These are the most common spelling differences I see between British and American English.

realize = realise

color = colour

specter = spectre

And pronounciation is really what sets us apart.

Amer.
speciality --> spe shul tee

Brit.
speciality --> spe see al i tee


Jaymes

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 9:24 AM

WREN


Quote:

Originally posted by Grounded:
Quote:

Well I just checked my Oxford dictionary and the plural is -oes



It can be spelt as either tomatos or tomatoes. The traditional way is tomatos, but most dictionaries use the other spellings.

On the subject of tomatos here is a site that may amuse you:

http://fishster.com/tomato/tomatoshoot.htm

Also, that bit of a male is a nob (which is also the spelling for a member of the upper classes). A knob is something you find on a door.

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 10:08 AM

SIGMANUNKI


Quote:

Originally posted by Gunhand:
Definately different cultures between Canada and the US as well. I've been to Canada several times and they had no problem figuring out I wasn't a local just because of the way I spoke. Then they'd start speaking more slowly, I guess to match me, to which I had to say,"Just 'cause I talk slow don't mean I'm stupid."


I've heard of studies that state that we speak faster than you guys and I've experimentally verified it for myself while down there.


Quote:

Originally posted by Gunhand:
We got even with him though when we told him on no uncertain terms that you do not put mayo on fries. Everyone knows ya dip them in a chocolate shake.


Chocolate shake? Doesn't really sound appetizing to me. But, I never really got the mayo thing either. For myself, I use one of these combinations:
1) Malt Vinegar
2) Ketchup
3) Ketchup and Vinegar
4) Gravy and cheese curds (mmmmm )

I would never mix any of those combinations those.

----
"Canada being mad at you is like Mr. Rogers throwing a brick through your window." -Jon Stewart, The Daily Show

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 10:11 AM

SIGMANUNKI


Quote:

Originally posted by Kellaina:
There was a CBC documentary a while ago that attributed the difference between Canadian and American speech to the way we pronounce vowels when they are followed by certain consonants (or something like that) and also by the fact that we tend to raise our voices at the end of sentences while Americans lower theirs.


Do you remember the name of it. I'd like to see if I could find it

----
"Canada being mad at you is like Mr. Rogers throwing a brick through your window." -Jon Stewart, The Daily Show

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 10:32 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave


Quote:

Originally posted by SigmaNunki
Chocolate shake? Doesn't really sound appetizing to me. But, I never really got the mayo thing either.

Obviously you don't know what a Chocolate shake is or you wouldn't even alude to a comparison with mayonnaise.

Chocolate shake: In a blender, combine
Vanilla Ice cream
fudge sauce
half cup or so of milk.

Creme de menthe syrup is ENTIRELY optional.

Goodness, I bet you don't know what a Dairy Queen is either then do you? Oh you poor CHILD!!

We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 10:59 AM

SIGMANUNKI


Quote:

Originally posted by Channain:
Quote:

Originally posted by SigmaNunki
Chocolate shake? Doesn't really sound appetizing to me. But, I never really got the mayo thing either.


Obviously you don't know what a Chocolate shake is or you wouldn't even alude to a comparison with mayonnaise.

Chocolate shake: In a blender, combine
Vanilla Ice cream
fudge sauce
half cup or so of milk.

Creme de menthe syrup is ENTIRELY optional.

Goodness, I bet you don't know what a Dairy Queen is either then do you? Oh you poor CHILD!!

We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922


Indeed I do! I definitely enjoy a chocolate shake from time to time. Just don't understand the dipping fries in thing. Doesn't really appeal to me. Same as the mayo thing doesn't either.

But, when I go to Dairy Queen I enjoy the wounderful goodness of the Oreo Blizzard, mmmmm I saw commercials that they have cheese cake ones now too. I think I may try one. That is when there's no snow on the ground

----
"Canada being mad at you is like Mr. Rogers throwing a brick through your window." -Jon Stewart, The Daily Show

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 11:33 AM

MISGUIDED BY VOICES


Quote:

Originally posted by CapnRahn:
Here is another 'linguistic' difference ...

When in England don't call the bit on the faucet that turns on the water "A Knob" ... trust me! Faucet 'knobs' are called 'handwheels'. A knob is the end bit of anatomy particular to males!



Just to confuse, we have knobs of butter and doorknobs - we are a very context sensitive peoples, but be not afraid.

Not even getting into the fanny pack and fags arguments....

"I threw up on your bed"

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 11:52 AM

TRACER


lol

quite a nice discussion
lol i notice we also didn't get into the faggot debate.

aye the fanny pack cracked me up no end, see we have our differences, still not sure about the whole "Americans speaking american",
as far as i'm aware its still english...it just seems like for every 's' we have, the americans give it a 'z' usually causes the most fights in scrabble..probably why it dissappeared.
I think its a conspiracy has to be, scrabble has to be the reason why there are so many 'z's and 'u's everywhere. People in the beautiful game were having problems with their spare z's and u's and well before you know it the dictionary got broke.

has there been a real period in history where America decided to spell as well as say things different?
what's fibre between friends?

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 12:46 PM

IAMJACKSUSERNAME

Well, I'm all right. - Mal


I learned British English spelling in school, but I usually much prefer the USA spelling: color to colour, realize/realise, center/centre (but I don't like the USA "meter" as distance), dialog/dialogue, archeology/archaeology... USA punctuation is illogical tho.
--
I am Jack's username
FTL in Firefly? < http://jack.p5.org.uk/ftl-firefly.en.html>
Support our serial killers.

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 1:51 PM

GUNRUNNER


Ohh here is probably the strangest one yet:
US - Brit
Lieutenant - Leftenant

Swaping an F for a I and then trasposing the E???

