Wherein we ask each other dialect questions we don't quite understand

[Morrus]

Something I've always wondered about was the usage of "maths" in the British Isles. (Not sure of the exact geography.) For example, from Elementary, Moriarty has a line where she says, "You've done the maths," in reference to her daughter and that she cannot be Sherlock's.

The usage seems quite common, but it's not usual for folks in the United States. We would probably say, "You've done the arithmetic."

What's the question? Your observation is correct; that is the term used over here.

 

[Bullgrit]

The usage seems quite common, but it's not usual for folks in the United States. We would probably say, "You've done the arithmetic."

Or "You've done the math." Singular; no "s".

Bullgrit

 

[billd91]

Something I've always wondered about was the usage of "maths" in the British Isles. (Not sure of the exact geography.) For example, from Elementary, Moriarty has a line where she says, "You've done the maths," in reference to her daughter and that she cannot be Sherlock's.

Eh. Both maths and math (as used in North America) are shortened from mathematics. The British usage just retains the s.

 

[Janx]

I... can't recall the last time I saw a Sven and Ole ethnic joke.

Me and the other Minnesotan have probably heard the last Sven and Ole joke you heard.

Which hopefully, it's understood that I'm just teasing and not disparaging anybody. At least in my versions, Sven and Ole are the founders of all sports Which is why most of them are the same.

 

[Janx]

Eh. Both maths and math (as used in North America) are shortened from mathematics. The British usage just retains the s.

some folks in Texas seem to be trying to adopt the brittish version of "Maths". These are usually the same folks behind Common Core nonsense math to confuse kids and their parents and they insist on pronouncing comptroller with the "mpt" instead of as "controller" which is the correct way per my accounting professor.

 

[Dog Moon]

Me and the other Minnesotan have probably heard the last Sven and Ole joke you heard.

Which hopefully, it's understood that I'm just teasing and not disparaging anybody. At least in my versions, Sven and Ole are the founders of all sports Which is why most of them are the same.

I, uh, don't even know what a Sven and Ole joke is!

 

[Tonguez]

I, uh, don't even know what a Sven and Ole joke is!

neither had I so I googled and it has its own wikipedia entry thus "Ole and Lena (also Sven and Ole) are central characters in jokes by Scandinavian Americans, particularly in the Upper Midwest region of the U.S., particularly in Minnesota"

just another strange Americanism that the rest of us have no idea aboot

 

[Tonguez]

- You'll have to give me a definition on that (I was thinking of crumpets)

"

These muffins
they're bread based so not cupcakes. Are these American Muffins as opposed to English Muffins?

 

[Dog Moon]

neither had I so I googled and it has its own wikipedia entry thus "Ole and Lena (also Sven and Ole) are central characters in jokes by Scandinavian Americans, particularly in the Upper Midwest region of the U.S., particularly in Minnesota"

just another strange Americanism that the rest of us have no idea aboot

Yeah, but I LIVE in Minnesota! Edit: And I have my entire 32 years and 361 days of it.

And I've never heard of a Sven and Ole joke.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Hilariously, I'm a Louisianan living in Texas, and I have heard Sven & Ole jokes.

I mean, yeah- I'm an army brat- I've lived in a lot of places, but nowhere that the "Norse" cultural jokes would have been prominent.

...and yet?

I don't remember who told me my first one, but I betcha it was my college buddy from South Dakota, with whom I threw the infamous "Negro Vikings" party...