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#3786 06/30/00 01:13 PM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
paulb--
Well, your sneakified (speaking of made-up words!) little
comment about not needing to know the context certainly
piqued my curiosity, darn you! :-)

"a-hold", and such-like, are common speech in Kentucky. Can't say for the rest of the country, but I
suspect this is more common in the South, where people seem
bound and determined to hold on to history, for better or
for worse. Another one, esp. in rural areas, is a-feard.





#3787 06/30/00 11:08 PM
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 444
B
addict
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addict
B
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 444
>> use of the linked words "off of" (where the second word is redundant) <<

Paulb I agree this seems to be of American/Canadian origin. It's one of my pet peeves, for no greater reason than that I find it ugly - after all, everyone understands it.

I've also come across it with the word 'outside', and I find it easier to guess at an origin here:

'The outside of the house is white.'
'Outside the house it is cold and miserable.' (Oh yes it is, in Sydney today )

Given that parts of speech are not taught / corrected, I can understand how many people would not distinguish 'outside' as a noun or a preposition, hence not know when 'of' is required.

Then maybe once 'outside of' is common you can extrapolate from that to 'off of'?


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