American Humor Outed

The Guardian’s New York office has maintained its English 2 English blog since April (it’s an “attempt to chronicle and catalogue” the “cultural differences” between the company’s British and American employees), but I’ve just come across it today, when this entry popped up:

Not strictly a translation as much as an explanation. I’m a Brit and I recently came across the phrase “more cowbell”. I’ve managed to find out where it comes from but I don’t really understand how it’s used now.

You mean other than just people referencing this SNL skit, over and over again? Doesn’t really happen.

No idea where this stereotype comes from. (More interpretations here. Also useful.)