That's funny! Some countries have actual language policies to keep English and American words and expressions out. But they surely have better acronyms!

Americans have NO manners?

i didn’t get that impression, but rather that Americanisms do tend to catch on.

That is hilarious!! I'm sure we make their eyes roll constantly. I remember getting the "can vs. may" speech when I was in grade school. Not that I use them correctly now in my old age.

Maybe the King’s english is only for countries with kings.

Knowing the issue I thought it was funny. Get people started on how to use a fork and knife and stand back!

I did say 'some of you'. Perhaps the joke is lost on others.

I enjoyed it, floral.

I grew up speaking funny. Fringe, vest, woolies, boot, give it me back, braces, Macs, swim costume….

It’s all good.

Yeah, trying too hard… and it bites you in the butt.

I think maybe I won't risk British humour here again. Suffice to say that the entire point of the joke is that it is against ourselves.

QED

Oh don't not just because one person doesn't get it.

Every... single... one...

SMH

“Unfunny is unfunny. And funny is funny.”

Well, no. ”Funny” isn’t a hard and fast thing. Different cultures find different things funny, and even within a given culture different individuals will find different things funny.

I don’t generally get Asian humour, but clearly Asians find it hilarious. I have friends who find particular comedians hysterically funny and I don’t. Even my DH and I don’t always laugh at the same things.

So, ”I didn’t find it funny” is fine. ”It’s just not funny” is not.

Reversal : As newlyweds,we made plans with another young couple, Yank husband, Brit wife. As we were parting, she said.., ” Okay. we’ll knock you up in the morning.” We laughrd as the husband explained it was British slang for come over, Recalling that now, hss me thinking it may have been the only time hearing it. Floral?

I looked at others of Stephen Collins’ cartoons at the link. I had various reactions but the one I really liked was 2026 predictions with Darren the dog.

HAHAHA. omg

My Brit husband and I are always having a go at each other's English. This is hilarious and I sent it to him immediately.

He is horrified that Brits now say "apartment" instead of "flat." I mean - this is a hill he wants to die on! hahahaha

Die on the hill about saying flat. That sounds poetic.

martinca, I think the origin of 'knock up" was to awaken someone from sleep. In the old Industrial Revolution days, before alarm clocks, factory workers needed to get up and get to work on time. Not like farmers who could start working whenever. There were people called "knocker uppers" whose job was to walk through villages and knock on doors of people who'd arranged for the service.

When we lived on the Continent, we were in a location that had some British people we got to know. I found a British-American dictionary in a local book shop and it was fun to go through it with folks who'd originated on the other side of the Channel. That was a few decades ago and language does evolve.

Edit to add:

I've noticed some British expressions describe what's physically happening. "Knock up" starteed that way before broadening its use. To "ring" or "ring up" is to make a phone call, a meaning that's clear but not used much on this side of the pond. A "chin wag" is a conversation. Et cetera

The trap door recruitment strategy made me laugh out loud !

Thank you and do post more as they strike your fancy ! I love The Guardian, I even pay for it :))

They are one of the few news outlets who still offer comments and the insightful comments and wit often come through marvelously ! Marina Hyde is soooo good

I'm learning from the Mick Herron novels as well as my BritBox - it's hilarious when Hastings has to explain to Poirot