In a thread in the Kliros subforum, there is a discussion about differences in pronunciation of Old Slavonic by native speakers of various countries. DMD made a light-hearted remark about the fact that now, with the use of English, it's even ok if, in NJ, one chants in Pitssburgheese - and that reminded me of something.
It's not anywhere near as intellectual a topic but, within the past 6 months, in the course of some travel through the New England and Mid-Atlantic states, I've encountered these gems:
Toll-taker: Hmm, you've got snow on your car.
Me: Yep
Toll-taker: Hasn't snowed here.
Me: No, I see that
Toll-taker: Guess you got that snow someplace else.
Me: Yeah, it was snowing in Massachusetts
Toll-taker: See, I knew you didn't get it here.
Traffic advisory on local radio station: Due to construction, all lanes of the ______ will be closed tonight from 10:00pm to 2:00am from exits 1 through 7 and, on-ramps 1 through 7 will be closed too. So, you won't be able to get on it or off it while you're driving on the closed portion of it.
Police officer (I pulled off to check a tire, he pulled off to check me): (Looking at license plate) So, Massachusetts, huh?
Me: Yes, I am.
Police officer: Long drive, huh?
Me: Yep.
Police officer: So, bet you drove from there.
Me: Umm, yeah.
Police officer: Know how I knew that?
Me: Because I'm from there?
Police officer: Nope - cause if you was going there, your car would be going in the other direction, right?
Blinking road-warning sign:
This road will be closed for construction from
about Sept 1 until
on or about Oct 15
I decline to identify the state or states involved, lest I offend any of my brethren.
Many years,
Neil
