Anglicanisms

/ˈæŋɡlɪkənɪzəmz/ noun

Definition

Words, phrases, or customs that are characteristic of England or the Anglican Church, or the practice of using English language features in other contexts.

Etymology

From 'Anglicanism' (the religion of the Church of England) plus the suffix '-ism' meaning a distinctive doctrine or practice, plus '-s' for plural. The root 'Angle' refers to the Germanic tribe that invaded Britain around 450 CE.

Kelly Says

Anglicanisms are why Americans say 'gotten' while British English speakers prefer 'got'—these linguistic splits happened because English-speaking communities developed slightly different habits after they separated geographically.

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