Grammar gremlins: 'You're welcome' beginning to lose favor in everyday speech

Knoxville News Sentinel ^ | 6/18/6 | DON K. FERGUSON

[SmithL]

"Thank you."

"No problem."

Whatever happened to "You're welcome," the traditional response to "Thank you"?

One handbook, "20th Century Words," says the "no problem" response first appeared in the 1960s as a "polite disclaimer to a suggestion that one has been troubled."

And another, "Garner's Modern American Usage," says that by the 1980s, "You're welcome" apparently started sounding "a little stiff and formal" to some.

As a result, the expression "no problem" became popular with many, especially young people, and its popularity continues today.

"You're welcome" seems to "diminish little by little," Garner says, and though "old-fashioned speakers continue to use it, its future doesn't look bright," Garner says.

Old-fashioned or not, many will disagree with this assessment.

Don K. Ferguson's e-mail address is ferguson759@bellsouth.net.

[SmithL]

I rarely post Don's weekly "Grammar gremlins" column, but I always read them.

[martin_fierro]

You're welcome.

[satchmodog9]

no problem

[chapin2500]

Thank you...

[Salman]

You bet.

:)

[Tax-chick]

What for?

(/jk)

I think people don't use "You're welcome" because they're so confused by the apostrophe.

[nevergore]

I'm apostrophe challenged.......

[Celtjew Libertarian]

My son and I play Disney Toontown. Among the speed-chat phrases are "You're Welcome" and "No problem." I've found that I more often respond to "Thank you" with "No problem," although I do use both.

I think I'm in the minority in doing that, but it's close. I've also noticed that some tend to use "Any time!" as their standard response.

One other thing I have noticed, however, is that "Thank you," is usually offered, when appropriate. So the kids -- I'm guessing Disney Toontown is about two-thirds kids -- are generally polite.

[mtbopfuyn]

People still say, "thank you"?

[martin_fierro]

I'm apostrophe challenged.......

No, no, NO.

IM' apostrophe challenged.

Your welcome.

[JRios1968]

Thats Hugh!

[annie laurie]

I'm apostrophe challenged.......

Hilarious cartoon here:

Bob the Angry Flower

[PeterPrinciple]

this is just the prelim to the ultimate goal of getting us all to say "de nada"

[Tax-chick]

LOL!

[Tax-chick]

this is just the prelim to the ultimate goal of getting us all to say "de nada"

At least it doesn't have an apostrophe. In fact, I don't recall apostrophes in Spanish at all.

[sully777]

Thank you...

---

I HATE when Americans try to use the phrase "No worries" or "Good onya" like they just stepped on our shores from the Australian Outback. Are they not aware that both Americans and Aussies are laughing at them behind their backs.

[MilspecRob]

Darn it, you got the link before I did.

I sent this link to my staff to aid in report writing

[annie laurie]

Yep, it's a classic :)

[annie laurie]

"No worries" is very common in my area. I think the transition is well underway for that phrase to make the cross-cultural jump into common American usage.

"Good on ya" still sounds Aussie to me, though.

[SmithL]

You're welcome.