It is interesting, because there are parts of American English that sound (to my British ears) archaic and quaint*. I suppose it’s just a case of different bits being preserved.
(*I can’t think of an example offhand)
ETA: Ah, yes I can: ‘gotten’
Was the character who said “whilst” in the TV show somewhat snooty? Overuse of “whilst” is certainly a mannerism that an Australian actor could use to portray snooty.
“Beverage”, too. Nobody uses that word here without wanting to sound ironic, or something. “Alcoholic beverage” - you mean a drink?
As an American who lived for half a century on the Canadian border, I have to say that I almost never heard “whilst”, and saw it in print only (a) in British writers or (b) as an affectation (by the writer or the character he was portraying). I did note a very rare usage to substitute it for the durational “while” (“during the same time as”) when the adversative “while” (=“although”) might be mistakenly read.
“Amidst” and “amongst” were still quite rare, but slightly more common. They seemed to carry the connotation of “in the physical midst of” where “amid” and “among” might have a metaphorical sense.
I agree the usage is rare, but Polycarp pretty much describes the slender difference I’ve understood between “while” and “whilst”. Both mean “during, at the same time as”, but the former can also mean “although/even though”, so “whilst” may have a modicum of usefulness left in it.
Let’s see:
“My wife stood while I sat.”
“My wife stood whilst I sat.”
To be honest I do hear a slight difference; “while” in the first seems to emphasize the contrast, but “whilst” in the second simply indicates a circumstance.
I’ll admit others may interpret it differently, and don’t think there’s much point in perpetuating an obsolete grammatical rule; just thought it was interesting.
Can any whilst-user think of a situation where using “while” would actually be incorrect, so “whilst” must be used?
Nope. “While” is fine in all instances, in my opinion.
Not sure about contrast, but I’d agree (from my experience / use of whilst) that the second is circumstance. Making word substitutions (to render the sentences in the way I “hear” them):
“My wife stood for the time period that I sat”
“My wife stood whereas I sat”.
I do too.
The character was Erica Davidson the “governor” of Wentworth Prison and yes her character was VERY upscale. The back story is her father was a judge and other members of her family and inlaws were in the Australian parliament. She is well off financially and has a high social standing in Melbourne.
The actress was Patsy King. I can’t tell an Australian form an English person but on the show there are tons of different accents. So I can’t tell if the word “whilst” was written in for her or she just naturally says it.
I use “gotten” and I’m not American. It’s true that it’s uncommon here, but to me, “gotten” sounds right, and is a very useful word.
I think “fall” for “autumn” is another one of those archaic things, isn’t it? Came with the Mayflower, but died out later at home?
Seems to be the case, yes. The Germanic word “fall” was popular in the 1600s-1700s, then gave way to “autumn” while “fall” remained a colonial usage.
Interesting. I would guess (but am not sure) that “fall” is more common than “autumn” in the US. School starts in the fall. Winter, spring, summer and fall / all you got to do is call, etc. I think of “autumn” as just as correct but slightly more poetic, like calling a trip a journey or a cup a vessel.