British/American/Canadian Phrases and Spellings

**Gun Grape** · 26 Nov 06,, 18:07

Originally Posted by Trooth

Aluminum? What the hell is that?

If you mean aluminium, well done.

If I build pool enclosures out of Aluminium vice aluminum can I charge more?

But then will I have to receive a Cheque instead of a check?

**sappersgt** · 26 Nov 06,, 18:15

Originally Posted by 667medic

... drive on the wrong side of the road

South Africa's one of those countries that drive on the "wrong" side of the road. I was OK with everything EXCEPT making a right hand turn from the left side of the road at a four way stop sign. It was then that all my "right" side instincts would scream "NOOOOOOO!". I eventually got over it.

**glyn** · 26 Nov 06,, 19:43

Originally Posted by Gun Grape

If I build pool enclosures out of Aluminium vice aluminum can I charge more?

But then will I have to receive a Cheque instead of a check?

Say it, Gun Grape, say it. AL-YEW-MINI-YUM. There, wasn't that nice? And cheques are nice to receive and to cash! In fact as you are naming the material correctly I feel sure that a premium should be added to your quotations. I have no doubt that your clientelle will be only too pleased for you to do so.

**ArmchairGeneral** · 26 Nov 06,, 20:37

Originally Posted by Trooth

Aluminum? What the hell is that?

If you mean aluminium, well done.

Before the "Aluminum is right" brigade jump in:-
Helium
Lithium
Beryllium
Magnesium
Calcium
Chromium
Sodium

Etc.

Um, how about:
Iron, aka Ferrum
Lead, aka Plumbum
Platinum
Molybdenum
Tantalum

I really don't think either spelling can be said to be "right," but I tend agree with Isaac Asimov that aluminium simply has too many syllables for such a commonly used name. It just doesn't roll off the tongue like aluminum, or potassium. Hey, maybe we should go back to the original name, "alumium."

Oh, and helium is a noble gas, not a metal, so maybe we should rename it "helion" for the sake of consistency.

**glyn** · 26 Nov 06,, 22:05

Party Pooper!

**Loyal Royal** · 27 Nov 06,, 00:48

to say it short and sweet canadian english is way better than any other english

**Trooth** · 27 Nov 06,, 00:51

Originally Posted by ArmchairGeneral

Um, how about:
Iron, aka Ferrum
Lead, aka Plumbum
Platinum
Molybdenum
Tantalum

I really don't think either spelling can be said to be "right," but I tend agree with Isaac Asimov that aluminium simply has too many syllables for such a commonly used name. It just doesn't roll off the tongue like aluminum, or potassium. Hey, maybe we should go back to the original name, "alumium."

Oh, and helium is a noble gas, not a metal, so maybe we should rename it "helion" for the sake of consistency.

Good points but the real problem with aluminum for me is it sounds so much like a really bad pronunciation when lined up with all the other common elements - the nucular of the periodic table if you will.

Like people who stress the meat in BirmingHAM (in the UK) or say MARYland (in the US) as opposed marilund. Sounds like you are new to the whole game and that is how Aluminum feels.

Elsewhere someone mentioned MS Word and languages. I think it does the dictionary thing well. Although if you try to edit a document created in one language with word set to another it can take some convincing.

But where MS really can't be bothered is within windows itself.

Favourites please Mr Gates. When you called it Network Neighborhood i had to rename it everytime...

Quite why you don't know about Favourites, or minimise or or if i want something in the centre is a bit beyond me. I mean i told you the language i was using at the same time i told you about the keyboard i am using, the date format (DD/MM/YYYY please) currency (£ and , for thousands separator and . for decimal please) and time (24 hour format since the curtains are drawn it is getting dark early and i am an internet obsessive).

So Mr Gates, do i have to wear a bowler hat to get some corect spellings?

Another slap when i next meet him.

**Gun Grape** · 27 Nov 06,, 02:18

Originally Posted by glyn

Say it, Gun Grape, say it. AL-YEW-MINI-YUM. There, wasn't that nice? And cheques are nice to receive and to cash! In fact as you are naming the material correctly I feel sure that a premium should be added to your quotations. I have no doubt that your clientelle will be only too pleased for you to do so.

I will charge the Snowbirds a premium price and use the AL-yew-mini-yum moniker. I will also accept Cheques from my friends from up north instead of checks. However, I must charge a small processing fee for this service.

**glyn** · 27 Nov 06,, 08:55

Originally Posted by Gun Grape

I will charge the Snowbirds a premium price and use the AL-yew-mini-yum moniker. I will also accept Cheques from my friends from up north instead of checks. However, I must charge a small processing fee for this service.

I have every confidence in you!

**bonehead** · 27 Nov 06,, 09:08

Originally Posted by Draconion

Sir, come to India. Since you are not used to the right hand drive, you'll get your panties twisted bigtime with the kind of traffic we have here. Not to mention the strict following of rules.

Its a damn survival of the fittest competition here.

If I visit your fine country, I will remember to take a change of underware for each cab ride.
Just as a warning though. There are cities in the states where the drivers act like they absolutely have to go to the bathroom within the next 4 minutes and the nearest bathroom is 10 min away.

We have to pass a driving test to get our license, but as I see more idiots behind the wheel, I think we should have an IQ test as well.