# AE vs. BE: use of autumn vs fall **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 2, 2009, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ae-vs-be-use-of-autumn-vs-fall/505066 "2009-08-02T16:08:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ae-vs-be-use-of-autumn-vs-fall/505066/41 "2009-08-04T00:08:50Z")
> [@Apollyon](#): > > Heard both used here too… but I always get a chuckle when I see the “Schindler” name on lifts… Schindler’s lift. Yeah… I’m easily amused. 🙂 No, in the best 18th century style, you are eafily amufed. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ae-vs-be-use-of-autumn-vs-fall/505066/42 "2009-08-04T00:38:35Z")
> [@Rucksinator](#): > > [hijack] > If you can’t tell a man from a woman, and you don’t feel comfortable doing the Crocodile Dundee method, and he’s not wearing a dress so you can’t do the Tom Sawyer (or was in Huck Finn?) method, was to ask them to check their fingernails. Women will hold their hands out straight with their palms away from them. Men will curl their fingers in with their palms facing towards them. Oops! I’m a bloke again… ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ae-vs-be-use-of-autumn-vs-fall/505066/43 "2009-08-04T00:50:29Z")
While I would still be more apt to use the word ‘fall’ in any case, to this American ‘autumn’ seems to connote more specifically things which traditionally go with the time of year in places that actually have four seasons. Leaves changing color and falling on the forest floor, very noticeably cooler temperatures, and the main harvest of the year taking place are all traditional attributes. In Southern California harvests may happen at any time, there are few if any maple forests or aspen groves, and summer-like temps may continue until early November. So to say ‘autumn’ seems slightly bizarre. ‘Fall’ on the other hand, means the physical aspects of the season, as well as the three months on the calendar–which in L.A. is usually the only significance it has. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ae-vs-be-use-of-autumn-vs-fall/505066/44 "2009-08-04T06:32:33Z")
> [@Rucksinator](#): > > If you can’t tell a man from a woman, and you don’t feel comfortable doing the Crocodile Dundee method, and he’s not wearing a dress so you can’t do the Tom Sawyer (or was in Huck Finn?) method, was to ask them to check their fingernails. Women will hold their hands out straight with their palms away from them. Men will curl their fingers in with their palms facing towards them. WTF? I’m a man again? Apparently my behavior is not compatible with my anatomy. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2009, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ae-vs-be-use-of-autumn-vs-fall/505066/45 "2009-08-04T14:59:27Z")
I do both the fingernail things. … I’m actually not surprised. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ae-vs-be-use-of-autumn-vs-fall/505066.md?page=2)