Donald Trump's visit to us is imminent. I await with bated breath what he will inflict on us, accidentally or otherwise!
Now I am no fan of the man. I admit to laughing at some of the things he says and does, but there is no doubt he has a lot of America behind him. He appears to have a charisma that inspires a lot of people, and also he appears to speak the language that people want to hear. He very often says it how he sees it, and really doesn't seem to care who he upsets. Donald Trump is also passionate about America and that resonates with an incredible amount of people. Maybe that is what we need here? Someone who feels so strongly about our country that he or she fights for us, rather than tries to pander to what other countries want?
Still, this man does court controversy wherever he goes. People have already marched against his visit, and will no doubt march against him while he is here visiting. I do feel we all have the right to say how we feel, but I also feel it should be done with respect. Bandying that 'baby Trump' balloon around is ridiculing and disrespectful, however you may feel about the man. But then I feel respect is important whoever you may be, whether rich, poor, famous or just someone like me!
Anyway with Donald Trump's visit almost here I did get to see a newspaper use a few 'Americanism' today. It was deliberate, but what can I say? Some of the words they use for things we have are rather strange indeed. I mean how about a 'fanny pack'? Guess what that is? A 'bum bag'. It seems rather an eyebrow raising American name for it, but then maybe a fanny means something different over there! Egg plant? Why do the Americans call an aubergine that? I suppose it could be considered egg shaped but it's purple! Cookie? Now here in Britain a cookie is a particular type of round flat sometimes chewy biscuit with chocolate chips in, or raisins, or such like. In America a cookie is a biscuit not a type of biscuit, so is a cracker. A cracker here is generally savoury. Suspenders? Well Americans call braces that. I am not sure how to explain to Americans what we consider suspenders are, but suffice to say it's part of a certain type of underwear! Jumper? Would you believe that's what they call a pinafore dress? A jumper or pullover in America is called a sweater. That could cause confusion if you want to buy a jumper in America then. Closet? That's a toilet in English and a wardrobe in America. That could be very awkward if you get that wrong.
Some of the words American's use are easy for us to understand as they make total sense. Parking lot. Potato chips. Pacifier. Wash cloth. Vacation. Dog house. Oven mitt. Dish towel. All easy enough to interpret, but it could be interesting when Mr Donald Trump chats to the Queen. I foresee a few interesting eyebrow wiggles happening, let alone scope for misinterpretation. I wish I was a fly on the wall at the meeting...……….
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/usage/british-and-american-terms
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