Date:  Mon, 23 Jan 1995 18:56:08 -0600

From:  Joan Livingston-Webber <webber[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]CWIS.UNOMAHA.EDU>

Subject: Re: 2pl



I'm catching up on backlog so this thread may have gone

by the by already. But, in any case, guys does show up

in non-direct address: "What're those guys doing?" but I

think it may need the demonstrative to refer to a mixed

group.



I have always used "guys"--originally as "youns guys" now as

"you guys" as do my daughters. What is different from "man"

is that "man" was always a school form, while schools work

to erdicate "guys." Guess who's winning. The only people

I've heard argue that "you guys" is masculine only are people

overly schooled. I've lived in PA, ND, IN, IL, and NE. I say

"you all" when I need to differentiate sg and pl in a formal

setting. ("You all" on the first day of class to students.

"You guys" on the last day.)

--

Joan Livingston-Webber  webber[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]unomaha.edu

"What gets better is the precision with which we vex each other."

                        -Clifford Geertz