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Original poster

Disrespectful to make fun of another poster because they speak and write differently because they are from the US

301 replies

StopThinkBeforeYouJudge · 13/03/2023 00:48

Just that really.
I saw a post and within it another poster decided it was annoying the way another poster had written the word "y'all".Plenty of Southerners,not just Texans used this word daily.It was really strange how she kept on about it and even said we "y'all " sayers shouldn't even write it out here on mumsnet. Personally I'm from the state that has lots of tornadoes fyi.
But I've never seen anyone nor would I ever dare tell another poster how to spell words or how to put them on paper,EVER.
It's not a UK,US thing at all.
I just think we need to respect each other more.
I'm aware there will be some that come for me on here,but I will still continue to encourage us all to respect each other more.

OP posts:
Original poster
StopThinkBeforeYouJudge · 15/03/2023 15:56

Gullie · 15/03/2023 02:33

Someone asked this upthread:
The plural for y'all is "all y'all".
(I'm from the South, lol)

You are exactly right,thank you.
I've just said these things all my life I don't even think about it.

OP posts:
NeverApologiseNeverExplain · 15/03/2023 16:06

Gullie · 15/03/2023 02:33

Someone asked this upthread:
The plural for y'all is "all y'all".
(I'm from the South, lol)

But y'all is already plural. "All y'all" is just equivalent to "all of you" in British English.

LadyWindermeresOnlyFans · 15/03/2023 16:13

That's y'all, folks!

Heh heh heh, I do amuse myself Halo

Original poster
StopThinkBeforeYouJudge · 15/03/2023 16:59

LadyWindermeresOnlyFans · 15/03/2023 16:13

That's y'all, folks!

Heh heh heh, I do amuse myself Halo

Hey,I'm amused too,lol!

OP posts:
Corgiorsheepdog · 15/03/2023 21:24

NeverApologiseNeverExplain · 15/03/2023 16:06

But y'all is already plural. "All y'all" is just equivalent to "all of you" in British English.

Show quote history

Yes, but it is often handy to be able to easily distinguish you singular from you plural and lots of places (where English is the first language) do this, at least informally. It's ye where I am for you plural and then it's very natural to say ye all too, just as natural as saying you all. I imagine it's the same for all y'all.

mathanxiety · 15/03/2023 21:45

But y'all is already plural. "All y'all" is just equivalent to "all of you" in British English.

'All y'all' has a slightly different meaning.

'Y'all need to clean up the toys now' is slightly different from 'All y'all need to clean up the toys now'. You're emphasising that everybody has to pitch in in the second one, that equality of contribution to the mess is assumed and equality of cleaning it up is expected.

And just to throw in an extra wrinkle, y'all isn't always plural.

mathanxiety · 15/03/2023 21:52

Here you go, @dreamingbohemian

www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/upper-peninsula-pasties/

Y'all enjoy now!

I fear the great What The Heck Is A Rutabaga controversy might re-erupt from that recipe.

JarByTheDoor · 15/03/2023 22:33

Isn't it a cross between an eggplant and a zucchini?

mathanxiety · 15/03/2023 22:35

Here we go!

JarByTheDoor · 15/03/2023 22:36

😁

BluebellBlueballs · 15/03/2023 22:39

Coyoacan · 13/03/2023 01:47

I'm quite partial to y'all as it is a plural you

Scousers say 'youse' for a plural you

I quite like it, especially in a proper scouse accent

dreamingbohemian · 15/03/2023 22:42

Wow thanks @mathanxiety :)

I don't know what a rutabaga is! Is it like a turnip?

JarByTheDoor · 15/03/2023 23:17

It's a swede — some people call them turnips/yellow turnips I think?

NeverApologiseNeverExplain · 16/03/2023 01:19

mathanxiety · 15/03/2023 21:45

But y'all is already plural. "All y'all" is just equivalent to "all of you" in British English.

