Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 13:32:11 EST

From: Larry Horn LHORN[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]YALEVM.CIS.YALE.EDU

Subject: stay and live



Mark Mandel wonders,



Matthew James Gordon asks about...





The use of "stay" AS OPPOSED TO "live" as in "Where do you stay?" "I

stay in Hammond on 173rd street." (It is clear that the meaning of

temporary residence (e.g. "stay in a hotel") is not intended.) [emphasis

added -- MAM]







I am puzzled by the form of the question. You seem to be talking about

"stay" used as *equivalent* to "live" (in the sense of 'reside' [at a

permanent address]), and that is how respondents have taken it, so I

don't understand why you refer to opposition. Would you please explain?



Actually I thought it was pretty clear in context. "stay" and "live" are in

paradigmatic opposition as semantic equivalents, at least in this context. The

use of "stay" in Dialect S (for Scots-derived, ex hyp.) is in opposition with

the use of "live" in other dialects. This does not preclude my "live" from

being (semantically) equivalent to your "stay".



L