autograph

[Bob Haas]

I've heard it often in western and central NC, from clerks to UPS-folk.  I
think it's a fun way to deal with a mundane chore, and very civil at that.
I dunno about the rest of you, but I find civility becoming a commodity of
greater and greater value.

BTW, I think most people who employ this usage appreciate the irony, but I
prefer to overestimate the company I keep.  Call me Pollyanna.

bob-byanna

> From: Lynne Murphy <lynnem at COGS.SUSX.AC.UK>
> Reply-To: American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Date: Mon, 10 Jul 2000 20:13:50 +0100
> To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> Subject: Re: autograph
>
> No, I don't think it's regional.  It's a universal lame attempt at
> banter.