Mail Call: May/June 2007

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The Grammar Of Y’All

The humorous and enjoyable vignette about racing lizards by Gerald McGlothin in the March/April issue of GRIT seemed to imply that Southerners say “you all” when speaking about or to one person. A Southerner in those incidences is not thinking one person even though there might be just one person in sight. When “you all” or “y’all” is used, it is meant to include the person’s entire family (or sometimes his business, club, organization, etc.). To us, it is a polite way of being inclusive of those represented but not present. Probably the use started when communities were smaller, and one’s family members were known to everyone and were asked about, sometimes in this nonintrusive way. “You all” makes sure no one is left out.

I am 76 years old, I have lived in the South nearly all of my life, and I have never heard any authentic Southerner say “you all” when they meant only one person.

An example: A Southerner looking at one person asks, “How are you all?”

A true Southerner answers in the plural (or implies the plural), “We are fine.”

If the answer had been, “I am fine,” the first Southerner probably would have thought or said, “Oh, who is sick?”

— Anne Sowell, Hendersonville, Tennessee

Amen, Anne, and a wonderful analysis. See “Editor’s Note,” for some more thoughts on this subject. – Editors

Multitool Troubles

I don’t want to blame you for starting trouble in my marriage, but you are not helping. I’m sitting in a community-owned food cooperative during a blizzardy day in Viroqua, Wisconsin, trying to meet a deadline before heading out to do a speaking gig. They have a little coffee shop in here so the predominant fragrances are my steaming cup of Fair Trade Peruvian and strong traces of patchouli – two of my favorite things. Anyway, they stock GRIT at the checkout, and when I saw that the index included an article on multitools, I just had to spring for it.

Now, the marriage issue. I am addicted to multitools. My wife just rolls her eyes. I dream of the day I splurge for the big one. But there are two problems. No. 1, I simply lose everything. I am the King of Absent-Minded Peoples (and do not wear a belt ... thus the tool with the clip attachment caught my eye). So I only allow myself to buy little cheapie knockoff versions. Naturally, if I added up all the cheapie ones I’ve lost, I could finance a high-end one. Problem No. 2: When provided with information and options, I lock up. So imagine me trying to select the perfect multi-tool. Absolute wild-eyed paralysis.

But now your article’s got me all revved up. So my poor wife is going to have to hear about it again ...

I will say now that we’re on the farm, I’ve actually used my cheapie multitools several times. I just puff out my chest and get so proud when I produce it to good effect. Again, my wife just rolls her eyes. She is driven to do a lot of that.

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