Are the Barbier linguists getting cranky? Or does everyone else cringe when they hear this English language atrocity?
After breaking down the use of this unofficial term referring to the possessive form of ‘you guys,’ we think that by starting a petition against its use will inspire English language speakers to find a better and sweeter sounding word. Maybe, just maybe, by the time we finish writing this blog, we will have something to suggest. And no, we don’t think we should add ‘Y’all’s’ to this petition.
First, we have to defend this expression which is the possessive form of ‘Y’all’ or ‘You all.’ This expression originated in Britain and stuck in the lexicon of many of the US states. Mostly though you will hear this in the Southern US states. We imagine most of you will say the correct term is ‘your’ even for the plural form. But we seem to think that ‘your’ is not enough in the plural sense- we need to emphasize the fact that every one of you is part of this possession. E.g.: Hey, there is something odd about your guyses’ uniform.
And ‘yours’ mean that which belongs to you, but ‘yours friends’ is also like nails on the chalkboard! What can we say? English makes no sense at times! As one ages, all will have to accept the hundreds of new words a year officially added to the English language. Yet, we argue that ‘your guyses’ will always be one to try to ban. Just use the correct ‘your’ or ‘you all’ for now.
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