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