as well = 'either'

[Jonathan Lighter]

I've been hearing this on TV news several times weekly for at least a couple
of years.  In fact, just like everybody now seems to say "is is," everybody
also seems to say things like, "Nobody was hurt there as well."  (In fact,
everybody now says"just like" instead of "just as" - at least everybody like
me.)

I don't believe I've ever heard a non-TV-newsperson use "as well" in this
way, but maybe I don't get out much.  I do hear "is is."

This "as well" is obviously reminiscent of positive "anymore."

But it's still weird. Has "either" somehow come to seem mystifying?
Irrational? Opaque? Wrong? (Cf. "Never say 'Me either'!")

JL



--
"If the truth is half as bad as I think it is, you can't handle the truth."

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