this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2023
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Showerthoughts

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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Y'all oughtta distinguish "y'all" from "all y'all".

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I thought the distinction was clear:

  • y'all - singular
  • all y'all - plural
[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That's not right:

  • you - singular
  • y'all - plural
  • all y'all - superplural

Y'all refers to multiple people, all y'all refers to multiple groups of people

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

My understanding:

  • you: the person I'm talking to
  • y'all: the group of folks I'm talking to
  • all y'all: y'all, plus anyone else that could possibly be addressed by me (everyone in voice range)

(Agreeing and using different words to say the what I think is the same thing)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I feel like y’all covers up to ~3 and “all y’all” (my favourite Americanism) is reserved for more than that?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

As a born and raised southerner, y'all can be used for one person or many, with no clear limit on the number. All y'all is used to stress a point or to make it clear that it references everyone capable of hearing the message or just anyone who could be intended. All y'all is mainly used, in real world applications, in the sentence "all y'all can go fuck y'allself" or similar.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I thought that's the plural genitive.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

While I won't disagree, is a discussion about "y'all" really the place for a phrase like "plural genitive"? ;)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Southern US English is a language, and is therefore a proper subject for linguistics, so ... yes?