The Firefly CCG Web Site:
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/Bllm119/firefly_ccg_web_site.htm
My Other Site:
http://www.geocities.com/billds9/

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 1:58 PM

RELFEXIVE


Quote:

Originally posted by GunRunner:
Ohh here is probably the strangest one yet:
US - Brit
Lieutenant - Leftenant

Swaping an F for a I and then trasposing the E???



Ah, now what really makes this confusing is that it is spelt the same, but pronounced different.

So we say leftenant but spell it lieutenant.

Bends the brain a little, eh?

Mal: "We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so... very... pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."

NOTIFY: N   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 2:18 PM

GUNRUNNER


Quote:

Originally posted by RelFexive:
Quote:

Originally posted by GunRunner:
Ohh here is probably the strangest one yet:
US - Brit
Lieutenant - Leftenant

Swaping an F for a I and then trasposing the E???



Ah, now what really makes this confusing is that it is spelt the same, but pronounced different.

So we say leftenant but spell it lieutenant.

Bends the brain a little, eh?

Mal: "We're not gonna die. We can't die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are so... very... pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die."



Oh the confusion has just begun, I know Brits who spell it leftenant!!

The Firefly CCG Web Site:
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/Bllm119/firefly_ccg_web_site.htm
My Other Site:
http://www.geocities.com/billds9/

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 2:42 PM

ZORIAH


Some things that really used to bug me *wink*:

The pronunciation 'erb' instead of herb. Is it one of them french thingies?

Aluminum instead of Aluminium.

The pronunciation of Poinsettia as 'ponsetta' and foliage as 'foilage' or 'folage'.

Cookies vs biscuits
Biscuits vs scones
scones vs griddlecakes.....

I used to get the strangest looks when I wanted milk in my coffee not cream LOL. ("You mean you want a latte?" "No, I just want some milk to go in it, not that half and half stuff." "But won't that make it cold? Do you want an iced coffee?" "No just a little bit of milk please." hehehe



And I highly recommend hot chips/fries smothered in garlic mayonnaise. Totally delicious!
Also a big fan of malt vinegar on me fish and chips.


NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 2:45 PM

GUNHAND


The longer this thread goes on, the more it resembles an Eddie Izard skit I swear to God.



~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
"Oh hey, I got an idea. Instead of us hanging
around playing art critic till I get pinched by
the Man, how's about we move away from this
eerie-ass piece of work and get on with our
increasingly eerie-ass day, how's that?"

My eerie-ass website:
http://gunhandsfirefly.homestead.com/Index.html

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 3:14 PM

INSIGHT SPINNER


Quote:

Originally posted by Gunhand:
Quote:

Originally posted by GunRunner:





There are some places in the US where people use completely different idioms and whatnot....

My eerie-ass website:
http://gunhandsfirefly.homestead.com/Index.html



Tis true, Gunhand. Here in Maryland there is an island that was very isolated and they speak with idioms that are much closer to Brittish English than to American English. Hey, who doesn't love your first trip to England when someone offers you a fag? .... that's a cigarette.

insight spinner
__________

Just an object. It doesn't mean what you think....

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 3:15 PM

INSIGHT SPINNER


Quote:

Originally posted by PurpleBelly:
Quote:

Originally posted by rklenseth:

Who puts mayo on fries anyways?



The Belgians, who make the best fried chipped potatoes in the world.



And serve them up by the platter full-- free refills!! a teenagers dream!


insight spinner
__________

Just an object. It doesn't mean what you think....

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

Thursday, May 13, 2004 3:32 PM

INSIGHT SPINNER


Quote:

Originally posted by Gunhand:
We got even with him though when we told him on no uncertain terms that you do not put mayo on fries. Everyone knows ya dip them in a chocolate shake.



Oh, wait now!! Be still my foolish heart!! Where did you learn about dippin' fries in a chocolate shake? That was the bomb when I was growing up (in LA, CA)!!

Ummm...and potato chips are really tasty on bologne and cheese sandwiches.

Which reminds me: fries = chips



insight spinner
__________

Just an object. It doesn't mean what you think....

NOTIFY: Y   |  REPLY  |  REPLY WITH QUOTE  |  TOP  |  HOME  

YOUR OPTIONS

NEW POSTS TODAY

USERPOST DATE

OTHER TOPICS

DISCUSSIONS
Canada Getting It's 1st Total Solar Eclipse In 40 Years
Wed, March 6, 2024 19:49 - 1 posts
What Song Are You Listening To, California Dreamin'
Thu, February 29, 2024 07:48 - 148 posts
S.I. go Bye Bye?
Tue, January 23, 2024 14:29 - 13 posts
EMMYS ratings tank
Sun, January 21, 2024 02:21 - 9 posts
What happened to music?
Thu, January 18, 2024 21:13 - 61 posts
ESPN stole Emmys for 13 years
Tue, January 16, 2024 21:01 - 4 posts
Your essential top ten music albums.
Fri, January 12, 2024 12:45 - 31 posts
Fukushima Nuclear Reactor Status
Tue, September 12, 2023 09:30 - 128 posts
SpaceX
Wed, August 23, 2023 13:07 - 7 posts
Special Branch XIII: Soulless
Mon, August 21, 2023 16:59 - 30 posts
Hollywood star whackers, Dave Chapelle: 'I was paid $50-million by for gay sex'
Sat, August 19, 2023 05:49 - 19 posts
Marvel comics continues the long march to destroying an industry. ( Get work, go broke )
Thu, August 10, 2023 13:36 - 5 posts

FFF.NET SOCIAL