Why did Pete Hegseth say “I only speak American” when the English language comes from England and not the United States of America?

[Anonymous]

[Snakeyes7]

It's a joke that has been around for a long time. I first heard it in 2010.

[slatyb]

Because he's ignorant and stupid

[emeraldsaphire]

Language is fluid. English was originally a west Germanic language spoken by the Anglos and the Saxons, and is closest to the Frisian language. Germanic languages come from the Proto-Indo European language which was spoken somewhere in mondern day Russia or Turkey thousands of years ago.

American English is a distinct dialect, One day American English could be unintelligible to people who speak a British dialect of English. Like how Vulgar Latin became French, Spanish, Italian and Romanian.

The line between dialect and language is fuzzy, but I think it's a bit silly to classify American English as a distinct language.

[strateguy632]

Because official dictionary in 1970s made that distinction on its cover "dictionary of American". A few hundred words have different meanings and different official spellings between ours and Brits.

[Anonymous]

Because American language was proposed to be the official name of the lanugage in the USA, and American was actually an official language in the 1923. Illinois constitution: https://languagepolicy.net/archives/american.htm

[abc3643]

Because he's an asshole.

Look, MAGA is hypernationalistic... just like the NAZIs were. So, with guys like Hesgeth and other MAGA ilk, you always make it about The Fatherland... uh, ... 'Murika.

[Abbycado]

You need to air yourself out more often.

You’re stuck in troll mode.

[DryGermanGuy]

Pete Kegstand fell into the keg once too often. That's what alcoholism does to you, kids!

[exitseven]

Because he speaks American.

[Ariesman81]

The British and Americans haven't really spoken the same language since 1776.

[beefcakebradybatson]

HUCK FEGSETH !!!