...if you use "gauge" exclusively... Looks suspicously like reverse snobbery.
Is it "reverse snobbery" to use everyday American vernacular, Bob?
England and America have been described as "two nations separated by a common language." As someone noted earlier, suspenders/braces, trunk/boot, elevator/lift, hood/bonnet are among the usages that separate us from our cousins across the water. "I am pi$$ed" has very different meanings in the UK and the US.
The purpose of language is to communicate. Good communication is based on using commonly understood terms. If one says "12 gauge" to shooters anywhere in America, everyone knows exactly what you mean. The same can't be said for "12 bore."
There is nothing inherently wrong about choosing a foreign word over American vernacular - if you feel you need to. The question here is why?
