The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-04-14
A mseriea MAINS.


the Ensiish Language" In the American Reyiew.l
The origin and perpetuity of many Of
our queer and outofthe-way phrases, may
be traced to the semi-annual meetings oil
gentlemen OF the bar at the courts Of oU
Southern and Western States.
These gentlemen, living as they do in
the thinly inhabited portion Of our land,
and among class OF persons generally
very far their interiors in point OF educa
ton, rarely enjoying anything that may de-
serve the name OF Intellectual society, are
too apt to seek for amusement in listening
to the droIl stories and odd things Away,
to be heard at the country store or bar.
room. Every new expression and queer
tale is treasured up, and new ones manu-
featured against the happy time when they
shall meet their brotherain-lasc at the ap
preaching term Of the district court.
If ever pure fun, broad humor, and
Laughter holding both his sides, reign
supreme, it is during the evening OF these
sessions. Each one empties and distributes
his well-6lled budget Of wit and oddities,
receiving ample payment in like coin. which
he pouches, to again disseminate at his ear
liesS opportunity.
Although We may lay down as a general
rule, that the same words and phrases pre-
vail through the South and West, yet al
most every State has its local peculiarities;
Texas. for instance. the large admixture Of
Spanish words Louisiana Of French; Geor.
gia and Alabama borrow many from the
Indians. North Carolina is notorious for
a peculiar aatness Of pronunciation in such
words as crap for "croP." earn for "corn, -
pesrt for "pert," &c. al alloso, meaning
al think." 81 consider" is, we believe Of
Alabama origin, and so is that funny ex-
preston, done gone, dome done, implying
ALREADY gone," and "already done" In
Virginia, many oil the lower class pro.
nounce III as d-dsa for "that," dar for
"there," DDS for ''this."
These and other similar derelictions may
be traced to the facr that all children are
inclined to make companions Of the me-
groes, listen to queer rambling tales, &C.
company them upon their coon hunts &C.,
and thus acquire negro style ofpronuncia-
tion, and many negro words that nothing,
save good education. can eradicate, and
even that does not always perfectly sue
coed. ----z---.-
There are two great and distinct classes
in the United States, the Yankee and the
Virginian; the former occupying the New
England States, and thence spreading in
almost every direction, claiming great por.
tion,f the State OF Ohio, and even share
of Indiana and llErois, although in these
two last mentioned States the southern pc
culiarires Of speech are more common; the
latter properly commencing at that imagin-
airy division, mason and Dixou's line, and
thence running south and west The in
States are, divided between the
two. Although New York. Pennsylvania,
and New Jersey, havu been well iuoculated
with a solid basis OF Dutch and Swedish in
their infancy, yet save here and there some
stray neighborhood Of ancient Hollanders or
sturdy Swedes, whose manners, customs,
and language, our intrusive Yankees have
been unable TO corrupt, few terms and
phrases that have creEa into general usage
alone give token that u foreign tongue once
'eigned over so large a section Of our
and.
The distinction between these two great
classes (thc Yankee and the Virginian) is |
% wide and 30 clearly drawn, as to be Wis |
bic and palpsble to every casual observer.
Should one. however, ever hesitate as to the |
,lase Of nativity of one OF our free and en-.
ightened citizens, thers exists test, which,
,otent as the spear OF lthuriel, will dispel
III clouds OF doubt TINT may ovsrshadow
lis mind. Let the person in question be
equested to give an opinion upon any sub
oct. Should he guess write him down
Tankee; does he recktn, you may swear
i'm Southern. The Yankee g,iesses, the
southern reckons, which our New England
Iiend never does, except by and with the
id, assistance, and advice, OF that estima-
lie arithmetician and pedagogue. Nathan
)aboll, Esq. Per co,ntra, however, the
'ankee calculates. and pretty shrowedly
$50, while the Southern alloscs. The one
'ouldnt iconder il some expected event !
,ould take place, while the other more ar ,
snt and careless Of assertion. goes his !
:ah upon IL that it will. To tho latter, 9
'awing his comparison from his idolised Ia