Wrong and Holla

[Benjamin Barrett]

This use seems definitely different to me. As a native speaker of English,
I'm certainly aware that wrong can mean unjust, etc., but this is different.
The intonation is similar to "That is phat!"

Beyond that, I don't know if I can explain it, but there is definitely a
difference from the uses of the "this is wrong" I've always heard in the
past.

Benjamin Barrett

>-----Original Message-----
>From: American Dialect Society [mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU]
>On Behalf Of RonButters at AOL.COM
>
>In a message dated 3/4/04 1:35:11 PM, bjb5 at U.WASHINGTON.EDU writes:
>
>
>> I think that accent must be the identifying marker that sets
>it apart
>> from the more normal use Larry Horn cites. It includes a sense of
>> being aggrieved.
>>
>
>I don't think that "accent" is an issue at all. I didn't check
>the OED to see how old this usage is, but ordinary
>dictionaries (e.g., AH4) have the meaning 'unfair; unjust' (as
>#3 in AH4) and 'immoral' (as #2 ion AH4). And the usage is all
>over the place on the intenet, e.g.,
>
>
> When a religious person does a thing that he recognizes as
>being wrong and immoral, his illusion of a "Higher Power" and
>a "Greater Morality" allows them to perform some ritual,
>confession, or prayer, and presto, miraculously, "all their
>sins are taken away", and they are free again from all pains
>of conscience and regret. Such foolish illusions do not
>comfort the Atheist mind. The Atheist knows there is no
>morality above right and wrong, and no escape from the pains
>of conscience and remorse.
>
>(Note also the use of 'them' to refer to a singular subject.)
>
>Indeed, as a noun, it seems to me that the primary meaning of
>WRONG is 'injustice'.
>
>It seems to me that it is context, not intonation and stress,
>that clarify "This is WRONG!" refers to a mistake, an
>injustice, or an immoral action.
>