Double modal

[Dennis R. Preston]

Shibboleth? Are smart-ass Northerners stationed at the I-65 bridge in
southern Indiana just a-waiten to slay any double modaller (?) who
dares to cross? What's the eliciting phrase? (Can you touch your
toes?)

You knbow, they's a heckuva lot of bridges along that river. Maybe a
big fence and some nasty guard dogs would be a sight better.

dInIs

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>Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
>Poster:       James Knight <jamesknight at CENTURYTEL.NET>
>Subject:      Re: Double modal
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Is that the same species as one of Jeff Foxworthy's "You might be a
>redneck..." shibboleths,
>
>          _I used t' could'a'_
>
>?
>
>-jk
>
>At 09:35 AM 12/28/2006, Scot LaFaive wrote:
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>>Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
>>Poster:       Scot LaFaive <spiderrmonkey at HOTMAIL.COM>
>>Subject:      Double modal
>>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>This weekend, while suffering through "Smoky Mountain Christmas" starring
>>Lee Majors and Dolly Parton, I heard Lee Majors' character use a double
>>modal ("might could"). This isn't thrilling (esp. considering that at least
>>one of writers is from the South as is Lee Majors), but it did stand out a
>>little. I was surprised that a cheesy, feel-good, mass market movie would
>>use a double modal that might frighten the Northerners.
>>Just thought it was worth noting.
>>
>>Scot
>>
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--
It should be the chief aim of a university professor to exhibit
himself in his own true character - that is, as an ignorant man [sic]
thinking, actively utilizing his small share of knowledge. Alfred
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There are many different religions in this world, but if you look at
them carefully, you'll see that they all have one thing in common:
They were invented by a giant, superintelligent slug named Dennis.
Homer Simpson

Dennis R. Preston
University Distinguished Professor
Department of English
15-C Morrill Hall
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1036
Phone: (517) 353-4736
Fax: (517) 353-3755
preston at msu.edu

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