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#20991 03/03/01 10:24 PM
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Jackie Offline OP
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Points to anyone who can post what this word means. Extra
credit for correct punctuation.

Xara, Jeffrey, and Alex, you are disqualified from responding, unless you genuinely have no idea. You too,
Anna, if your specialized background gives you this knowledge. Jazzo., if you know--keep mum.

If no one posts the correct answer first, I'll do it after the on-line-at-work-only folks have had a chance to view it.

Hint: it is VERY loosely related to the word 'treckly'.


#20992 03/03/01 10:42 PM
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Ah, shucks, Jackie... [draggin'-toe-in-dirt emoticon]... I allow as how I might rightly know them thar words, and wouldn't be s'prised no how if they ain't current in some o' them ole countries that done did settle our lil piece o' heaven.
But I shall bide my time... and wait for the first scallywag to google and claim prior knowledge.


#20993 03/03/01 10:55 PM
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wwh Offline
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W





Dear Jackie: Wunst upon a time, I think I knew.






#20994 03/03/01 11:09 PM
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onct (oncet) upon a time there were many strange variations on the spellings* (and pronunciations) of these numerical adverbs; twict (twicet) I have found entries now in the OED, which accompanying citations; e.g., 1934 C. Carmer "Chillun... think twict befo' yuh speak onct."

see, the thing about the OED is that it has a comprehensive descriptive history of our language up until about 1985, including much English and American dialect. (and if I can't find it there, I can always resort to DARE ;)

*(twaIs) Forms: 2–5 twies, 4 twyese, tweis, 4–5 twyys, tweies, 4–6 twyes, twys, Sc. twyss, 4 (7 Sc.) tuis, 4–7 twyse, twise, 5 tweys, 5 (6 Sc.) twyis, tuyse, 5–6 twis, Sc. tuys(s, 6 Sc. twyiss, tweyss, tuyss, tuise, 7 twyce, 5– twice; 6 twyst, 7 twist, 9 dial. twyste, twiste, 9– dial. twicet, twict.

#20995 03/03/01 11:23 PM
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Jackie Offline OP
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see, the thing about the OED is

Dam' Yankee. [snorting in disgusted retreat emoticon]

But you didn't mention this is still in use!
[illusion of one shred of dignity emoticon]


#20996 03/03/01 11:56 PM
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jmh Offline
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>think twict befo' yuh speak onct

And the famous AWAD motto "think twict befo' yuh post onct".


#20997 03/04/01 12:11 AM
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Around here, Pennsylvania Dutchies say "onct", but it sounds more like "vunst" and is used in a different way. For instance, you might say "Come over and visit vunst!" (Meaning "Come over and visit sometime!" or something close to that.) Its precise meaning seems to vary with the situation.


#20998 03/04/01 01:32 AM
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I wouldn't have known this except for the fact that our very sarcastic divisional manager will only write his subordinates a nice note or e-mail (for thank-you, congratulations or whatever) using such archaic language as "onct" (once), "twict" (twice), "anon", and others I forget because I don't get them...

Even so, I may be wrong. In addition, I have no idea how this is all connected to treckly... was it treckly?



#20999 03/04/01 09:15 AM
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jmh Offline
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Treckly is a description of a form of speech which maximises the use of split infinitives. It is fairly easy to speak in a treckly way but I would not boldly go there.


#21000 03/04/01 05:21 PM
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old hand
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Jazzo., if you know--keep mum.

Cincinnata ain't in the suthrin US! I didn't have a clue, Ms. Jackie.


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