Coronation Street - Current Episode Discussion - V

[Son of Cain]

Why not just use the word while?

Maybe because we are not Americans.
Brits tend to use "whilst", Americans ""While".

[bratface]

Maybe because we are not Americans.
Brita tend to use "whilst", Americans ""While".

Did I strike a nerve? I just have always thought that using the word whilst sounded pretentious, whether you are from the UK or the US. But I've seen it used in other countries as well.

[Dennis tanner]

Why not just use the word while?

Just my choice I guess. I hope it doesn't offend you.

[parkerman]

Did I strike a nerve? I just have always thought that using the word whilst sounded pretentious, whether you are from the UK or the US. But I've seen it used in other countries as well.

You may have noticed that there are many words that are different in American English and English English. Would you say, for example, it is pretentious to use the word lift instead of elevator or mobile phone instead of cell phone?

[bratface]

Just my choice I guess. I hope it doesn't offend you.

No, it doesn't offend me. Sorry, if I left that impression. I was just curious if you also used it while talking to people or whether or not you only used it in written speech. I watch a lot of things from the UK but only notice it in articles, comments, etc., not when people speak. So that is why I asked.

[bratface]

You may have noticed that there are many words that are different in American English and English English. Would you say, for example, it is pretentious to use the word lift instead of elevator or mobile phone instead of cell phone?

No. I don't know why it bothers me to be honest. It's just one of those things. I didn't mean to offend anyone, I was just curious if Dennis also used the word in conversation.

[Son of Cain]

No. I don't know why it bothers me to be honest. It's just one of those things. I didn't mean to offend anyone, I was just curious if Dennis also used the word in conversation.

While and whilst both have the same meaning, but you cannot always use whilst in place of while. We chatted for a while - correct. We chatted for a whist - incorrect.
While and whilst, both describe the time that something else is happening. While tends to be used to describe something that is happening at the same time at something else. Whilst used in contrast. Example: I watched TV while I waited for my taxi (cab), whilst my sister played games on her phone. Whilst may be considered old fashioned by some people. Just to complicate things further when can be used instead of while. The phone rang while/when I was up a ladder. Whereas can sometimes also be used instead of whilst.
My brain is hurting so I will stop here.

[LouiseP]

I say 'whilst' and so does my daughter . Pretentious ??? Really? I certainly would be offended if someone said I was pretentious or using a word was pretentious . It rather suggests Hyacinth Bouquet .

[LouiseP]

And what about saying unbeknownst instead of Unbeknown?. Is that pretentious?!

[parkerman]

Pretentious? Moi?