In the United States, we have an odd habit (well, at least one). In late September we start talking about Fall. That’s our descriptive word for the change of seasons. For us, the word Autumn is considered stuffy, overly formal, or poetic.
Meanwhile in Britain, Autumn is the preferred word for the third season of the year in the northern hemisphere. There, fall is an action. According to historians, it was not always that way. The word Autumn’s first recorded use was in the 1200s. The word is derived from the French autompne or automne. Before that time and until the 1600s the season was most often called Harvest.
“Fall of the leaves” was another standard phrase. It was abbreviated to simply the first word in the 1600s, as British folks were moving across the pond to North America. Although, in the British Isles, Autumn won the common usage popularity contest. Since the 1800s Fall’s been our preferred title for the season in the US.
Canadians seem to prefer the word Fall for Autumn as well.
Which do you prefer to use?
Gracias for visiting Fake Flamenco! I appreciate your comments. ¡Olé! –Rebecca
This post is part of Six Word Saturday. Check out Debbie and Friends’ fabulous photos.
#6WS #SixWordSaturday
Fake Flamenco 
Whatever we call it, I like your images, Rebecca
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Thanks very much, Debbie for your kind words.
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Interesting Rebecca! And that maple is just grand! 🌞
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Thank you. I pulled over as I was driving to get the shot. : )
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Naturally, I would pick Autumn… Probably because of my French roots. But when I write in my blog, I tend to use Fall more, because most of the people who read me are from the US.
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Thanks, Cyranny. That shows the thought that goes into your posts. Interesting distinction.
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As a former British colonial subject, I grew up with the term autumn for this season of the year. In Guyana, there are only two seasons–the dry and rainy seasons. Fall doesn’t work so well here in Southern California since we don’t have that many trees that lose their leaves. But, as the preferred word in the US, I use Fall for this time of year.
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Thanks for your detailed reply, Rosaliene! I appreciate the information that Autumn is used in Guyana. Funny how we can use a word like Fall when it doesn’t actually apply, like in the SW United States!
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I like the maple photo, Rebecca, as I’m missing the color change I’m used to seeing in the Midwest. I tend to use “fall”, but not much falling here in Arizona. Either works for me.
janet
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Thank you, Janet. Maples are wonderful this time of year. Yes, either Fall or Autumn works for me too. Have a great weekend!
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I prefer autumn, but that is because it’s what we have always called it and so it seems ‘correct’. However, Fall, does seem like a more logical word because it is describing what is happening. I love the photo of the maple tree.
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Yes, it’s funny how I have specific uses for each word. At times it depends on audience, if the person grew up speaking British English, I tend to use autumn. But Fall is what comes naturally : ) Thanks for the compliment. That tree was a looker!
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When I lived in California for a couple of years I found myself doing just that – if I spoke to a British English speaker I called it autumn, otherwise it was Fall. 🙂
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Thanks for your comment, Elaine. Interesting that you did the same thing.
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Autumnal Greetings, Rebecca!
Elizabeth Barrett ebarrett@tds.net
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Thanks, Elizabeth! To you and Sam as well : )
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Lovely post highlighting a season of transference towards winter. In my language it is otoño, autumn as I learned it in English. When I went to the US I heard not just this word but many more that were different but we all communicate and that is the most important thing we should all strive for. Smashing photography Rebecca!
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Thanks for your comments, Francisco. I appreciate your compliment on the photos. Saludos!
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My pleasure Rebecca! Un saludo 👋🏻
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In Canada, we tend to use both, sometimes in the same sentence. LOL
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I prefer autumn! But sometimes, I use both!
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Interesting! Is Autumn most commonly used in Ireland?
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Yep, we say autumn here to not fall
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That was my guess, thanks for the confirmation.
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You’re welcome 🙂
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