Airplane/Aeroplane?

[Eric Mc]

Slightly OT but I have noticed that the vast bulk of PHers seem to use the American "airplane" rather than the British "aeroplane".

[Hawmaws]

And "license" when they mean "licence".

And "gotten"

I blame the internet.

[PaulHogan]

Eric Mc said:

Slightly OT but I have noticed that the vast bulk of PHers seem to use the American "airplane" rather than the British "aeroplane".

Does it matter? Which is correct anyway?

[AnotherClarkey]

I know it shouldn't and I am perfectly happy to accept that variants will inevitably develop but 'airplane' really sets my teeth on edge. I feel the same way about 'racecar', 'sailboat', 'rowboat' etc. etc.

[Richjam]

Well aeroplane originates from France and airplane is North American so neither are really British.;)

[RDE]

Just say 'aircraft', then you've covered all the bases. In the same way I would describe any marine transport as a 'vessel', for fear of getting tangled up in the "this isn't a submarine, so don't call it a boat" type of conversation.

[andy_s]

Or 'plane.

[pip t]

'Train station' is the one that gets my goat.......It's a RAILWAY station!!! Or even just 'Station.' Petty I know, but it really grates me!

[Dr Jekyll]

And some people think they get 'electric bills' instead of 'electricity bills'.

[Flintstone]

Dr Jekyll said:

And some people think they get 'electric bills' instead of 'electricity bills'.

Well if you crossed an electric eel with a duck...

[PHmember]

I get annoyed by 'accelerator' & 'Brake' when clearly it should be the Mr Burns inspired 'Velocerator' & 'Deceleratrix'.

[Blue Meanie]

Hawmaws said:

And "license" when they mean "licence".

And "gotten"

I blame the internet.

Gotten is a word... Look it up.

[Waynester]

"Never, NEVER, call it a plane, it´s an Aeroplane Bader..."


I know, not quite the same..

[Kitchski]

PHmember said:

I get annoyed by 'accelerator' & 'Brake' when clearly it should be the Mr Burns inspired 'Velocerator' & 'Deceleratrix'.

Well played sir!

[Simpo Two]

One wonders if our American cousines call the moveable surfaces on tailplanes 'lifts' instead of elevators...

Oh, and a common one from the hard of reading: 'airolons' instead of ailerons.

[Flintstone]

Simpo Two said:

...cousines...

Is that like a posh cousin? Or one who's a good cook?

[Simpo Two]

Bah.

15:40, Flintstone to serve...

[Hawmaws]

Blue Meanie said:

Hawmaws said:

And "license" when they mean "licence".

And "gotten"

I blame the internet.

Gotten is a word... Look it up.

Didn't say it wasn't a word. Just jars on my ears whenever I hear it.

[Blue Meanie]

Hawmaws said:

Blue Meanie said:

Hawmaws said:

And "license" when they mean "licence".

And "gotten"

I blame the internet.

Gotten is a word... Look it up.

Didn't say it wasn't a word. Just jars on my ears whenever I hear it.

You can tell when someone uses an 's' in 'License' when they say it?

[SamHH]

pip t said:

'Train station' is the one that gets my goat.......It's a RAILWAY station!!! Or even just 'Station.' Petty I know, but it really grates me!

What's wrong with train station?