I have been in the mountains of the Carolinas and W Virginia where people call each other “cousin,” thinking that they are probably related in some manner somewhere along the line (but wish they weren’t). They know full well that “cousin” doesn’t always mean son-of-my-mother’s-sister, etc. The English-speaking world is not made up of Carolinas and W. Virginia. The English-speaking world is vast and culturally heterogenius. The words used in common usage should be those that are unambiguously understood by all English-speaking people, not just some isolated areas.
Now I’m wondering why the moderator of this thread get’s on my case but doesn’t get on yours
You have to play by the rules.
“The English-speaking world is not made up of Carolinas and W. Virginia.”
But they are the commoners, bless the Lord.
“The words used in common usage should be those that are unambiguously understood by all English-speaking people, . . “
Does that mean all English-speaking people world-wide, or only in the States. I ask because there might be 250 million people in the USA who have quit using some expressions, and 250 million English speakers elsewhere who still use them. And then, of course, when you add West Virginians and Carolinians to the foreign English Speakers who still use “cousin” in the more general, looser sense, (Ha!) Then W. Virginia and Carolina belong to the majority, and are no longer so “isolated.” It is only further proof that Americans should learn English, and quit worrying about archaic words in a KJB. LEARN the words. Use them. Our Chinese students use the KJB and use many of the expression in their everyday English. Its quite nice. When they meet other foreigners, they are always complimented and people are amazed at how they are able to use KJB English.