autograph

[Lynne Murphy]

Greg asked:
> An African (not African-American) student in my American English
> Language class reports being asked at least twice in Florida and
> Tennessee for her "autograph" on a credit card receipt.  She wants to
> know if this is a regional usage.  I told her I didn't think so--that
> now and then clerks here in Chicago have said this to me, and that it
> was probably just coincidence that she heard it twice within a few
> days in the South.
>
> But I told her that I'd write and see if anyone on the list disagreed
> with me.  Any takers?

No, I don't think it's regional.  It's a universal lame attempt at
banter.

Lynne