Posted on 06/18/2006 9:22:44 AM PDT by 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.
Well, no worries!
Well, I've got a problem with that!
So, they're!So, their!
Nevermind, no problem at all.
Worries, mate?
So true. I say "you're welcome" still, but you don't hear it very often these days.
"No, thank you."
Whatever
I tend to use "it's nothing!" and "Any time!" and "You're welcome"...I think I favor "It's nothing," but I haven't counted! Sometimes it's "I'm just glad to help."
No hay problema.
"No problem, whatsoever."
LOL! Good observation, and you may be right - people are totally freaked out by apostrophes and few people seem to know how to use them. Personally, I think their time has come - and gone. You can tell from context whether it's a possessive or a contraction, and the rules on possessives are so variable that even that's not much help. Apostrophes are simply a spelling convention, but they do have a really intimidating effect on people!
As for "You're welcome," it does sound a little stiffer and more formal than "no problem," "sure thing," or any of the alternatives I have heard, and Americans really don't like formality much. As long as people say something, that's good enough for me.
Great sign,..I've known a few Methodists who could profide such help...:^)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.