Can I get an answer?

[MiniMonty]

Oh world of pain - who else is plagued by "can I get" ?
Or "I get to do this or that" from their kids?
"I might get an opportunity" when what they mean is " I may have an opportunity"?

How has the word "get" morphed within the language so quickly?

What happened to I have an opportunity?
What has happened to I can do this or I could do that?

Anyone else angry about "get" ?
Because I'm getting pretty pissed off...

[FalseWidow]

I cannot hear 'Can I get' without imposing a whiny American accent on it. Hate it.

However, I see no problem with 'I get to do this.' or 'I am going to get the opportunity to... '. You can't abbreviate 'I will have the opportunity to do this' as succinctly, since 'I have to do this' changes the meaning.

[TwoStepsBeyond]

I do hate it in a coffee shop when someone says "can I get..." instead of "please may/can I have..." or "I'd like...". It just sounds so rude.

[LiberalPedant]

It just sounds so rude.

Would "please, may I get . . " be acceptable?

[FalseWidow]

Imo it would at least be more polite, but still sound moronic.

[AlexaChelsea]

Can I get.. Doesn't bother me too much, but I am American and it isn't considered rude there. You're still asking for something, so I don't really see the issue.

I don't like 'give me a..' That's fucking rude.

[Caitycat]

Like False I don't like the first eg but the others don't bother me (although they would upset my mum!)

[FalseWidow]

*sounds

[LiberalPedant]

The Oxford English Dictionary defines "get" as "come to have; receive."
It defines "have" as: "possess, own, or hold."

So, may I get (receive) a coffee, please?
Or may I have (possess) a coffee, please?

Actually, "get" may be the semantically superior choice.