Comments on: Youse, Y’All, and Other Confusions of Modern English

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:56:42 +0000

I must say, I have enjoyed reading this post, but mostly, I have enjoyed reading the various comments it has produced.

As a southern native in a state that seems to now staunchly deny its ’southern-ness’ (Virginia) and with family from the slightly more southern state of North Carolina (the mountains of Western North Carolina, mind you, where the accent is much more pronounced) I can relate to so many of the ‘y’all’ comments. And the you’ns.

Another contraction I picked up from my mountain-dwelling family; young’ns. (young ones; kids).

Example: Y’all had best grab your young’ns before one of them gets hurt. (which, when spoken sounds more like: Y’all’d bes’ grab yer youngins ‘fore one of ‘em gets hurt. ;D )

That being said, I also seem to pick up the accent of the person I happen to be speaking to, as a previous commenter observed. I find this amusing and strange. Anyone have an idea why this is?

Mr. Ferriss- unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to read your book, but if your blog is any indication of the tone and voice of your book, I’m sure it would be a great read. When I find myself able to afford it, it’s definitely going on the top of my list!! In the meantime, I’m definitely enjoying reading your blog, and I’d like to thank you for taking the time to write it.

~Amanda

By: Ludo

Ludo — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:55:09 +0000

Hi!

I can’t help but comment on the OP’s remark: “After all, German is basically Old English with a funny accent, right?”. Unless I am missing a tongue-in-cheekish attitude here, it needs to be noted that of course it’s the other way round: English is basically (very) old German… ;-)

By: Kath

Kath — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:09:32 +0000

I cringe every time I hear someone say “youse”. Back home (Australia) it’s only the bogans (undereducated Australian versions of rednecks or hicks) who say “youse” and it really grates me. I don’t think anyone in Australia says “y’all” but I like it, and have even wanted to slip it in to conversations. It just seems so relaxed, and I mean when most Australians speak we kind of go into a habit of relaxing and letting all our words run together (even those of us who don’t have accents like Crocodile Dundee!!) e.g. When do you want to leave this afternoon? becomes Whendja wanna leave sarvo? So I like the idea of saying y’all. Anything to shorten a word!

By: Justin

Justin — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 04:36:31 +0000

I live in the northeastern part of Texas and we hear “y’all” quite frequently, but I can’t say that I hear “all y’all” very often. We use “y’all” as a plural. I don’t know why “you all” wouldn’t be plural. It seems quite redundant to say “all you all”.

Y’all have a nice day.

By: Denise

Denise — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:08:46 +0000

I used wicked today out of no where. I surprised myself so much that I don’t even remember the context. I haven’t even seen my best friend from Boston (now DC) since last Christmas!

It’s completely common to use “you guys” in California, although I realize its a generational thing and not really appropriate. However, I can’t think of another option that’s not equally awkward/out of place. I’m just glad people quit using “hella”. That was definitely a Northern Californa thing, as I had never heard it until I moved here from Phoenix.