Howdy


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Start New Thread ] [ TarBoard ]

Posted by Edwin M. Kiser on May 19, 1999 at 03:14:05 from proxy2.ykt.prodigy.net:

Howdy, friends...

In "SWALLOWDALE" on page 394, when the two captains and two mates
got back to Swallowdale after their sail in the Amazon in the fog,
they discover that Roger and Titty are not yet back at the camp.
They were rightly quite concerned over these missing crewmen,
especially Susan. I include this background so the following
quote can be taken in its proper context:


Nobody wanted to stay, and besides there were still the things
to fetch up from Horseshoe Cove. Susan got out a bit of paper
from Titty's box and Nancy wrote on it in big letters, "STOP
HERE TILL WE COME BACK."
"Where shall I put it so that they'll be sure to see it?"
"On the parrot's cage," said John. "Titty always says `Howdy'
to him, even if she's only been away ten minutes."
Susan's hopes suddenly fell again. It was very unlike Titty to
leave the parrot a moment longer than she could help.


The thing that got my attention here in the above quoted section
is the usage of the word, "Howdy". This expression is quite common
in American speech, but somehow I have wondered if such is really
all that traditional in the British usage. Not being all that
familiar with British mode of speech, I can only wonder just how
common is it to use the "Howdy" expression as a greeting. I fail
to see anywhere else in the twelve Ransome adventures that such a
greeting is made. Its usage here really sorta jumped off the page
as being an uncharacteristic American style expression, and so
seemed somewhat out of place in this British vernacular - or am
I quite incorrect in this feeling? Perhaps someone more personally
acquainted with the British speech can properly explain if "Howdy"
is normal, or out of place in common British speech. Sure sounded
AMERICAN to me.

Ya'll think on it a mite - I 'preciate it.

Edwin M. Kiser a SOUTHERN American, to which that last line testifies...



Follow Ups:



Post a Followup

Name:
Eel-Mail:

Existing subject (please edit appropriately) :

Comments:

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

post direct to TarBoard test post first


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TarBoard ]