Re: What are the basic differences between British and American English?


Nathan Sanders wrote:
In article <1153194307.884746.37680@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
benlizro@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:

Peter T. Daniels wrote:
echoingmemories wrote:

What makes you think Americans don't say "car"?

Was "auto" ever in ordinary spoken use (anywhere) for "car"? I'm sure
I've never used it, but it might have become obsolete before I was
born.

It's currently in use in the US in some fixed expressions, such as
"auto parts", "auto shop", "auto repair", "auto mechanic", "auto
insurance", etc., though many seem to be in free variation with their
"car" counterparts (but definitely not all!).

Yep, and "grand theft auto" and so on -- these were the phrases that
came to mind.
(I did useta live there.) But I find it hard to imagine anyone saying
"I just got a new auto" or "My dog got run over by an auto".

Ross Clark

.

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