if you just said "I gave a book" people would be wondering to what or whom you gave it. Wa-ah...you never let me have any fun! Hey! Faldage, if I can't give a book, can I give a damn?

there may not be the same distinction between "tell" and "say" [yobbity-yobbity]...ah! One eez transitive, the other eez not. I wish my French weren't so rusty; bel, where are you?