Watch your language : Ken Gibbs

NO SMILE – NO TEETH  

My wife comes from a family that has members spread far and wide. In general, when communicating with her family, English is the medium of choice, but as with almost any language, there are variations which may need some explanation.

Recently, a Canadian cousin decided on visiting another member of the extended family living in Mexico and we were copied with messages going back and forth between them when I came across the word ‘yous’. Was this something that spellcheck had missed or was it really a word in common parlance depending on where you live ?

*****

My message to my wife’s cousin, follows:

“My morning has been greatly improved by an exploration of the word ‘yous’ which seemed to vex you somewhat.

“Being an engineer with a limited grasp of the English language (except with a rich vocabulary of expletives. . . .), I naturally went to Mr Google for an opinion as to the validity or derivation of the word ‘yous’, thinking that it might be a niche Americanism rather than an archaic form of the language which we choose to call ‘The King’s English’ or simply ‘received pronunciation’. Nothing so simple, it appears.

“Google referred me to ‘Grammarphobia’ which seems to be a blog for, well, people who don’t have enough to do. I commend the article to you which may be found at: https://grammarphobia.com/blog/2006/08/yous-or-youse.html

“Blame it on the Irish ! I should know as I’ve been married to one of (allegedly) Irish extraction so I am not surprised by leprechauns or four-leaf-clovers. Best of all is the Sylvester graphic on the top left of the Grammarphobia article.

“So, please continue with your curiosities – it enriches my daily routine.”

*****