Geocentric lingo
Hi, its me again. I don't know if I still have any readers since I suck at the updating thing... but I am writing for me. Not for you. Wait, thats a lie. I'm not one of those people who needs to write just to feel better or get my thoughts out into cyberspace. I actually do this because I want people to read, have a few laughs, and maybe even comment. I do, however, really respect people who write a lot and do it for themselves.
Now, on with the post...
I have lived in this area for just about a year now. I know, crazy, a whole year. Some things about this Greater NYC region of the world continue to baffle, amaze, amuse and even sometimes frustrate me. Being fairly well-travelled for my age (and really humble too) I have come to understand and accept that there are different terms and phrases depending on where you are... country, city, state, region, county, township, hamlet, continent... whatever. The funny thing is when people think that the way they say it is the only way, and that any other way is not valid. (This happens in other languages as well, of course. Not just English... and I actually think its the hardest part of learning/knowing Spanish, but I digress)
The two things that I have had to learn to say while living here are "down the shore" (already mentioned in previous posts) and "have a catch."
"Down the shore" I can actually live with and accept. They only say it when talking about the Jersey Shore... I think. I could be wrong, but if they were going to Hawaii, I think it would be called the beach.
"Have a catch" is one I just can't get my mind around. How does one have a catch? I really think "play catch" is better verb usage, even if it doesnt make complete sense, it still makes much more sense than "have a catch." In fact, the more I say it/think it, the less it sounds like well English :) My husband says have a catch, Jimmy says it, Kurt says it... and I've only ever heard it down here. Thats fine... but don't even tell me that "have a catch" is the only way to go when referring to throwing the ball around. Use the phrase, its part of your culture and where you grew up... but it doesnt even make sense to the rest of the known world... so don't shun them from society when they question it!
Ok, so I'm going to be teaching 7th and 8th grade English. I think I'll be a prety bad teacher if I get all caught up on things like this. Good thing I have a curriculum. We won't even get into the "soda/pop" debate. Then I'd have to draw a map, and I don't know how to do that on this thing.
Now, on with the post...
I have lived in this area for just about a year now. I know, crazy, a whole year. Some things about this Greater NYC region of the world continue to baffle, amaze, amuse and even sometimes frustrate me. Being fairly well-travelled for my age (and really humble too) I have come to understand and accept that there are different terms and phrases depending on where you are... country, city, state, region, county, township, hamlet, continent... whatever. The funny thing is when people think that the way they say it is the only way, and that any other way is not valid. (This happens in other languages as well, of course. Not just English... and I actually think its the hardest part of learning/knowing Spanish, but I digress)
The two things that I have had to learn to say while living here are "down the shore" (already mentioned in previous posts) and "have a catch."
"Down the shore" I can actually live with and accept. They only say it when talking about the Jersey Shore... I think. I could be wrong, but if they were going to Hawaii, I think it would be called the beach.
"Have a catch" is one I just can't get my mind around. How does one have a catch? I really think "play catch" is better verb usage, even if it doesnt make complete sense, it still makes much more sense than "have a catch." In fact, the more I say it/think it, the less it sounds like well English :) My husband says have a catch, Jimmy says it, Kurt says it... and I've only ever heard it down here. Thats fine... but don't even tell me that "have a catch" is the only way to go when referring to throwing the ball around. Use the phrase, its part of your culture and where you grew up... but it doesnt even make sense to the rest of the known world... so don't shun them from society when they question it!
Ok, so I'm going to be teaching 7th and 8th grade English. I think I'll be a prety bad teacher if I get all caught up on things like this. Good thing I have a curriculum. We won't even get into the "soda/pop" debate. Then I'd have to draw a map, and I don't know how to do that on this thing.