as ADJ of a N as

[Barbara Need]

>I think Arnold is right about the split in attitudes toward this
>usage.  I've never used the "of a" structure and don't like it, but I've
>become more tolerant of it.  Is it possibly age-related?  I don't recall
>being aware of it as a kid, but now I hear it everywhere.

I first heard it in Milwaukee in 1982.

Barbara Need
UChicago--Linguistics

>At 01:05 PM 2/20/2004 -0500, you wrote:
>>At 9:52 AM -0800 2/20/04, Arnold M. Zwicky wrote:
>>>
>>>[some fascinating quick googling on "Deg Adv of a" vs. "Deg Adv a".]
>>>
>>>this sort of thing quickly gets addictive...
>>
>>Just encountered in today's N. Y. Times sports section, D2:
>>
>>"I'm not worried about Barry. Barry's too strong of a person for
>>what's he's been through personally and professionally."
>>
>>-S. F. Giants general manager Brian Sabean, on superstar Barry Bonds
>>and the steroid issue