jmooney Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 Because that is the way the American version of English is spelled. It was a deliberate decision made by Noah Webster (he of Webster's Dictionary fame) to make that change, he was really very keen on distancing the US from England. Before the advent of print and dictionaries there was very little standardisation on spelling on either side of the pond. Or standardization. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 It`s interesting to note that Webster appears to have taken the decision to butcher the English language entirely off his own back. But for his misguided efforts Americans might still spell correctly. I think I know the reason why U.S. weights and measures are fractionally smaller than their Imperial counterparts. It makes everything American look bigger,wider, faster or heavier, on paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_R Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 (edited) Only the pint is different surely, in being 16 fluid ounces as opposed to the UK 20 oz. As far as I can recall all the others are the same. As for the UK pint, that only settled on 20 oz comparatively recently, for many years both the 16 and the 20 were in common use. Regarding the language, that has changed constantly on both sides, much of the English spoken in the USA is as it was 200 years ago and it is on this side that things had shifted more until recently. Edited June 6, 2009 by john_r Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullbore Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 My neighbours are loud and obnoxious. Now I know how Canada feels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeinVA Posted June 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 My neighbours are loud and obnoxious. Now I know how Canada feels Do you ever smile god damn it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullbore Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 Do you ever smile god damn it!! Oh yes copiously! Usually when there are no Americans around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullbore Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 Only the pint is different surely, in being 16 fluid ounces as opposed to the UK 20 oz. As far as I can recall all the others are the same. As for the UK pint, that only settled on 20 oz comparatively recently, for many years both the 16 and the 20 were in common use. Regarding the language, that has changed constantly on both sides, much of the English spoken in the USA is as it was 200 years ago and it is on this side that things had shifted more until recently. No there are many differences between American measurements and UK imperial, pints gallons, miles and the measurement that makes 2 contestants from the boonies a world championship Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 (edited) GOD BLESS AMERICA! 'cos you'd be Germans without them! Edited June 6, 2009 by Floating Chamber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_R Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 No there are many differences between American measurements and UK imperial, pints gallons, miles and the measurement that makes 2 contestants from the boonies a world championship Well the gallon is of course based on the pint so that goes without saying, but the miles are the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boromir Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 Well the gallon is of course based on the pint so that goes without saying, but the miles are the same. Nope American Miles are longer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throdgrain Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 U.S gallon is smaller than a UK one, Im a Jeep owner, take it from me, I know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_R Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 Nope American Miles are longer Nope, you are out of date if you believe that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeinVA Posted June 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Oh yes copiously! Usually when there are no Americans around Right, so when i come for a visit you will be ****** off for two weeks I guess we can use this as a guide to tell when you really do like a bloke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeinVA Posted June 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 U.S gallon is smaller than a UK one, Im a Jeep owner, take it from me, I know So when i buy my gallon of shine i am not really getting a gallon? Damn it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullbore Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 GOD BLESS AMERICA! 'cos you'd be Germans without them! How do you get that? And you're purportedly from the sane part of England? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullbore Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Right, so when i come for a visit you will be ****** off for two weeks I guess we can use this as a guide to tell when you really do like a bloke Now Lee, you know I won't be able to smile wide enough when you come for a visit, you know you are welcome anytime, but then again, you're a Norwegian mongrel, so you don't count as a proper Sherman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeinVA Posted June 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Now Lee, you know I won't be able to smile wide enough when you come for a visit, you know you are welcome anytime, but then again, you're a Norwegian mongrel, so you don't count as a proper Sherman Be off with ya then you overly friendly curmudgeon Now, if only i could get my internal Mic to work on Skype Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullbore Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Be off with ya then you overly friendly curmudgeon Now, if only i could get my internal Mic to work on Skype You curmudgeon you, and here's me off out with the 1000 yard 17 hmr. Be nice to speak to you agin soon bro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeinVA Posted June 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 You curmudgeon you, and here's me off out with the 1000 yard 17 hmr. Be nice to speak to you agin soon bro It has right wide open *** of late.. I did Pm Davie, and Shot shot the other night, Robert while i supposed to be working, but the bottom line is i need a new Mic.. Michelle has got me busy in the yard with the landscaping, we planted 20 new perennials yesterday and to day she wants me to build another work bench in the garage. One her height so she can work in the garage She is a crazy lass, but a good one no question.. Did i ever tell you boys that i am so good in bed i scream my own name Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullbore Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 It has right wide open *** of late.. I did Pm Davie, and Shot shot the other night, Robert while i supposed to be working, but the bottom line is i need a new Mic.. Michelle has got me busy in the yard with the landscaping, we planted 20 new perennials yesterday and to day she wants me to build another work bench in the garage. One her height so she can work in the garage She is a crazy lass, but a good one no question.. Did i ever tell you boys that i am so good in bed i scream my own name I had heard that when you have sex you are mostly on your own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boromir Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Nope, you are out of date if you believe that. 1 nm(UK) = 1.00063 nm(US) nm = Nautical Miles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_R Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Who said anything at all about Nautical Miles, which in any case it is only the UK who differs from the rest of the world? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeinVA Posted June 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 I had heard that when you have sex you are mostly on your own I remember the first time i had sex? I was alone, and scared Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom1184 Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 (edited) Just read this thread from start to finish, FINALLY got to the end. Lee, you are a legend mate. A true honourary Brit. Keep up the good work pal!!! Tom Edited June 7, 2009 by tom1184 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_R Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 There is much to be learned from each side to be honest, and much is misunderstood. I forget who it was, but someone did say we are two great nations separated by a common language. As for my own point of view, hard to pin it down to be frank. I am split between the two countries in many ways, my Dad is American and my Mum is British. If it was not for a fire in their apartment while I was still in the womb I would have been born in Philly. They lost everything in the fire, Dad was between jobs at the time, so almost in panic he returned to the US Navy for a couple more tours, and she flew back to stay with her Mum here in UK and that is why I was born here. I was back in the USA within weeks, but those early few years are just too long ago and I don't remember them. Once my sister came along the decision was made to stay in the UK, and eventually my Dad left the Navy and settled here. I have been back so many times I cannot recall, both for family visits and for work, and seen 39 of the 50 States. I even married someone who is also half US and half Brit. I have a huge affinity for the USA, but if I am honest, if I could choose anywhere in the world to live, on an unlimited budget, it would be neither UK nor USA. If I ever did settle in the US, I guess family would draw me towards the East Coast, but I am not sure where I would choose other than that. Both countries are very self-contradictory, with so many good intentions that fall flat. Both peoples are extremely varied from one area to another, despite how different the two countries are in size. I have US friends who cannot believe there is more than one UK accent, and are stunned when I point out the difference between accents even from one side of London to another. Both countries are very much media driven, of course the US is more so, but the UK is catching up rather too fast. There have been some great comments in this thread, maybe we should have one that helps dispel misconceptions about the Brits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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