â[The English] have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, language.â â Oscar Wilde, 1887
The English language is a wonderful, fascinating, and vexing thing.
We see the stark differences between British and American English demonstrated in nearly every episode of Apple TVâs breakout hit Ted Lasso.
Ted shows up to coach Premier League football in England, as the new manager of AFC Richmond, and his Kansan accent couldnât feel more awkward or out of place.
But Ted doesnât seem to mind: he quickly sets to work with the irrepressible optimism that defines his character and he shows as much eagerness to understand the quirks of British English as he does to get to know his new team.
For example, Ted is talking with his second in command Coach Beard, when he discovers a certain piece of sports equipment isnât called by the same name in England. And the resulting conversation not only shows Tedâs eagerness and ability to learn but also how closely connected he and Beard are.
Ted: Hey, look at Isaac. He looks like a Rodin sculpture in cleats.
Coach Beard: Boots. They call cleats âboots.â
Ted: I thought you said that the trunk of a car was a boot.
Coach Beard: Also a boot.
Ted: Hold on now. If I were to get fired from my job where I'm puttinâ cleats in the trunk of my car...
Coach Beard: You got the boot from puttinâ boots in the boot.
Ted loves playing with words to brighten peopleâs days, whether itâs entering the ownerâs office saying âKnock-a-doodle-doo!â or complimenting his son over FaceTime with âGood thinkinâ, Abe Lincoln!â
If you think it sounds corny, cloying, and filled with Dad jokes, you would be correct. And thatâs one of the reasons I love it.
The fast-paced delivery of Tedâs drawl, combined with his witticism and good humor make for a wonderful romp through the language â almost a Premier League level of wordplay with an optimist whoâs adept with both versions of English.
A particular favorite scene of mine later in that same episode is when Ted is playfully testing Coach Beardâs ability to decode a description involving his newfound understanding of the language as they walk through the park drinking coffee.
Ted: Okay, I got one. What if I joined forces with a swashbuckling cat to play tiny guitars for women of the night as we read Alex Haleyâs most seminal work?
Coach Beard: Youâd be in cahoots with Puss in Boots, playing lutes for prostitutes, reading Roots.
Ted: No, The Autobiography of Malcolm X. I gotcha.
You got all of us, Ted.
The series is not only great fun for those who love language, itâs well written, has characters we care about, and teaches valuable lessons about leadership and behavior that transcend industries and continents.
It seems that the English and Americans do still have much in common, even if itâs not our language.
And thanks, Ted. Itâs nice to admire a squire for hire who inspired us to send this wire.
Related:
Thanks, and Iâll see you on the internet.
Hey, first time here? Please be sure to sign up to receive updates each week.
And if this made you smile, keep it going! Share it with someone on whose face youâd like to see a smile today.
Create your profile
Only paid subscribers can comment on this post
Check your email
For your security, we need to re-authenticate you.
Click the link we sent to , or click here to sign in.