|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
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'.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
W
Dear Jackie: Wunst upon a time, I think I knew.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
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]
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
Pooh-Bah
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981 |
>think twict befo' yuh speak onct
And the famous AWAD motto "think twict befo' yuh post onct".
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 328
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 328 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 427
addict
|
addict
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 427 |
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?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
Pooh-Bah
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,094
old hand
|
old hand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,094 |
Jazzo., if you know--keep mum.
Cincinnata ain't in the suthrin US! I didn't have a clue, Ms. Jackie.
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,417
Members9,182
|
Most Online3,341 Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
0 members (),
938
guests, and
3
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|