posted
I had an opportunity to see the legendary folk singer Tom Rush in concert last night, in Easton, Mass. Along with some great music, Tom regaled us of stories from his native New Hampshire and his current home in Wyoming.
A few priceless phrases from New Hampshire: "If it don't rain today it's gonna miss one helluva good chance." Or to someone complaining about winter weather: "I 'spect August will cure this."
A neighbor, a French Canadian, commenting on crime: "I went out for my snowshoes to get from the barn, and there up on the wall they was gone!" ...and on recovering from a hangover: "I feel a helluva lot more like I do now than I did a little while ago I tell ya." ...and ordering breakfast: "Gimme two eggs side-by-each and a pair of toast." ...and finally, on barn repair: "I'm gonna prop her up here with a four-by-twice."
I've always loved language, especially regional and ethnic phrases and terms. Anyone else have some to share?
------------------ "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. - Raoul Duke (Hunter S. Thompson)
Cam Finest Kind Signs 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988"
Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Good topic, I've been thinking of the power of words through fine music. A favourite (UK spelling)of mine is Irish vocalist Sean Keane. He features regularly on a radio show I host called Celtic Connections. One song called The Green Among The Gold recalls the struggle of the Irish leaving their shores for Australia. Here are some of the words: And so beneath the Southern cross They sang their songs of Ireland, They sent her sons and daughters there in the hungry days of old, They played their jigs and reels Beneath the skies of their new homeland, For Irish hands have woven strands of green among the gold.
Nowadays when times are hard at home, Some people take a notion To start a brand new life upon the far side of the globe, And now they find their hearts are stranded somewhere in mid-ocean, Though their days are full of sunshine and their future's full of hope.
Their children sing a broken life of Shearers and bush rangers, They learn to play our music and to dance The steps of old. Though their hearts are in Australia, They never will be strangers To the land they left behind them, They're the green among the gold.
------------------ Gray M. Hodge Cam River Signs Somerset, Tasmania.
posted
Yah, hey! Being originally from over there on the south side of Milwaukee (home to this year's International Panel Jam, which is actually in Waukesha), you could say I got a million of 'em, too! I love regional dialects and sayings, but here's some from my hometown;
Down by where the trolley bends the corner...
Bring me a drink, would ya, from the bubbler, hey...
Husband; Dis meatloaf is ice cold, I kid you not. Wife;I'll bet you a buck two-eighty the stove's on the fritz, ain'a?
Let's go down to the South Shore yacht club and watch the submarine races...
There's more, but I think I got to do some research down by the National Liquor Bar...
Bill Krupinski Jefferson, Wisconsin--moments from Waukesha, home of the SWINE sponsored International Letterheads 2001 Milwaukee Panel Jam & Schmooze-fest DeLuxe, thank you very much!
------------------ wizitude
Posts: 95 | From: Jefferson, WI USA | Registered: Oct 2000
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