Because X

[Jonathan Lighter]

I've heard this and even used it - humorously only, I hasten to add, in
imitation of the teenage-and-under types who do use it.  Just when or why I
started I can't say, but it hasn't been more than five years or so, possibly
less.

"The Simpsons" is a conceivable source, but that's only a guess. The
construction may never have appeared on "The Simpsons".

Until John pointed it out, I'd never even thought of it as a "construction":
more of a rhetorical device, rather.

To me, "y'know" is probably mandatory. It signals the hilarious
inarticulateness of what follows.

JL

On Tue, Aug 16, 2011 at 10:19 PM, Baker, John <JMB at stradley.com> wrote:

> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
> -----------------------
> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       "Baker, John" <JMB at STRADLEY.COM>
> Subject:      Because X
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> A construction I've noticed in the last year or two, and don't recall =
> having seen discussed here, is in the form Because X, where X is a noun =
> rather than the longer phrase you would expect to see.  The implication =
> is that the mere mention of X is sufficient for a compelling argument.  =
> Sometimes Because and X are separated by "you know."  Here's an example =
> from a recent webcomic strip, Something Positive, =
> http://somethingpositive.net/sp08122011.shtml:
> =20
> Donna:  Vanessa, can I talk to you?
> =20
> Vanessa:  Depends.  Do I have to stop eating cookies?  Cuz, y'know, =
> cookies.
> =20
> =20
> Unfortunately, "because" is a sufficiently common word that it isn't =
> easy to search for the construction.
> =20
> =20
> John Baker
> =20
>
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