Bush has not stiffed the English language, but he may have crawfished around it

The Times ^ | September 6, 2002 | Philip Howard

[MadIvan]

It's rare when you see a soft-ish newspaper praise President Bush's eloquence - I thought I'd share this with you lot.

I must admit I am susceptible to the accent that Southern women have - there is something about going into a restaurant in say, Mobile, Alabama and the waitress saying, "Can I get you more coffee, swaaaytie?" ;)

It's the "swaaytie" part not the coffee part that gets me. ;)

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[Sir_Ed]

I like the restaurants in Kansas, where the waitresses always say "You betcha!"

Ed

[MadIvan]

I like the restaurants in Kansas, where the waitresses always say "You betcha!"

I haven't been to Kansas yet, I must admit. Probably Bob Dole's fault. ;)

Regards, Ivan

[BigWaveBetty]

My favorite is strategery. And when I say it with my Southern accent, it makes men weak in the knees. ;-)

[AmericanVictory]

Speaking of restaurants, as we say in the South, Jeetyet?

[MadIvan]

And when I say it with my Southern accent, it makes men weak in the knees. ;-)

Don't try it on me, please - I do need to be able to sit up in my chair today. ;)

Regards, Ivan

[BigWaveBetty]

I do need to be able to sit up in my chair today. ;)

Not to worry Sugar, I'll be judicious with my accent until you're out of earshot. :-)

[piasa]

Woodja lahk some lemon in your ah-has tea? Ah'll put this cornbread on yer placemat ratcheer.

[piasa]

Just wait until the UN translators have to deal with the term "squirrelly."

[MadIvan]

Not to worry Sugar,

Sugar? SUGAR? ;)

Falling out of chair

Regards, Ivan

[kayak]

As a Southern belle who grew up hearing the words stiff, crawfished, and wheedled used in these contexts, I am dumbfounded that the media have made such a big deal of the President's vocabulary. They are showing their own ignorance ....... showing how out of touch they are with the ordinary person ....... and, hopefully, losing some credibility with the sheeple.

This is a really good read, Ivan. Thanks!

[JohnHuang2]

Morning, friend. Thanks for the ping.

[JohnHuang2]

[Pippin]

Thanks for the ping, Kay!

Good read, Ivan!

[Miss Marple]

I am Pretty certain there will be a press briefing with Blair on Saturday or Sunday. I would pay cash money if Tony would throw out "crawfished " in the course of his discussion. Ha!

[ofMagog]

How's your momnthem?

[Dan Day]

“To stiff” has several meanings in British English, either murderous or sexual. George’s application of it, meaning to cheat, will exercise the translators at the General Assembly.

It's exercising Philip Howard, too, apparently.

"Stiff" does not mean "cheat", exactly. It means to intentionally fail to do the right and honorable thing to someone who deserves and expects better treatment from you.

The reason that Bush (and many others) use "colorful" language is because it more precisely conveys exact shades of meaning than more common words or phrases which, through overuse, have become too broad or homogenized in meaning.

[Dan Day]

there is something about going into a restaurant in say, Mobile, Alabama and the waitress saying, "Can I get you more coffee, swaaaytie?" ;)

I was on a long drive, paying little attention to the roadsigns because I had to stay on the same freeway for another thousand miles. As I approached a city I pulled off to get a meal, and I asked the waitress if she could please tell me where I was.

She answered, "Loovul". Huh? "Loovul", she repeated. I had to check the newspaper lying on the counter to figure out I was in Louiseville, Kentucky.

[Luke FReeman]

Speaking of restaurants, as we say in the South, Jeetyet?

Nope! Chew?