| I'm a nut on regional accents, idioms and turns of | | | | you notice it," or "Not so's you know about it," |
| phrase. My peregrinations around the globe have | | | | and "That oughtta tell you someth'n." |
| sharpened my ear. When I first left the USA in | | | | Here are some pithy ways to describe |
| the 1970s, I didn't know I talked funny. Coming | | | | shortcomings: "He doesn't have enough energy to |
| back to the Midwest after long absence, I get a | | | | blow his nose," or "He's a day late and a dollar |
| real kick out of the special way my father and | | | | short." |
| friends around me serve up their ideas in earthy | | | | A phrase that can be used for something either |
| language that bears the mark of this | | | | very good or bad is: "Out of this world!" |
| bread-basket region. | | | | My father uses these expressions to describe |
| Here are some expressions that show a person is | | | | various communication difficulties: "Sounds like |
| happy: "If it suits you, it tickles me to death." and | | | | somebody with a bellyache. They just can't get it |
| "I'm tickled pink." | | | | out fast enough. They think they are radio |
| My hobo and (later) second-hand | | | | announcers." He says,"The cadence of my speech |
| bookstore-owning Uncle Willard Thompson used to | | | | is slow. There's nothing that important that I have |
| say, "It's like getting money from home without | | | | to talk a mile a minute." |
| writing for it." | | | | When folks are unhappy they say: "It gripes me," |
| Of a really lucky fellow? Our old neighbor Ed | | | | or "It burns my soul." |
| Maupin said, "He's the kind of man that if he fell | | | | If you're looking to spice up your next |
| into the river, he'd come up with a pocketful of | | | | conversation, just choose one of these |
| fish." | | | | expressions and watch the expression on the |
| These expressions speak to getting real: "Not so's | | | | person's face. They'll be tickled pink, I'll just bet! |