Not!

Jesse Sheidlower jester at PANIX.COM
Fri Sep 19 02:42:03 UTC 2003


On Thu, Sep 18, 2003 at 10:32:38PM -0400, Baker, John wrote:
> I believe that we may have discussed "Not!" a while back, but it isn't an easy term to search for.  I happened to come across this example from the classic short story "Pigs Is Pigs," written by Ellis Parker Butler and published in 1906.  The speaker is a stereotypical Irish-American, the agent of an express company in a small New Jersey town.
>
>
>
> >>"Proceed to collect," he said softly.  "How thim clerks do loike to be talkin'!  _Me_ proceed to collect two dollars and twinty-foive cints off Misther Morehouse! I wonder do thim clerks _know_ Misther Morehouse?  I'll git it!  Oh, yes! 'Misther Morehouse, two an' a quarter, plaze.' 'Cert'nly, me dear frind F'annery.  Delighted!' _Not!"_<<
>

Yes, this example--which was actually first published in
1905--was quoted in Sheidlower & Lighter's _American Speech_
article on the term, and also appears in HDAS.

Jesse Sheidlower
OED



More information about the Ads-l mailing list