[Ads-l] More on "Your Mama" Not in OED

[Bill Mullins]

>   When I mentioned "yo' mama" to "Skip" Gates (chief editor of an important forthcoming dictionary) as a
>   potential entry in his dictionary, he thought that was a great idea

That's certainly a good enough reason.

>   I don't mean to be dismissive of Bill's point,

And I didn't take it to be dismissive.

>   Bill is one of the people whose opinions I value most highly and everything he says is insightful.
Aw, shucks.
You are too kind, Fred.  I am sometimes acutely aware that I am an amateur wading in professional
waters here, and it is gratifying to see it accepted so.


1859 Nashville Republican Banner 11 Feb 2/2 [ProQuest}

But conversation was out of the question. -- Where's your mamma? "Wha yo mama."


1878 Bloomsburg PA The Columbian 5/2 [Genealogybank]

Go ax yo' mamma kin you come up an' play wid me; tell her my mammy sont word for you to come.



1912 Lakeland FL Evening Telegram 30 Jan 7/4 [Genealogybank]

"Yo' mama don't 'low you to go to her cabin," said Billy.




1923 San Antonio Express 27 May  B10/3 [Genealogybank]

She gave "Strut, Miss Lizzie" and "Yo' Got to Se Yo' Mama."




------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org