Challenge of the Day (1 Viewer)

[ColinEssex]

Why can't Americans say the word 'aluminium' correctly?
Col

 

[AccessBlaster]

Why can't Americans say the word 'aluminium' correctly?
Col

Maybe we do?

 

[ColinEssex]

Maybe we do?

'Aloominum' is not correct.

OK, one that always puzzles us Brits is 'Kansas' is pronounced 'Kansas' yet stick an 'ar' in front of it and 'Arkansas' suddenly becomes 'Arkinsaw', why not 'Ar Kansas'? Or call 'Kansas' 'Kinsaw'? Seems weird to us.
Col

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Sorry to burst your bubble, Col, but we DO say ALUMINUM correctly. As a PhD chemist, I can tell you that Aluminum IS a correct spelling. However, it is not the only way to spell that element's name. Turns out ALUMINIUM is also an accepted spelling. Here's an explanation.

Is it Aluminum or Aluminium? A Fascinating Spelling History

Which spelling is correct, aluminum or aluminium? Both are correct, and this article explains their history to settle the aluminum vs. aluminium debate.

www.gabrian.com

Now, as to Arkansas, turns out that the French named a lot of things using French transliteration of native American names. So Arkansas is the French plural spelling of the tribe name, and in French, through the process of elision, that final "S" is silent.

General Archives - Day Translations Blog

www.daytranslations.com

So for Aluminum vs. Aluminium, blame Webster, he of dictionary fame in the USA. For Kansas vs. Arkansas, blame the French.

 

[ColinEssex]

Thanks Doc. We have dozens of other examples in the UK. It just enriches the joy of language.
Col

 

[jdraw]

Good point, Pat. I wonder what the role/duty of the "modern teacher" is.

Schoolmarm:
A female teacher, especially one seen to be old-fashioned and extremely severe and strict.

 

[Cotswold]

They seem to be able to disagree with others but you can't disagree with "them".

That's the woke brigade for you, offended at everything. Pull yourselves together I say to the lot of 'em.

My guess is that they hadn't a clue, lost and wallowing about. I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't change the batch file hoping it would make a difference. They'd spent eight man days from Thursday, plus another dozen hours on Saturday basically punching clouds. Makes you wonder how they keep their jobs. Maybe they just rely on others to make them look good and those guys were away for a few days?

 

[murphybridget]

Don't forget the British press and TV, any chance to slag off the yanks is headline news, especially if the wife of Prince Harry is around.

I agree, over the years I've known dozens of Americans, even worked with a few. Never had a problem and I would say 95% of them are incredibly polite and friendly.
America and American ways have always been a source of amusement to us Brits but in a nice way. For example, when I was little I couldn't understand why American cars had a Fender - why have a guitar in a car?
American words? Yes, the complex word 'tap' is much easier if pronounced 'faucet '. Why do you say 'horseback riding'? Is it because without the word 'horseback' Americans have trouble knowing where to sit. It's like 'sidewalk' remove the 'side' bit and Americans wander all over the road.
I could go on especially about your choices of Presidents, but I won't as this just a lighthearted post, no offence intended.
Suffice to say, Americans have given us many fab things over the years and some strange things. But overall, Americans and the USA are good and I have no problem with them, even if they seem weird to us.
Col

It sounds like you're finding solace and joy in the simple pleasures of life, like the beauty of spring and the resilience of nature. With so much negativity in the world, it's understandable that you'd prefer to focus on the positive and meaningful aspects of your own life, like spending time with your wife and enjoying the free bus rides. I guess I'm still young but I find the simple pleasures in life more satisfying.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

How about dropped "t's"? These are also an artifact of using French words in English.

valet
bidet

Just caught this one...

Those t's are dropped because of elision as well. The t would be pronounced in French if the next word began with a vowel. If I recall this correctly, the four consonants in "careful" (c, r, f, and l) are the only ones for which elision doesn't apply. (But it HAS been a while since I studied any of this, and I rarely used it after college except for the Cajun variants with my wife's people.)

 

[murphybridget]

Don't forget the British press and TV, any chance to slag off the yanks is headline news, especially if the wife of Prince Harry is around.

I agree, over the years I've known dozens of Americans, even worked with a few. Never had a problem and I would say 95% of them are incredibly polite and friendly.
America and American ways have always been a source of amusement to us Brits but in a nice way. For example, when I was little I couldn't understand why American cars had a Fender - why have a guitar in a car?
American words? Yes, the complex word 'tap' is much easier if pronounced 'faucet '. Why do you say 'horseback riding'? Is it because without the word 'horseback' Americans have trouble knowing where to sit. It's like 'sidewalk' remove the 'side' bit and Americans wander all over the road.
I could go on especially about your choices of Presidents, but I won't as this just a lighthearted post, no offence intended.
Suffice to say, Americans have given us many fab things over the years and some strange things. But overall, Americans and the USA are good and I have no problem with them, even if they seem weird to us.
Col

As an amateur musician, I find your observations quite amusing! It's always interesting to hear different perspectives on American culture and language quirks. Cheers to the USA and its unique contributions!