'All y'all' has a slightly different meaning.

'Y'all need to clean up the toys now' is slightly different from 'All y'all need to clean up the toys now'. You're emphasising that everybody has to pitch in in the second one, that equality of contribution to the mess is assumed and equality of cleaning it up is expected.

And just to throw in an extra wrinkle, y'all isn't always plural.

How is what you describe any different to saying "all of you need to clean up the mess"?

And can you give an example of "y'all" being used as a singular "you"?

NeverApologiseNeverExplain · 16/03/2023 01:20

JarByTheDoor · 15/03/2023 23:17

It's a swede — some people call them turnips/yellow turnips I think?

Correct. A swede/rutabaga is called a turnip in Scotland.

(And the thing the English call a turnip is a white turnip in Scotland).

Corgiorsheepdog · 16/03/2023 03:10

How is what you describe any different to saying "all of you need to clean up the mess"?

My understanding is that it isn't different, but when y'all is an established term for you plural, why wouldn't you say all y'all instead of all of you?

And can you give an example of "y'all" being used as a singular "you"?
I didn't know it could also be singular so not sure about this...

NeverApologiseNeverExplain · 16/03/2023 07:21

Corgiorsheepdog · 16/03/2023 03:10

How is what you describe any different to saying "all of you need to clean up the mess"?

My understanding is that it isn't different, but when y'all is an established term for you plural, why wouldn't you say all y'all instead of all of you?

And can you give an example of "y'all" being used as a singular "you"?
I didn't know it could also be singular so not sure about this...

Exactly. So "all y'all" is not some special American plural for "y'all", it's just a way of using "y'all" in a sentence...

BlessYourHeartHoney · 16/03/2023 13:10

All y'all is All of you.
Y'all is You all, You guys, Both of you.
Y'all is also General 'You' and/or You people.

BlessYourHeartHoney · 16/03/2023 13:11

You is singular. Y'all is plural.

BlessYourHeartHoney · 16/03/2023 20:08

Just came across this photo and thought of this thread. (Get to the last sentence 🤣)

All y'all have a good evening!

Disrespectful to make fun of another poster because they speak and write differently because they are from the US
LadyWindermeresOnlyFans · 16/03/2023 22:27

🤣

mathanxiety · 16/03/2023 23:15

NeverApologiseNeverExplain · 16/03/2023 01:19

How is what you describe any different to saying "all of you need to clean up the mess"?

And can you give an example of "y'all" being used as a singular "you"?

Show quote history

It's slightly different. Another poster upthread described telling bar customers to sit back down and behave themselves using 'all y'all' to make sure blame for the argy bargy was equally apportioned.

Y'all is often used in the singular - in restaurants, shops, airports.
'Y'all having any trouble finding anything?'
'Y'all want ketchup with that?'
'Y'all are going to have to check that bag'...

NeverApologiseNeverExplain · 17/03/2023 11:13

I read that post. I still don't get how "all of you" does not equally apportion blame in exactly the same way as "all y'all".

The use of "y'all" in a retail context with a singular customer suggests that it has acquired a "formal you" meaning equivalent to "vous" in French.

CarolinaInTheMorning · 17/03/2023 11:58

I'm going to disagree about the singular usage. Maybe in other parts of the country it happens, but in the South, y'all is not used when addressing one person. In fact, one of the ways we make fun of its misuse in movies and TV is to do an exaggerated accent with y'all thrown in at random moments in the direction of a single individual. "You" works fine for us when talking to one person.

mathanxiety · 17/03/2023 15:51

I'm in the Chicago region - I've definitely heard it used in the singular.

I suspect it's taken on a life of its own outside of the South. The blurring of the singular/ plural distinction may be similar to the he-she/ they, their, them shift that has been happening for the last 30-40 years in written and spoken English.

I think it's seen as a less formal and more friendly way to address someone than 'you'. Certainly in an airport setting it came across as less confontational than 'you'.