Why use inferior american expressions when we have our own.?

Question

Why do we feel that we have to use infantile expressions (mostly from America I'm afraid) such as A.K.A. (Also known as) when we have the proper term Alias. We also now use STD (Sexually transmitted disease) when we mean VD (venereal disease). Let's return to using the correct terms for these thinsg (and many others) and not import trans-atlantic expressions intended to be used and understood by the academically and intellectually destitute.

OK Shirley C - what have I spelled incorrectly? Don't please give me American spellings, because everybody knows ahte Webster couldn't spell :-)

Well, I would put dukalink6000s answer as the best BUT, all those diseases are covered by the term venereal disease. By the way (NOT BtW note!), I'm not anti american in any way except for the fact that their educational budget is spent more on convincing people that they have been well educated than actually educating them - but then, educated people can think and that is dangerous to governments. A good example of this is that the country (if the press can be believed) is governed more by superstition than by rational thought. Admitted, Blair is also tainted by the same childishness but it seems to be allied to poor education here as well these days.

Good point andyb. Add to that the famous verb "to leverage". Interesting to try to conjugate the verb :-)

Well, believe it or not, I'm voting for Sandra's answer. Not as the best but as clear evidenve of poor education. for her information,
the father of computing - Babbage - UK. First programming language ADA - Ada Pascal - French.
Father of digital computer - Turing - UK.
1st digital computer - Collossus - Bletchley Park -1940s designed by Turing to decrypt the German Enigma codes. - UK.
1st commercial computer - Leo1 British design financial computer for Jow Lyons Company - UK.
World Wide Web Browser - Inventor Tim Berners-Lee (CERN) - UK.

And Finally, despite the hilarious hollywood film U-571, it was the British who recovered the Enigma code books, NOT the americans.


So, who wants to rewrite history?

Answer 1

Oh, and not only Yahoo Answers was created in USA, but anything else related to computers, Internet and software and who knows how many other products not necessarily related to the electronic world. If I were you I would get rid of anything with American origins (don't be surprised if you will realise your house will be almost empty) and also... Caution!!!! Check and see if your house wasn't made of materials imported from US, as well.

Are you using an Ipod to listen to music during long or short journeys? (well it was invented in US, get rid of it right away, you might turn deaf).

DP - how is that for a British abbreviation for the so used expression 'Daft Pr*ck'?

Good luck and have a nice day!

Answer 2

I'm afraid that there is no such thing as a 'correct' term. Language is continually evolving and it is always the children that drive this process. There is nothing academically destitute about saying STD instead of venereal disease, infact it is a more accurate and easily understood term, who knows the derivation of the term venereal disease? The use of Latin itself is a product of our cultural domination by Rome. The fact that American terms are so quickly and readily picked up these days is because of the mass media.

Language is only as good as the people using it at any one time.

Answer 3

I think you may be thinking a little too deeply here and in the wrong direction. I always thought that STD was an English term ..... and anyway, STD covers a whole lot more than VD which is a specific STD. I use AKA a lot as well as it is pithy, specific and to the point. It doesn't hit me in the face as being an Americanism and it is certainly much used in the British Police force as everyone understands it.
Also, remember that we have a lot of English terms that could be described as 'twee' to the outside world ... they are simply part of our heritage as are many terms to the Americans. I think you possibly are a little 'weary' of America as a nation ..... personally I think they are a great nation, it's just that their politicians leave something to be desired on occasions.
So, hit me with some more pumpkin pie and cawfee ... have a very nice day ......

Answer 4

Because the idea is to allow communication. Something being also known as doesn't mean that it's an alias... just as a venereal disease will not connote to teenagers how the disease is transmitted. While this may not jibe with your obvious intellectual superiority, it may help in minimizing the actual spreading of said diseases.

I knoes I's is just a dumm amerkin, butt hoo are u to sez watt is the propar turm?

Obviously from your inability to understand the concepts behind the other terms, you must be lacking in your comprehension of evolution of language and the understanding of the actual purpose of things.

