"Andy Evans" wrote in message
...
In a way I like the sheer simplicity of the way Americans use language
(nearly said "Americans think" there...). It has an obvious
directness. A "valve" looks like a tube,

It does?, many (especially the old DHTs you seem so fond of) look more like
bulbs.

so it's a tube.

So it's a bulb, or a lamp (as the French call it)
And why is a name that *might* bear some relationship to the shape any more
"direct" than one that gives some idea of what the thing does?

Here are some
equivalents:

UK - Observe a sense of occasion
US - Big it up

UK - I reflected on what was taking place
US - I was like "what's up"?

UK - A theatrical performance
US - A show

UK - To apply cardiac resuscitation to the patient
US - To jump start the dude


Those are colloquialisms or slang usage, not "Americanisms". I can't imagine
many educated Americans saying "I was like "what's up"?" for example.
And a "theatrical performance" is not necessarily a "show", a "theatrical
performance" could just as easily be a play. I've never heard anyone in
Britain call either a play or a show a "theatrical performance" unless there
was a very good reason to do so

Try these:

UK - Cinema
US - Movie Theater

UK - Transport
US - Transportation.

American simplicity? Ha!

David.