9/1/09

I'll have some H2O please!

It seems one of the words us Brits have the most difficulty with is 'water' in the USA! I have had to change the whole way I pronounce it, otherwise I just get blank stares or a repeated "sorry, what was that?".

Well I was pleased to see it isn't just me on Saturday, when Ross asked for 'water' and got the exact same response. In fact he made three attempts to ask for it, before an American had to ask for him as it became farcical!!

You see us Brits say "WARTER" and here you say "WATTER". I have learned to say it the American way, but every now and then I will forget and totally flummox a server!

A friend suggested tonight that I ask for H2O, but I'm really not sure that wouldn't get even more blank looks! Oh the trials and tribulations of being a Brit abroad.

18 comments:

Sunny said...

I like to go to the supermarket and ask for Al-U-min-ium Foil.
Sunny :)

david mcmahon said...

Don't water down your pronunciation!

♥ Braja said...

Makes you wonder why they call it English over there, dunnit?? :)))

gigi-hawaii said...

haha. My mother and her tour group from Hawaii had the same trouble in London years ago. The waiter asked, "Would you some WOE-TER?"

No one understood him, til someone said, "Oh, you mean WATTER."

Kay said...

What is it about that particular word? My husband used to say it with a Massachusetts accent from his time in the Air Force and being stationed there. Now he says it with a more Midwestern accent, but I think it's changing to Hawaii now.

My British neighbor used to complain that I didn't say, "vase" correctly. LOL

Dorset Dispatches said...

My boys spend too much time with Americans, and they now say Wadder with me running behind them saying helpful things like 'water has a t in it - it is waTer waTer' The trials of being a Brit expat.

Congrats on the POTD mention too!

Anonymous said...

Found your blog through David at Authorblog. Congrats on POTD!
Funny how people pronouce things differently. I love the British accent.
Glad I found you, I will certainly be back.

Unknown said...

Congrats on POTD mention.

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

Come to Virginia. We will understand you and get you a glass of WARTER. I've always pronounced it WARTER - must be a southern thing.

Boozy Tooth said...

But I thought Brits pronounced it "whoa-tah" which would not only make it better understood but ever so sexy. Never knew about "warter." You learn something new every day here on the multi-national, international, universal internets.

Congratulations on your POTD mention.

Daryl said...

Congrats on being a POTD mention .. and here we call it Tap so as not to be confused with Bottled

Richard Lawry said...

I was at a restaurant the other day with a Canadian friend. She ordered hot water. The waiter seemed to think that it was an impossible request, and then continued to comment on it during the meal.

An Arkies Musings

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Had to laugh out loud at this one ;)
If I had a dollar for every time I've tried saying water to a waitress, I'd be a millionaire by now.
I even resorted to spelling it on a napkin before.
I usually try and say it with my best imitation of an American accent, and it seems to work.
Great post Sarah, and congratulations on your POTD !

Mare said...

Moving from NJ[after 25 years] to NY, I sometimes had to spell words for people...can and gone..are two.

Nancy said...

LOL

Jill of All Trades said...

I would think I would love to hear you say WARTER. Don't change it.

Manchester Lass, Now and Then said...

I always had problems with "that" word while living in the US. One thing I loved during my stay in the US was compliments on my accent (which I really don't like) but American's loved. Guess I miss that here in Oz as I am just another whinging Pom (he he). Love your blog Brit Gal. Linda

Michael said...

Funny. I still say it the old way--matter of a fact it's probably the word I say with the thickest accent as It don't say it too often. BTw, I LOVE my Colorado water--a lot better than London's got. I thought this water was awful when I first arrived here. Funny how tastes change. how I ever liked recycled over fresh from the mountain water is beyond me now.