I live outside the US and the UK. I just started reading a book titled "Speak English like an American". The book teaches numerous idioms but I don't know if these idioms are usable outside the the US.
Are there any characteristics that help a learner to recognize the origin of an idiom?
As an example, is there a process I can follow to determine which of these idioms are American, English or Australian in origin?
- go belly-up
- give someone the ax
- sharp as a tack
- top dollar
- gung ho
- not give a hoot
- stand a chance
Best Answer
The rule of thumb is, I think, that the Brits are much more likely to be familiar with American idioms than the other way round. We have been relentlessly exposed to them since the war; Murricans have been exposed to ours only if they are fans of Monty Python, Blackadder and The Office, which not all of them are.
For example, my own language is infiltrated by baseball metaphors that I do not actually understand: home run, left field, strike out etc. in addition to the obvious ball-park. An American using cricketing metaphors like sticky wicket, knocked for six or stumped, I don't think so.
You probably know the classic traps. British smokers in the US ought not say that they are going out for a fag. Do not invite hungry Leftpondians to look for a chippy. (Personal experience there) A British girl on a transatlantic ship who wished to make an early start asked my handsome Canadian friend to come and knock her up at eight o'clock, and, as a gentleman, he obliged....