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Have YOU picked up American words after watching TV shows?

child-watching-tv.Image source, Getty Images

Lots of us love watching shows from other countries, but do your favourite programmes from across the pond affect the way you speak?

The British cartoon Peppa Pig proved to very popular among American children during lockdown, and it's reported to have been the second most-watched cartoon in the US from February 2020 to February 2021 after Spongebob Squarepants, according to data from a US based company called Parrot Analytics.

Now, it seems as though the loveable pig is having an impact on the words some American children are using and how they pronounce them.

Some parents in the US have shared stories of how the show has changed their children's speech, with kids saying words like "mummy" instead of "mommy" and "to-mah-to" instead of "to-may-to". Some children have even started using British phrases like "give it a go" and "telly".

The impact of the cartoon - which has been described as the 'Peppa effect' - got us thinking: do you use American words or phrases that you've picked up from watching US TV shows, or have the programmes affected your accent in any way?

American v British words

Trash can = Rubbish bin

Diaper = Nappy

Vacation = Holiday

Fall = Autumn

Soccer = Football

Bangs = Fringe

Pants = Trousers

Potato chips = Crisps

Have your say in our vote below and let us know which words and phrases you've picked up from shows in the comments below!

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