Answer 5

Your rationality is illogical. The expressions and abbreviations are generated by the World community...i.e. SARS....this was not an American problem, but for international communication, it was created. STS is an internationally recognized term as it implies the whole range of sexual transmitted diseases. You miss the point of standardization in language, Science is based on complete communication and math is an absolute...so we use math in so far as we can, the petroleum industry uses ENGLISH as the language of communication and because many innovations are created in America, those terms work so long as others understand the terms. In purification of the language, we would need by your thoughts to elimanate...tsunami, typhoon, ketchup (catsup), or the word water, or words from Latin or how about Arabic numerals, or how about the name of your home town...look it up...see where it came from....Sounds to me like you are being ridiculous about things that are in place and work well.

Answer 6

There are two types of herpes simplex virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both virus types can cause sores around the mouth (herpes labialis) and on the genitals (genital herpes). Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Cold sores sometimes called fever blisters, are groups of small blisters on the lip and around the mouth. The skin around the blisters is often red, swollen, and sore. The blisters may break open, leak a clear fluid, and then scab over after a few days. They usually heal in several days to 2 weeks.
The herpes simplex virus usually enters the body through a break in the skin around or inside the mouth. It is usually spread when a person touches a cold sore or touches infected fluid—such as from sharing eating utensils or razors, kissing an infected person, or touching that person's saliva. A parent who has a cold sore often spreads the infection to his or her child in this way. Cold sores can also be spread to other areas of the body.
Luckly there is a cure for herpes https://tr.im/56743

Answer 7

Let's return to using the correct terms for these thinsg (and many others) and not import trans-atlantic expressions intended to be used and understood by the academically and intellectually destitute

spell check. Use it. Love it. Then you may comment on the intellectually destitute.

Answer 8

Sorry to spoil your little anti-American rant, but there's no such thing as an inferior or correct language. Languages are constantly evolving (and, yes, that includes both British and American English). AKA doesn't strike me as being particularly American, and I for one think STD is a far clearer and more precise term than VD.

Answer 9

There are many sexually transmitted diseases.

A partial listing of sexually transmitted diseases:

Chlamydia - Chlamydia is a very dangerous STD as it usually has no symptoms; 75% of infected women and 25% of infected men have no symptoms at all.
Gonorrhea - Gonorrhea is one of the most frequently reported STD. 40% of it's victims contract PID if not treated, and it can cause sterility.
Hepatitis B - A vaccine exists, but there's no cure; can cause cancer of the liver.
Herpes - Painful and episodic; can be treated but there's no cure.
HIV/AIDS - First recognized in 1984, AIDS is the sixth leading cause of death among young men and women. The virus is fatal involving a long, painful death.
Human Papalloma Virus (HPV) & Genital Warts - The most common STD, 33% of all women have this virus, which can cause cervical or penile cancer and genital pain.
Syphilis - Untreated, can lead to serious damage of the brain or heart.
Trichomoniasis - Can cause foamy vaginal discharge or no symptoms at all. Can cause premature birth in pregnant women.

Less Common STDs

Other reproductive tract infections:

Bacterial Vaginosis - Causes pain during urination, and untreated can result in kidney failure.
Chancroid - A large, painful blister or ulcer which appears in genital area; may rupture.
Granuloma Inguinale - Causes painless ulcers which enlarge and easily bleed.
Lymphogranuloma Venereum - Rare in the United States; causes lesions, aching and abscesses in the groin.
Molluscum Contagiosum - This virus causes smooth, shiny lesions, which must be individually removed by a doctor.
Mucopurulent Cervicitis (MPC) - Causes discharge from the cervix, can result in PID or miscarriage in pregnant women.
Nongonococcal Urethritis (NGU) - Afflicts men and causes urinary problems, can be caused by chlamydia.

Related Conditions

Other reproductive tract infections:

Candidiasis - Candidiasis, or yeast infection, is not a true STD but can be contracted sexually, causing burning, itching and discomfort. It is treatable with over-the-counter medication, although it is commonly recurrent.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - Can be caused by a number of bacteria, transmitted sexually or through other means. Can result in pain, infertility, and even death.

Answer 10

What difference does it make; they all convey the same meaning. I believe that there is no such thing as inferior language as long it conveys the expression that need to be conveyed. I don't think the British should be so proud of their ancient language and feel that is the only best way to express.