I love our accents. I grew up in an Irish-cop family where they really spoke with “d’s and dem’s” - as well as saying “erl” for “oil” and “terlet” for “toilet.” (The Irish, I believe, have no “th” sound in their language so it became a “d” sound. When they controlled NYC, they controlled the accent.) Most of that is gone now, but the “d” for “th” remains.
It’s so nice to meet a fellow Conservative New Yorker!
I am a New Yorker at large.
My students often say, en masse, “say kwafee”. I tell them to “get back to work”.
Irish indeed.
I never noticed the linguistics re the Irish. I believe you have a good point. I know the German influence is there. They cannot say “th”. Used to drive them crazy (Germans) when I would get them prepared for a visit from a cousin “Marybeth, Kathleen”- Of curse, Caitlin in the Irish.
German, Yiddish, Dutch, Irish, I guess Italian, and the need for speed in communicating all contribute.
Small world story - -
We are conservative ex-Long Islanders (Queens Village; and Plainview/Hicksville and E. Northport), out in So. Calif. now, 43 years.
A few years ago we were in Manhattan, and our CA son-in-law asked why there were mounteds in NYC.
Entering a subway ramp, I saw 2 cops leaning against the wall, one twirling a billy-club. I went up to him and asked the question about mounteds. Got answers, we chatted, and eventually one asked me: “Where ya frum??”
Told him a small town in So. CA and he said, “That’s where my Aunt Marion lives!’
My family had continued walking, so I called them back and told them this.
Husband says, ‘Your aunt Marion??? I just played golf last week with your Uncle Paul!!!’