PlatKat.com: Listen, All Y'all

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Listen, All Y'all

It's a sabotage. And that's the only time you should ever use that phrase.

A fellow ex-Austinite at work just asked me how long it took to drop "y'all" from my vocabulary. I smiled sweetly and replied that I haven't, and wasn't going to. He looked surprised and amused by my response, so I went on to explain that although "y'all" is not a fully accepted form of speech in most areas of the country, I continue to use it when I need to get someone's (or some group's) attention.

Normally, I make a strong effort to speak properly and use slang sparingly among close friends only. This way, when a situation creeps up in which I do not have full command of a room and need it, I throw out a "y'all" and everyone is so surprised, they shut the hell up. I understand that this can be achieved by swearing, but that's something I'd always like to avoid. Swearing in frustration is what simple people do because they can't think of better words to describe how they're feeling. Failing my attempts to keep a clean mouth, I only want to swear when I'm really pissed off and in good company.

My coworker seemed intrigued by the "y'all method", and I hope he tries it. If you decide to try it, keep in mind that it only works outside the South and that results may vary if you or anyone you're talking to has been drinking.

Balls to the wall, y'all! (Translation: Go get 'em, tiger!)

posted by platkat @ 2:11 PM