Things I’ve Learned About The Good Old U S of A From Watching Films And Telly

[Patience]

5) It makes me smile when I hear the British say; Aluminum, Privacy, Vitamin, and schedule.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/aluminium

But we pronounce it correctly - you guys just lost an 'i'!

And it makes me laugh when you say these words too. And don't get me started on 'fanny packs.'!

 

[cornflakegirl]

Herbs. Why can't Americans pronounce that?

 

[cornflakegirl]

I heard Graeme Garden talking about them bringing back ISIHAC (without a fixed chairman) the other day - and I'm sure that he said there was going to be a telly version too. But that may just have been a nightmare.

Apparently, Humph's last ever show was recorded, and was broadcast on BBC Four on 13 September. It's available on iPlayer till 20 September. Not sure how I missed that!

 

[kgkev]

You don't say Sodum or magnesum or even aquarum. Why would you say aluminum?

 

[cornflakegirl]

Because that's what Humphrey Davy called it.

 

[kgkev]

Sir Humphry made a bit of a mess of naming this new element, at first spelling it alumium (this was in 1807) then changing it to aluminum, and finally settling on aluminium in 1812.

Fair enough.

 

[Patience]

Shucks. *hangs head in shame* So depending on which way youlook at it we are all wrong! Or all confused!

 

[cornflakegirl]

Nah. The International Chemical whatsit has aluminium as the official standard spelling. So we're right. They're just not quite as wrong as it first appears

 

[cornflakegirl]

Fanny pack :snurk:

 

[RoryA]

They're just not quite as wrong as it first appears

Not wrong - just quaintly old-fashioned. I might start calling it alumium from now on...