"electric" = electric power

[Dennis R. Preston]

DARE, however, finds it pretty widespread, with perhaps greater
concentrations in South Midland/Appalachia. It was common among
working class speakers where I grew up (S. IL and IN (Louisville
area).

dInIs

>OED somehow misses this, though it's extremely common in the N. Y.
>metro area. My grandfather (b. 1884) used it all the time.
>
>2005 Brian Kilmeade (from L.I.) on _Fox & Friends_ (Fox News
>Channel) (Sept. 15) : " A hundred thousand people without electric."
>
>
>JL
>
>
>---------------------------------
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--
Dennis R. Preston
University Distinguished Professor
Department of English
Morrill Hall 15-C
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1036 USA
Office: (517) 353-4736
Fax: (517) 353-3755