Radio listeners have noticed slang terms more commonly heard on the other side of the Atlantic creeping into common usage on BBC shows.
Examples include presenters using the phrase 'ahead of' when they mean 'before', 'face up' instead of 'confront' and 'fess up' instead of 'confess'.
Martha Kearney was singled out for using the term ‘fess up’ instead in an interview last week on the Radio 4 programme The World at One.
In a discussion about cutting public spending, the broadcaster asked Terry Smith, chief executive of money broker Tullett Prebon, whether it was fair to expect the Conservatives to “fess up” the details of future public spending cuts when they did not have access to all the facts and figures.
Mr Smith responded: “I don’t think anyone will be regarded as credible until they ‘fess up’ to the terrible truth that some of the services will have to go, in terms of jobs and projects.”
The exchange sparked a furious debate on the BBC messageboards about whether this was the latest example of an Americanism creeping into accepted use by BBC presenters.
One post asked whether Kearney, 52, was “born in Compton?” – an area of Los Angeles known for gang warfare.
The message added: “When has it become acceptable for radio journalists, politicians (I've heard David Cameron use the same phrase) and serious individuals in general to use this American slang? It's lazy, and not very clever.
“This is just slack lazy language, which should not be coming from the mouth of anyone who has a reasonable level of education; Even when that 'someone went' to a private school."
Another listener added it was a “sad example of the desire to be 'in' and updated”.
“The Feedback programme used this expression too last week. What is wrong with just saying 'confess'? It is easier to say and I think no one would be in any doubt about what was meant,” another post said.
"If I hear another Beeb reporter telling someone that "it's a big ask" or "it might of been ..." I will scream”
Another post said the BBC should be setting an example and listeners should not condone such 'abuses' of the language.
“The BBC should be an example. It isn't there to be street-smart, it is there to uphold the Reithian values of educating and informing ... it isn't there to be hip, that is the job of the entertainment channels,” said another post.
“We're stuck with most of this, but we don't have to lie down prone, supplicate and accept our inevitable crushing by the juggernaut.”
Nick Seaton, Campaign for Real Education, said: “It is not a surprise that a few expressions have crept in but the BBC should be setting an example for people and not indulging any slopping Americanised slang.”
“BBC bosses should remind their broadcasters what they have to be careful and they have a duty to protect the high standards which we expect from the BBC.”
Some commentators have warned that an increase of imported American children’s shows, such as High School Musical, Arthur and Ben Ten, had led to slang being incorporated into every day language.
The corporation was forced to monitor the use of slang on its children's CBBC channel following complaints about poor language and declining standards of spoken English on programmes such as Dick and Dom show.
A BBC spokeman said: "We are not aware of there being any issues with use of language and believe that the public enjoy our presenters' turn of phrase."
A list of Americanisms that have annoyed BBC listeners:
* 'Fess up' instead of 'confess'
* The Americanisation of dates - July the fifth is now 'July fifth' or January the fifth becomes 'January five'
* 'Take a look' instead of ‘have a look’
* 'Ahead of' instead of 'before'
* 'Face up' instead of 'confront'
* It's a big ask
* 'It might of been' instead of 'It might have been'
