The Clean Chatroom

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That was mean of them!

You're a very interesting mixture!

I spell it "color" and it's also taught that way. I like the simplified spellings anyways.

In the US I'm sure it is. In the UK it isn't.

Sometimes I have pretend, playful arguments about it, and tease Americans about their "incorrect" spelling and let them tease me about mine, but it's all in fun. Neither are right or wrong - just different.

Actually, US English stayed more true to original English. Those who emigrated to the US seemed to retain the original words far better - it's just that they developed funny accents.

Over here, we used to spell the controversial words "honor" and "color" etc in the "American" way. We also used to say "gotten" instead of "got." You may silence any Brit who tries to argue that it's always been spelt "got" by pointing out the old saying "ill-gotten gains," which is still in use in British English today. Also, it makes no sense for the verb "get" to suddenly become irregular when "forget" and "beget" are both changed to "forgotten" and "begotten." Why should "get" not remain a regular verb and follow this pattern as well, and become "gotten?"

Nontheless, I am a Brit, and I talk and spell like one - not because our randomly evolved language makes more sense, but because it's ours.

Certain grating Americanisms have infiltrated the British language. A major one that annoys me is:

"How are you?"

"I'm good."



"I am not enquiring after your moral status. I'm enquiring after your health. Are you WELL?!"

Haha, very true!

I'm aware; I was just letting you know that it is in the US. :P

Are you well today, TPP?



Hmmm. I've just realised this is a much better question than "how are you?"

"How are you?" is a general inquiry, not only with regards to health but also to emotional well-being. It's far too intrusive. "Are you well?" seems to be referring only to one's health.

If only people would ask: "are you well?" instead. I'd be able to give them a brief run-down of my minor ailments and satisfy them without having to talk about my personal affairs.

Is everybody well today?

Yeah, the "How are you?" "I'm good." doesn't make too much sense just thinking about it, but it's just one of those things we say before we go on to actually talking about something.

Actually, "I'm good" or "I'm doing fine/well/etc." are the only socially-appropriate responses.

My rhinitis makes my nose run every time I go out in the cold. My dodgy hamstring is playing up. My arches are bothering me again. Other than that, I'm well.



Are you well, clean chatters? Please give us a boring list of your current minor ailments to practice answering the NTs.

I've noticed that.

If you actually reply by saying "well, actually, I'm feeling awful today" they look really taken aback and don't know how to respond. They often look rather annoyed.

Well, if you didn't want to know, why did you ask?

Gosh I only left for a minute and there's half of another page to read through!

I am very well this evening.

I've grown to say it, though. Or reply when asked, "Good, how are you?" Sometimes I kind of like that it delays having to have an actual conversation.

Say it reeeeally slowly

Sorry. It was me. I got a bit carried away.

I'm glad to hear you are well.

[Mod. edit: obscenities redacted]

You must be a really cool guy.