I prefer "loo" myself.

You know when you're a teenager--preferably misshapen, socially awkward, and full of quality acne--and you fall into a new group of friends, how over time you begin talking like them?

Usually it's for the worst. Lots of "likes" and "you knows." If you're from within ten miles of Boston, you inherently say "wicked" regardless if it's applicable. If you're in grad school, you start every statement with "What I found interesting..." regardless if it's actually interesting.

Well, The Economist (oh, yeah, I'm brainy) had a piece recently on Americanisms that have burrowed into British culture.

Cases in point:

a.) "Sidewalk" is in. "Pavement" is hitting the road. [woo-hoo, puns!]

Note: Adele is chasing sidewalks now.

b.) "Apartment" growing in popularity at the expense of "flat."

This is disappointing to learn. No matter what kind of a scabies-infested cesspool roach den you lived in, if you referred to it as a flat people were bamboozled into believing you lived somewhere modern and edgy.

c.) "Vacation" is nearly as popular as "holiday."

Again, sad. Who doesn't love a holiday, no matter what kind? Vacations are just a variation on vacate--and the only things that should be vacated are meth dens and math classes.

d.) The American "I'm good" is gaining on the British "I'm well."

Sigh. This is the worst thing to happen to British English since Madonna.