American Grammar

[oldnslo]

Could it have something to do with the "gangsta" being glorified in teen society? Thinking about it, the clothing, the hats sideways and backwards, it seems a lot of kids try to emulate the gangsters they see on TV and in movies. I was amazed to see my grandsons adopt the clothing and speech patterns when they were about 10-12 years old. My wife even took a knife off of one of them. This sure isn't the way things were when I was growing up. I was diagramming sentences and trying to learn proper language usage, dressed in ordinary jeans, with a plain tee shirt , not one that said "f**k you", and never would have thought of wearing my hat any way but straight ahead. Did we create the strangers in our midst, or did we just enable them to be this way by not using the "n" word enough and letting them run their homes instead of the adults who were supposed to be in charge?
Oh, yeah, I almost forgot what the topic was.....but I'm sure you see what I'm sayin'.

[BuzZz]

Grammar is the lady Grandpa used to put the wood to.

You are right about 'them' vs 'those', ect. and I can see how it might get on a person's nerves. But I'll counter by saying you Ausies(and the Britts ) have an annoying habit of adding a 'y' to the end of everthing and making it sound silly.

'Put another shrimp on the BARBY' for example.

Watch the Footy? How do you expect to be taken as a serious, macho kinda guy while saying that?

Them is some seriously odd sounding words to the North American ear....

Back at ya, Dude! How do you like them apples?

[CentralOzzy]

You are right about 'them' vs 'those', ect. and I can see how it might get on a person's nerves. But I'll counter by saying you Ausies (and the Britts ) have an annoying habit of adding a 'y' to the end of everthing and making it sound silly.
'Put another shrimp on the BARBY' for example.
Watch the Footy? How do you expect to be taken as a serious, macho kinda guy while saying that?
Them is some seriously odd sounding words to the North American ear....
Back at ya, Dude! How do you like them apples?

Hey Matey!....errrr....sorry Mate! (No 'Y')

Don't sweat it, your not in Australia or England so it shouldn't be a prob. for your delicate ears - EH?

Cause your living in Canada EH.

I've never thrown any shrimps on my BARBIE yet, EH.

Anyways, what do YOU folks call a BBQ, just a BBQ, EH.

As far as Footy is concerned, are we supposed to say....Hey I went to the FOOT (instead of Footy) the other day? (EH.)

What should we say?

[oldnslo]

Youse guys sure gripe a lot. What is a "footy", eh? Izzat somethin like a "booty"?

[cb360]

I've traveled to about twenty-five different countries and even lived in a couple of them for some time. I was born on the east coast of the US, grew up in the southeast and have lived the last 13 years in the pacific northwest. It is my considered opinion after all this research that we all sound funny at least some of the time. I love hearing different accents and new words from time to time.

[CentralOzzy]

OK, just to re-focus on the Topic a bit, it's not about the Accent or the new Lingo etc. It's about the 'Grammar', Know what I'm Sayin'?

[BuzZz]

I'm old enough to know correct and proper grammer and all the other language skills that make english so much fun to make sense of... but the fact is, I am too lazy. I use the F-word about every 3 or 4 words in normal conversation, combined with bastardized versions of other common, simple words.

I am guilty of them kinds of transgressions alright, and could change and correct my language usesage skills, but who are we kidding? We both know I'm too lazy and obstinant to bother.

The fact that it winds summa yous guys up is pure gravy......

Who ever them guys is....

[Nibblet99]

Quick, lets all learn arabic, so we can feel at home, when the middle east develop weapons of mass destruction, and conquer us

[CentralOzzy]

I am guilty of them kinds of transgressions alright, and could change and correct my language usesage skills

Scoff scoff....sure Pal....snigga snigga.

Hang on! the Footy's on TV....see yuz later.

P.S. Did I mention I'm having a 'Ride In" Barby on the weekend?

[Loonette]

What on earth is a "footy"? Please explain.

Cheers,
Loonette