LL-L "Grammar" 2006.05.10 (08) [E]

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   L O W L A N D S - L * 10 May 2006 * Volume 08
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From: Leslie Decker <leslie at familydecker.org>
Subject: LL-L "Grammar" 2006.05.10 (05) [E]

>From: From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
>Subject: Grammar
>
>Recently, Gabriele mentioned that many Americans say "to wait on" instead
>of "to wait for."
>
>According to most traditional grammars, both of them are grammatical,
>those most dialects these days use "to wait for" in the sense of awaiting
>someone or something and "to wait on" in the sense of serving someone;
>e.g.,
>
>(1) "I'm tired of waiting for you all the time."
>    (I am sick of standing/sitting around until you arrive.)
>
>(2) "I'm tired of waiting on you all the time."
>    (I am sick of you expecting me to be your waiter.)
>
>However, as I said, "to wait on" can mean the same as "to wait for."  It
>is perceived as somewhat odd and old-fashioned by most people now.  It
>occurs a lot in church language, especially in Southern Protestant
>contexts (e.g., the Baptist slogan "Wait on the Lord!"), also "stuffy"
>legal and administrative language (e.g., "waiting on a court decision").
>I have a hunch it is Scottish-derived, because I believe that it is quite
>common in Scots and Scottish English.
>
In my mind, there is a subtle difference between "to wait on" and "to
wait for" someone or something (not counting the sense of 'to be a food
server').  I would use "to wait on" if I felt like it was a long
time--especially if there was some sense of inconvenience to it.

ex:  I've been waiting on you for 2 hours! (and that's a long time, and
I'm rather annoyed about it!)

In this situation, of course, I could say "I've been waiting for you for
two hours!" but it would sound a little more neutral to me.

If I said to someone something like: "Let's split up, and I'll meet you
later,"  I'd be much more likely to follow that up with, "I'll wait for
you at the movies," rather than "I'll wait on you at the movies."

I could be this only person that has this feeling, and I'm sure there
are regional differences (Central Texas German coming out here! It could
be that "to wait for" is the more "foreign" form), but I thought I'd put
my $0.02 in!

Leslie

----------

From: Reuben Epp <reuben at uniserve.com>
Subject: LL-L "Grammar" 2006.05.10 (05) [E]

>>From Reuben Epp reuben at uniserve.com
Subject: Grammar

My choice of correct grammar in English would
be your number (1) as quoted. But I realize that
usages (2) and (3) also appear quite frequently,
especially in spoken English. To me, numbers (2)
and (3) do not make logical sense. I think you
had it right in the first place, Ron.

This reminds me of the confusion as to whether
decisions are taken or made. In my opinion
correct usage would be that it is most correct
to say that the boss makes decisions and his
subordinates take those decisions and carry
them out.

Reuben
>
> From: From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Grammar
>
> Here's a triple whammy:
>
> (1) different from
> (2) different than
> (3) different to
>
> Apparently they all mean the same thing.
>
> I came to the U.S. using (1) and found American (2) strange at first.  In
> the meantime I have heard several British people say (3).  Lately I have
> also heard some non-Americans use (2).
>
> Regards,
> Reinhard/Ron

----------

From: Montgomery Michael <ullans at yahoo.com>
Subject: LL-L "Grammar" 2006.05.10 (05) [E]

Dear Reinhard/Ron,

You are quite correct that "wait on" in the sense of
"wait for" comes from Scotland, mainly through Ulster,
but gosh, your statement that the usage is "somewhat
odd and old-fashioned" is truly a scabrous one.
Several tens of millions of Americans use it in their
everyday speech, including yours truly and most of his
fellow Southerners young and old.

Michael

> From: From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Grammar
>
> Recently, Gabriele mentioned that many Americans say
> "to wait on" instead
> of "to wait for."
>
> According to most traditional grammars, both of them
> are grammatical,
> those most dialects these days use "to wait for" in
> the sense of awaiting
> someone or something and "to wait on" in the sense
> of serving someone;
> e.g.,
>
> (1) "I'm tired of waiting for you all the time."
>     (I am sick of standing/sitting around until you
> arrive.)
>
> (2) "I'm tired of waiting on you all the time."
>     (I am sick of you expecting me to be your
> waiter.)
>
> However, as I said, "to wait on" can mean the same
> as "to wait for."  It
> is perceived as somewhat odd and old-fashioned by
> most people now.  It
> occurs a lot in church language, especially in
> Southern Protestant
> contexts (e.g., the Baptist slogan "Wait on the
> Lord!"), also "stuffy"
> legal and administrative language (e.g., "waiting on
> a court decision").
> I have a hunch it is Scottish-derived, because I
> believe that it is quite
> common in Scots and Scottish English.
>
> Here's a triple whammy:
>
> (1) different from
> (2) different than
> (3) different to
>
> Apparently they all mean the same thing.
>
> I came to the U.S. using (1) and found American (2)
> strange at first.  In
> the meantime I have heard several British people say
> (3).  Lately I have
> also heard some non-Americans use (2).
>
> Regards,
> Reinhard/Ron

----------

From: From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Grammar

Hello, Leslie, Reuben and Michael!

I am happy to see this posting of mine provoked a rare but as always 
substantial response from the three of you.

Leslie, what you said about the semantic differences between "to wait for" 
and "to wait on" rings a bell.  In fact, I have heard people use them in 
those ways.  However, I believe most people just use one or the other.

Michael:

> You are quite correct that "wait on" in the sense of
> "wait for" comes from Scotland, mainly through Ulster,
> but gosh, your statement that the usage is "somewhat
> odd and old-fashioned" is truly a scabrous one.
> Several tens of millions of Americans use it in their
> everyday speech, including yours truly and most of his
> fellow Southerners young and old.

Oy, vey iz mir!  I stand corrected.  "Scabrous," huh?  No, less?  I guess 
that's milder than "scaraboid" or some such.  How can I make it up to you?

Fortunately, the Kahuna (timing impeccable, as always) came around tonight 
and agreed to induct you, Leslie and Tom into his "Hall of Fragrant Names," 
for services rendered past and future.  Reuben had been inducted earlier, 
but he may be one of those who have been unaware of the great honor bestowed 
upon them.  This makes it 76 members of the Illustrious Assembly of 
Fragrantly Named Elders.

http://www.lowlands-l.net/treasures/kahuna.htm

Aloha!
Reinhard/Ron 

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