Date:  Wed, 10 May 1995 14:10:01 -0500

From:  Molly Dickmeyer <dickmeye[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]JBLSMTP.LIPPINCOTT.COM>

Subject: Not For Nothin' -Reply



The south central Pennsylvania Dutch equivalent is "makes no

nevermind." In the stoic German Protestant way, it is also a way of

denigrating one's own achievements so as not to appear too proud, of

letting someone off the hook, and of indicating that you don't have a

preference, among others.

It is an appropriate response to all of the following questions:

"That's a lovely barn you've built." (in the sense of "Aw, shucks")

"I'm so sorry I ran over your tulip bed." (in the sense of "That's OK")

"Do you want scrapple or pork roll with your breakfast? (in the sense of

"It doesn't matter to me one way or the other")

"I'd like to be an astronaut someday." (in the sense of "It makes no

difference what you want, you won't get it")



Molly Dickmeyer

Medical Editor and former hick

dickmeye[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]lippincott.com