Date: Fri, 20 Oct 1995 09:09:44 -0500

From: Katherine Catmull kate[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]BGA.COM

Subject: Re: y'all are crazy



On Fri, 20 Oct 1995, Merri Lisa Johnson wrote:



It may appear at times

that "y'all" is being used in the singular, but I assure you that is not

the case. I liked Tom Wharriet's explanation of the implied plural

meaning "you and yours." I think that thorough research would conclude

that there is always some implied or connoted plural meaning even when it

might seem otherwise.



I agree thoroughly with Merri and Tom, and I've lived in the south for

most of my 37 years, most of those in Texas. The _only_ times I've ever

heard "y'all" used as a true singular was by new (and tin-eared) arrivals

to the south who were just beginning to try out the expression. Oh--I've also

heard it used that way in movies and on TV, which figures. But by those to

whom the expression is native--no, never.



Kate Catmull kate[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]bga.com