Chapter 5.1 Summary

The author begins by reviewing how Americanisms "had gone over into English" and how English had begun to "get a foothold in the U.S." Both, he reminds, usually happened frequently and quickly. After giving an example, Mencken refers to Farmer, who surveys the introduction and assimilation process of a word. He discusses how this process transpires in four ways or means: 1) by American books, newspapers and magazines; 2) by sailors; 3) by travel/travelers; and 4) by American plays and movies.

It is important for Mencken to note the treatment of Americanisms. He studies the disdain for "American pollutions of the well of English." He shows how the English assimilated numerous Americanisms and documented them as having English origins. He also reiterates how at first the English denounce the language but then treat so much as their own that they fail to acknowledge or "forget...