Skip to main content

Britishism, Briticism

1) A Britishism, Adj. The correct, though often counter-intuitive, spelling of a word in English that is widely misspelt in the United State’s version of the English language.

2) A Britishism, Adj. The correct, though again admittedly counter-intuitive, pronunciation of certain words that are expressed differently in the States: due to the deviation of evolution in our separate linguistic developments (or lack thereof). Some scholars believe that certain American dialects are closer to the original forms of English than those currently spoken in England, largely due to the xenophobic nature of a nation afraid of change. Other scholars disagree. Others simply do not care.

3)Briticism, noun. The view taken of Britain by America, through the distorting lens of U.S. pop-media in film and television, designed to demonise British people and make them appear more threatening than they probably are.

It is similar to Said’s theory of Orientalism, except America has yet to declare war on Britain, so it doesn’t bother the British nearly as much as Orientalism probably bothers people in the Middle East.

To be fair, the Brits are responsible for an incalculable number of atrocities; we did have the largest Empire the world has ever seen after all; now all we have is a testimony to that fact in the Guinness Book of Records, an incompetent government, and a healthy dose of national cynicism.
1) Britishism, Briticism: Americans insist on replacing "s" with "z" at every available opportunity. There are many other examples, this is just the most annoying.

2) Britishism, Briticism: Lieutenant I believe is spelt correctly in the U.S. but it’s pronounced “Left-tenant”: L-E-F-T, get it?

3) Briticism: The Patriot was an awful film, also pretty inaccurate; it cast us Brits in a pretty demonic light, when really both sides did some pretty unpleasant things. You did destroy our tea, and that is simply not done.

Too many others to list, but we're always the bad guys, it's probably our own fault for being so horrible.

I don't get the paradoxical nature of your notions that we are "limeys" and the aspersions you cast on our dental health. The sailors used to suck limes to avoid scurvy which is essentially a horrible gum disease, is it not? Plus in modern terms, our free dental care system on the NHS beats the hell out of your sinister Insurance system. American prejudice is surely harming America as much as it harms the world at large.
by JerichoGeronimo May 15, 2009
mugGet the Britishism, Briticism mug.

britishian

I’m a wannabe Britishian.”
by Lilliepad August 18, 2022
mugGet the britishian mug.

brianisha

Someone who thinks of others before herself. Never a push over but will make sure to assist anyone the best way possible. She is a lover and always want to be loved back. When disrespected, she play back with a vengeance. Brianisha is a smart woman with a goal tor success.
Don’t play with Brianisha!
by The wizers November 23, 2021
mugGet the brianisha mug.

Brinesha

Good when happy, a fool when they’re mad. Beautiful and always excited with new creative ideas. Family-Oriented until they mess up. Calm when the storm goes and hands-on help after. A real-life Lady in the streets.
If I had a bad day I know Brinesha will make me smile.
by Thatsit November 23, 2021
mugGet the Brinesha mug.

Britishan

Hey did you know Jess was Britishan?
by WannabeMeMeMe November 11, 2019
mugGet the Britishan mug.

britishing

man 1: chip chip fucking cherio god save the queen
man 2: stop fucking britishing you prick
by urfuckingmom69 April 30, 2019
mugGet the britishing mug.

britishism

1) Uselessly adding silent letters to words to make them look more classier, despite that it's been out of style since the 18th century. Also, a British equivalent of an American made word.

2) A British invention that required American integrity to become effective.
1) Progamme, armour, colour, tonne, lift, ect.

2) Machine guns, automobiles, computers, ect.
by Anonymous September 6, 2003
mugGet the britishism mug.

Share this definition

Sign in to vote

We'll email you a link to sign in instantly.

Or

Check your email

We sent a link to

Open your email