Are Americans trashing the English language?

Britons often grumble that Americanisms are creeping into British English. Lane Greene, our language guru, asks where American words really come from—and whether they pose a threat to the Queen s English. Click here to subscribe to The Economist on YouTube: http://econ.st/2AqhBvU Are American s trashing the English language? The Economists language expert, Lane Greene, knows a thing or two about English. Lane is a fan of words, lots of words, and Lane is an American living in London. He s become accustomed to British English slang. But Lane often hears Britons complain that there are too many American words and expressions creeping into British English, these are called Americanisms. British writer Matthew Engel can t stand Americanisms being used in Britain and even wrote a book about it. But are Americanisms trashing British English? Daily Watch: mind-stretching short films throughout the working week. For more from Economist Films visit: http://econ.st/2Ara5AI Check out The Economist’s full video catalogue: http://econ.st/20IehQk Like The Economist on Facebook: http://econ.st/2AqUmSm Follow The Economist on Twitter: http://econ.st/2ArMHmN Follow us on Instagram: http://econ.st/2AqI3oT Follow us on LINE: http://econ.st/1WXkOo6 Follow us on Medium: http://econ.st/2Aq65k7