This paper explores Norwegian adolescent English L2 learners' attitudes towards US and UK varieties of English and judges the role of social appraisal for second language (L2) pronunciation choices. Whereas American English makes up the most open English accent and the elected L2 choice, Standard Southern British English preserves its status as most reputable English accent and formal teaching standard. Learners though also evade standard varieties as L2 targets in the Norwegian tradition of impeaching standard language norms. The study of social motivations for L2 conduct add to the current discourse on global English spread and local English appropriation.