Counting in American

It's archaic though (or was until recently.) I find the Americans us a lot of words which seem old fashioned to us. Pitcher for jug is one example. It's because the
language evolved differently in the two countries.

Still find it annoying ?

^ gotten^ is of English origin.

Thanks ffinochio. So I was completely wrong!!
High school 1st year freshmen?? 2nd yr sophomore . 3rd year = ?? It comes in films and books all the time and is very confusing (to us). Doubtless our ways are confusing to americans. I know they don't understand why our public schools are actually private ones!
I understand about dates ne has only to think of 9/11 which we all know was 11th Sept so we would say 11/9.

The use of the word Gotten seems to be coming into use over here in the U.K. and I must say it does irritate me?
The date thing, does become confusing I agree. I was at my GP surgery the other day when an American lady was trying unsuccessfully to use the automated check in machine, after several attempts the receptionist came over and asked her for her date of birth 10/22/53 she declared? receptionist was puzzled and asked her to repeat, lady again in an irritated voice 10/22/53 to which being able to stand it no longer I chirped up with she means 22nd of October 1953?

It's counting of a sort. I do a lot of crochet and use patterns from the USA. I'm okay with the terminology, but the hooks aren't in mm but are lettered G hook etc. I always have to find a conversion table to find out which one to use.

BlueBelle when DH and I holidaying in US we got to our hotel in San Francisco but could not find a record of our booking (thankfully made through a 3rd party & not by us!) to discover the problem was the transposition of day/month. We were there on 3 May and they thought we were no show on 5th March! Luckily they had a lovely room available!

Well, it makes sense to the Americans!

Perhaps the Americans think our way of dating very strange!

And put the month before the day how back to front is that? 10.3.1966 is going in small to middle to large ....day, month, year but in US it would be 3.10.1966 month, day then year now where’s the sense in that middle to small to large

pp ... Sophomore is a student in 2nd year of High School study.

Basically, year groups = grades, broken up into 3 stages:
Elementary KG 2 >>> 5th/6th grade
Middle >> 6, 7 >>8, 9 grade
High School 9 >>> 12 grade

So... Kg2 will be a 5 - 6 year old

Grade 1 = 6 to 7 year old
Grade 2 = 7 - 8 year old
Grade 3= 8- 9 year old

...and so on.

My son lives in the US and it is puzzling at times. My granddaughter starts in kindergarten school next month, at the age of 5yrs 6mths. My grandson in the U.K. is also starting school, in reception, in September. He is still 3yrs old until the end of August!

Where my American GC live, they also have the three school system, not just primary & senior school as in Scotland.

But can you explain it all ffinochio? Id really like to know what it all.means.
I have a feeling that american children start s hool a year lTer than in Britain so that first grade would be our year 2 etc but not sure if its right. It often pops up in novels eg 'when I was in eighth grade' and its difficult if you dont know how old that is. Would that be yr 9 ie 13-14 yr old or an I completely wrong?

Oops .. crazy of popped up there.

Ah, the English....said in Barack Obama tones.

Is this odd and confusing of habit of complaining of another nation’s language recent? ? and sigh.

My American grandchildren call me something that is untraditional in both countries. It’s just a made up name.

I never understand grades eg 8th grade, sophomore and other year groups etc. SATs pronounced ess ay tees are also confusing. What age group is high school and what comes next? University is also called school which is odd. What is a little league? Is a semester the same as a term?

However this business of graduating at every stage with cap & gown is catching on here too and I hatevit. Degrades a real graduation ceremony ie gettig a university degree.

Ah the Americans .......... in Maggie Smith tones

It's all the Juniors and first,second and firsts that amuse me with sons. Half our family are American so we are more or less used to the lost in translation of English(es). Then Of course there are fanny packs ..........