We like to think of ourselves as intrinsically linked with America –
sharing a language, a love of food, a penchant for bad TV and a
strangely narcissistic obsession with discussing our own
idiosyncrasies. We work quite well together – but what defines our
differences?
Erin Moore ponders Britishisms and Americanisms in her
latest book, That’s Not English, and casts a fond sideways glance at
the quirks that mark us as cousins, rather than brothers, to America.
Having grown up ‘across the pond’ and settled here in old Blighty in
her thirties, Moore applies her wealth of experience in both countries
to document the superficial differences in our use of a shared
language which tickle (and often grate on) us both.
A guide to theEnglish language could be a very dry affair and yet Moore approaches the subject matter with a knowing smile and bags of wit, making this a very intelligent, yet light, little read.
