Autumn/Fall - Language query for Americans

[rob.northcott]

I watched a documentary about the Mississippi river recently. It was narrated mostly by an old hunter/trapper bloke, who was speaking what I considered normal American English. But he said "autumn" - that sounded really strange to me coming from an American. I thought all Americans called it "fall" - it sounded as wrong as if I'd heard an English person call a tap a faucet or a nappy a diaper.
So... do some Americans use the word "autumn", and I've just never heard it before, or was this old trapper told to say it because the programme was made for an English audience?
Very sad I know, but it's just been bugging me

Rob

[trials_uni]

Well im from Canada so my opinion may not be entirely correct but ive heard both Autumn and fall used in casual conversation...But i have noticed that its the older folks (40+) who tend more to say Autumn and the youger people say fall...Not sure why ii guess it could be an upbringing thing.

[rob.northcott]

Thanks. This bloke was certainly over 40 - I would say he looked mid-50s or possibly a fit 60. I had never heard an American use the word "autumn" before - I thought you all called it "fall" - sounded really odd to me.

Rob

[yoopers]

Autumn may be slightly more formal than fall, but then again it probably depends more on an area of the country. I use the word from time to time. For me, Autumn brings more of a word picture of beautiful countryside dotted with brightly colored trees. Fall says to me winter's close at hand so I'd better get the leaves raked.

Are you familiar with the words used for soda pop? In the midwest, we usually use the word pop. On the east coast, say, in Maryland where I went to high school, they use the word soda to describe the beverage. In New England, I understand that they used the word Coke no matter what brand of pop it is. It's just that "Gimme a 7-UP Coke" doesn't make sense to me.

[milk]

"Gimme a 7-UP Coke"

Just "Give me a 7-up" works. We just call everything by its brand name.

[rob.northcott]

For me, Autumn brings more of a word picture of beautiful countryside dotted with brightly colored trees.
Interesting. That's exactly the context he used the word in. Seems like I just managed not to have heard it said by an American until now!

Regarding the drinks, generally here it gets called fizz or pop (hardly ever soda), but any kind of cola (not other flavours) will often be referred to as coke, same as all vacuum cleaners are hoovers.

Rob

[yoopers]

same as all vacuum cleaners are hoovers.
That's what we call our 9-month-old, 85 lb. Golden Retriever puppy. His real name is Baxter but we call him Hoover every so often because he sucks up and eats everything.

[harper]

I have always heard autumn and fall used equally and interchangeably in American vernacular.

[yoopers]

Below is a depiction of fall.

This (http://209.15.42.2/images/Image%20Portfolios/Autumn.htm) is autumn.

[johnfoss]

I have always heard autumn and fall used equally and interchangeably in American vernacular.
Agreed. Autumn is the more formal, or colorful word to use, and is more likely to be used in a piece of narration or otherwise something written to go along with autumn scenery.

As you probably already knew, the English language has way too many words in it. If you don't believe me, watch a spelling bee sometime...:p

[monkeyman]

As you probably already knew, the English language has way too many words in it. If you don't believe me, watch a spelling bee sometime...:p
Yup (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5301654751776175545)

Are you familiar with the words used for soda pop?
In Texas, "Coke" is used if you're just talking about soft drinks in general, but normally they're called by brand names if you mean a specific one.

[phlegm]

See www.popvssoda.com (http://www.popvssoda.com/).

Autumn and fall are the same to me.

[andrew_carter]

See www.popvssoda.com (http://www.popvssoda.com/).We call them soft drinks. Oh, and while we're on the subject of American/British language conversions, any Americans visiting England (or Australia) should be very selective in using the word "fanny".

Andrew

[monkeyman]

We call them soft drinks. Oh, and while we're on the subject of American/British language conversions, any Americans visiting England (or Australia) should be very selective in using the word "fanny".

Andrew

Do I want to know why?

[andrew_carter]

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dict.asp?Word=fanny

[rob.northcott]

any Americans visiting England (or Australia) should be very selective in using the word "fanny".
And apparently "just going out to bum a fag" means something entirely different in the US as well ;)

[wobbling bear]

any Americans visiting England (or Australia) should be very selective in using the word "fanny".
they've got Fanny Mae at home to spend their money on.

[Memphis Mud]

The words refer to the same time period but I don't think they are interchangeable.

I say
"Look at the beautiful autumn leaves."
not
"Look at the beautiful fall leaves"

Autumn feels more poetic or romantic.
"When can we see those stunning autumn leaves?"
"Let's go to Vermont next fall"

And around here you'd hear
"Could I get a Coke to drink?"
"Sure, what kind?"
"Sprite"
"Comin' up"

[monkeyman]

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dict.asp?Word=fanny


brings a whole new meaning to the term "fanny pack"

[samia]

I heard recently that the term 'fall' is used in the north of England, which is why it went to the US in the first place. Being a southern softie, I haven't heard it used in England. Is it?

[rob.northcott]

I heard recently that the term 'fall' is used in the north of England, which is why it went to the US in the first place. Being a southern softie, I haven't heard it used in England. Is it?
I didn't know that - I associate "fall" with American English. Never heard anybody use that term in this country. My wife's family are from the North West and she hasn't heard it either.