Date: Thu, 24 Nov 1994 08:58:21 -0800

From: Dan Alford dalford[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]S1.CSUHAYWARD.EDU

Subject: Re: *fixin' to* and *like to* -- Dialectal Aspects



Allen Maberry writes:

I have always heard "fixin' to" as meaning "I am about to

..." with the cosequence being more or less remote (Country Joe's Fixin

to die rag). On the other hand, I take "liketa' " as meaning something

like "could have (but didn't really)" as in He liketa bust a gut

laughing, etc. I think I have heard "liketa" with other than strictly

past tense verbs. Or maybe my memory is gettin' hazy.

Allen

maberry[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]u.washington.edu



Interesting distinction! I'd be surprised if 'liketa' could be used with

other than past tense, and would love to see such. Any others?

-- Moonhawk (%- )

"The fool on the hill sees the sun going down and

the eyes in his head see the world spinning round"

-- McCartney/Lennon