Britishism

[ brit-i-shiz-uhm ]

noun

1. Briticism.
2. any custom, manner, characteristic, or quality peculiar to or associated with the British people.
3. the aggregate of such qualities regarded as characteristic of a British person:

   His cool reserve is just part of his Britishism.

Britishism

/ ˈbrɪtɪˌʃɪzəm /

noun

1. a variant of Briticism

Word History and Origins

Origin of Britishism¹

First recorded in 1880–85; British + -ism

Example Sentences

By bringing his witticisms and Britishisms to the United States, observed Robert Thompson, a scholar of popular culture, Mr. Goodman “constantly served up an idea of what Americans still think of as … British.”

From Washington Post

Her accent often slipped into a slight British lilt, common among North American expats, and her speech was peppered with Britishisms.

From New York Times

The Times of London gave it two out of five stars, saying that it was “little better than much of the Diana tat,” a Britishism for a cheap souvenir.

From Washington Post

“Aerated” being a Britishism that means “agitated, angry or overexcited.”

From Washington Post

Both leaders were asked whether the monarchy was “fit for purpose,” a Britishism for something well-suited for its designated role.

From Washington Post