"PC" instead of "computer"

[Boris Tatarenko]

Hello.

Can I use "PC" instead of "computer" in spoken English? I mean do people understand me?
For instance: "Dude, I don't know what the heck with my PC"

and

What do you think about a word "heck"? Does it sound offensive?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tdol]

You can, but I'd use what the heck is up/wrong with my PC. Heck doesn't sound offensive to me, but it is slang so only use it where appropriate.

 

[Raymott]

Hello.

Can I use "PC" instead of "computer" in spoken English? I mean do people understand me?
For instance: "Dude, I don't know what the heck with my PC"

and

What do you think about a word "heck"? Does it sound offensive?

Thanks in advance.

PC means "personal computer". If you have a Cray Supercomputer that takes up three specially air-conditioned rooms, you can't refer to it as a PC. The terms aren't interchangeable. A PC is a subset of computers.
Also, an Apple Mac is not a PC. A PC is an IBM clone (Or was 10 years ago - "Do you have a PC or a Mac?")
I don't know where they draw the line now. A PC used to be a desktop computer; now you have tablets and pods and pads ...

"Heck" isn't offensive to me; but the way you've used it is not English.

 

[Boris Tatarenko]

Can you show an English way of usage "heck" ? :-D

 

[5jj]

Can you show an English way of usage "heck" ? :-D

Tdol did.

 

[emsr2d2]

There is still a distinction drawn between the types of computer. I was recently asked "Do you have a PC or a laptop?" To which my answer was "Neither. I have a MacBook Pro". Whilst I suppose it is technically a laptop (rather than a desktop), Apple certainly make the distinction.

 

[Grumpy]

The word "heck" is, of course, a supposedly inoffensive substitute for the word "hell". I shouldn't think anyone would find it offensive these days, but it's not often used in British English. We either use the original "hell", or an all-purpose obscene word. Come to that, Brits don't call people "Dude" either; unless we are self-consciously trying to appear American.

 

[Boris Tatarenko]

All my friends are from the US and sometimes I hear new words. Therefore I think my vocabulary looks like an american vocabulary.

 

[MikeNewYork]

All my friends are from the US and sometimes I hear new words. Therefore I think my vocabulary looks like an american vocabulary.

I can't imagine an AmE speaker being bothered by the word "heck".

 

[emsr2d2]

Personally, I don't know anyone who would be offended by "heck" but then I don't know anyone who would be offended by "hell" either, the word for which "heck" is supposed to be a politer replacement.

My very British flatmate calls a lot of people "dude" and he's certainly not trying to sound American.

 

[Grumpy]

My very British flatmate calls a lot of people "dude" ....

Then please pass him my compliments, and request that he desist forthwith.





.....somehow I don't think that's going to happen.

 

[emsr2d2]

Then please pass him my compliments, and request that he desist forthwith.





.....somehow I don't think that's going to happen.

Haha! I'll tell him but I think you're right.

 

[Boris Tatarenko]

Sorry, but I don't see any problem with your flatmate.
Can you exaplain to me exactly why he can't say "dude"?
You took my interest.

 

[Tdol]

Some American terms don't catch on in the UK. This is one- not many people use it. For some reason, I wouldn't use it or buddy- they both sound strange to me in BrE.

 

[Grumpy]

Sorry, Boris. I didn't mean to confuse you. It was just a light-hearted comment [also known as "banter"], not meant to be taken seriously at all.