We also speak American quite well - “rental” (Hire car in UK), “Rubber” (an eraser in UK), “Half-bath” (a toilet in UK). “Jumper” (a jersey in UK) “pumps” (tennis shoes in northern England) Purse/pocket-book (handbag or notebook in UK) “gasoline” (petrol) ….the list is very long///almost seems endless. But what I don’t understand is why when I’m in the USA people don’t translate back to English. If we ask for a “hire car” we get a blank look. Yet if an American says “Rout[e]” (we can work out that they are not talking about the consequence of an easy battle but the route) etc

We spend more time in the library and writing because being a reserved people (except when drunk and rowdy) we are not such good orators as our American cousins. Something to do with us not having “show and tell” in early schooling perhaps? And because we are told to be seen but not heard as children.

We are strangely pedantic fellows though – which leads me by my very snooty English nature to point out (sorry..we say that a lot too) there are no Assistant Professors in England …just Lecturers, Readers and Professors.

Are we smarter …no. Remember, you guys own half the patents in the world.