... The Resistible Rise of 'If You Will'.
I think this is one Americans have adopted because they think it makes them sound British. For Americans, to sound British is the same as sounding intelligent. Like Bryan, I prefer "so to speak," but only in a humorous context - so to speak.
I'm not completely sure it's an attempt to sound more intelligent.
ReplyDeleteWith several decades of British comedy on TV having invaded our shores, it might well be an attempt to sound humourously superciliously. No one does sardonic better than certain Brits.
Then again, my take on all things British might be skewed from having grown up in a relic of their former empire.
And where might that relic be, Art?
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