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Incoming Vermonter wants advice on speaking Gradyvillian Comments re article 42883. A bait vs a mess. Geographical nuances of meaning Sharon Whitehurst writes: I've been pondering the nuances of proper Kentucky speech since this article was aired. Now, today, with Jim bringing in a colander heaped with over-wintered kale, I wonder anew: did we have a "bait of greens", a "mess of greens"- or just a really tasty addition to our supper?I'm sure I'd trip over myself if I was so audacious as to imitate the speech of those who are "from here "- but I wouldn't mind a bit of coaching in the correct way to think of these things. Does Gradyville have some fine points of local terminology? - Sharon WhitehurstWhat an utterly charming notion: To move to Gradyville and try to adopt proper English as it is correctly mumbled in Gradyville and, indeed, in all of Adair County. The only thing more inspiring for the locals would be to have surgery to immobilize the upper lip to make mumbling less of a gymnastic effort for one who has spoken General American or one of the northeastern dialects. You posed a specific question on the controversial "Mess vs. Bait," issue, and that's one for the two experts, Adair County Historian Mike Watson or his noble Cousin, the Historian "Jim." There are nuances of differences in their positions; it probably depends on the setting, just as one decides whether to use the Chicago Manual, or MLA, or Kate Turabian for writing. Many take a little from both of the learned gentleman, so as to not get labeled a doctrinaire Jimmite or Watsonian. Labels, you'll find in Adair County, are eschewed by the well-bred; they only steer up trouble. A word of caution: One might be careful in seeking assimilation, though, through mimickry. Use of local terminology with a foreign accent might be construed as putting on airs. Better, maybe, would be to learn the landmarks and call them right: Where Mt. Matney is; where Gradyville ends and Jaybird Ridge begins. Which is Richards Hollow and which is Country Club Hollow. Where Hob's Store used to be. These help, particularly, to give local directions ("You know where Hob's Store used to be? Well, you've gone to far if you're there . . . " Many directions are given that way, from where things used to be). Where Snookie grew up. Where the bank was. Where German Comer came home in the yellow Buick convertible and held the Big Revival. Where the two Worstest Men met and fit their epic battle. Where Orville Sexton parked his State Police cruiser. Where the Diddle house was and where Dr. Nell lived. Know Old and New Gradyville. And never, ever, call it the "crick," or they'll take you for a Hoosier. And do learn to order properly at the store. Ask for a bait or a mess of Pickle Dog and they may laugh you out of the building. "Fix me a pickle dog, reg'lar (on crackers)," will do nicely. In fact, "Fix me a ..." is a good way to start any food order anywhere in Adair County; even the Pablo Bros in the Mexican restaurant downtown ought to understand "fix me a huevos rancheros." And, as Judge Harold McKinney wrote, "You don't say, 'and put some Tabasco on it, please.' If you want hot sauce, it's Frank's, and you simply add, Judge Harold noted, "and fix 'at up." The proprietor should know what "fix 'at up," means, or he or she's not fitten to be run a store. Finally, get proper nicknames. It's not so important all over Adair County, but if you are anyone in Gradyville, you have a nickname. I'm not sure whether they're on birth certificates or whether, as in the olden days of Hob's Store, there was a christening ceremony when Hob Walker first dubbed a young one. But it seems to be a fact of life there. You're off to a good start naming your truck "Snort'n Norton," so that shouldn't be too hard. Best of luck with this noble undertaking. -EW This story was posted on 2011-03-12 06:19:37
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