Posted on 09/20/2021 9:17:02 PM PDT by nickcarraway
There's only one correct way to spell it, y'all
"Bless your heart," "Too big for his britches," and "Well, I s'wanee," just to name a few of our favorites. But the best-known word in the Southern vernacular is probably our most-loved pronoun: y'all. A contraction of "you" and "all," as defined by our Mason Dixonary, "y'all" is used when addressing or referencing two or more people. Though "y'all" is inherently plural, in the instance of addressing a larger group of people, "all y'all" is more of a casual, slang phrase that's sometimes used. Like how all soda is called Coke and all tea is sweet unless otherwise noted, "y'all" is a key piece of Southern verbiage that's deeply engrained in our culture. Even Siri understands what means it now.
There is a correct—and incorrect—way to spell this fond colloquialism, however. This familiar pronoun is included in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a trusted, go-to source for Southern Living copy editors. The only right way to spell the contraction of "you" and "all" is "y'all." "Ya'll" is incorrect and a misspelling of the word, so don't use it. When you think about it, though, "y'all" makes the most sense for how this contraction should be correctly spelled. Put together you-all, and you get "y'all." Just like "cannot" becomes "can't" and "do not" becomes "don't." Think about the term in this sense, and you'll be less likely to misspell it.
So there you have it, y'all. Think you're a pro at Southern sayings? Test your knowledge with "Do You Speak Southern Mama?" and our list of lesser-known Southern sayings. Check out more familiar Southern slang terms to see which ones you use most in everyday conversation.
What's your favorite saying that you can never seem to spell correctly?
Maybe this is a good thread to ask this question:
“I can’t wait till I see you again.”
“I can’t wait ‘til I see you again.”
Obviously the correct one is ‘til, since it means until.
Most of the time when it’s used though, it’s spelled “till.” Why?
Most of them are transplanted Yups who also buy all that “primitive farmhouse décor” at Hobby Lobby, never having lived in anything remotely resembling an actual farmhouse.
Stuff made from chicken wire when they’d probably scream like little girls if a real chicken took a run at them.
Unforgivable.
;D
Y’ouse is the singular version of the southern you.
As from the South, especially the Bible belt, from the English and Scottish immigrants, from the AV or KJV Bible:
The term “Ye all” occurs 14 times in the King James Authorized Version (KJV or AV) of the Bible.
(ex: “John 7:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.”)
“Ye” is plural and used when addressing more than one person.
“Thee” and “thou” are used when addressing a single person.
The term “All ye” occurs 52 times in the KJV/AV.
(ex: “Matthew 11:28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”)
The term “All y’all” does not occur.
Y’all = singular
Alls Y’all = Plural
In NJ, that translates over to 'sucks to be you'.
Hanging on the wall....
I don’t think so.
Y’all MEANS you all.
It’s not singular, it’s plural. Unless there is more than 1 of you. Which is a whole other problem ;)
Damn what I wouldn’t give for one of those.
The plastic crap I have now is useless.
Maybe my swing is overkill but the damn wire handles bend after two swats.
*this*
Find it annoying when I see foreigners use it too on internet threads.
*****
So, when I say y’all here on the thread, does my Boston accent come through?
Which is itself kinda weird because I’m from California and have never been to Boston or Mass.
Just turn ‘em over.... bend it the other way. Real metal windowscreen...that’s hard enough to go find in windowscreens, anymore.
You have no idea how brutal I am to flyswatter handles.
:D
The only screen I can find so far is that crappy fiberglass or plastic junk.
I would have to buy a whole roll of metal screen just to make a decent swatter.
-PJ
I could probably rig something with an old aquarium net, some silicone caulk, and that plastic screen. Rolled up newspapers work, though. Not a bad fly climate, hereabouts.
A .410 and bird shot is out of the question, though.
/but tempting as hell
Colder nights make the little bastards find a way in.
[and Himself can’t remember to shut a door behind him to save his life]
“Prolly” is even worse.
Shows how much you don’t know. Some of us may have known plural from singular but never thought about it. Just didn’t cross our minds. Y’all is compulsive. Ya can’t not say it. If a good person comes to visit and you want them to feel free to return, on their departure you’d say, Y’all come back, ya hear.” It’s the greatest compliment a southerner can give. It is from the heart, inviting someone back to your home. It can be singular or plural. To a southerner it just can’t be helped.
Once’t, when I were just a kid, I’se at a store. This fella drove up an asked Ned, say, “What’s the best road to Atlanta?” Ned allowed as how at the next fork both roads led to Atlanta. “The road on the left is longer but quicker. The road on the right is no account, it’s rougher ‘n a cob.” That was 63 years ago an’ I can remember it like yesterday. I was drinking a Royal Crown co-cola an’ eating a moonpie. ‘T’aint like that no mo’. Mostly, It has been changed by migration. Just a faint resemblance of what the South once was.
Y’all come back, ya hear.
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