Re: British and US English

Posted by Bookworm on October 20, 2004

In Reply to: British and US English posted by James Briggs on October 20, 2004

: British English is sometimes different from US English. In some cases the reason can be seen in the use of German based expressions in the US - British 'waistcoat' is US 'vest' - just the same as in German. Similarly, British 'vest' is 'undershirt' in the US - 'unterhempt' in German. There are other similar examples.
: However, the alphabet is said in much the same sort of way in Britain and Germany, partcularly the last letter - 'zed' in both languages. Where did the US 'zee' come from?

I don't have an answer, but your post reminded me of an old joke wherein a paragraph, written standard English, is rewritten to sound entirely German.

I believe the French call it 'zed' as well.

• Re: British and US English H knowles 20/October/04
  • Zee/zed R. Berg 20/October/04
    • Zzzzzz! Henry 21/October/04
      • Vote 1 for Izzard Lotg 22/October/04