http://www.mylot.com/w/keywords/americana.aspx MyLot Discussions About americana en-gb http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/451810.aspx We have been made familiar with rural American speech patterns, usually negatively, through television and movies. Classic pictures like the Grapes of Wrath, the Egg and I, and Deliverance, exposed us to the ways of rural Appalachia and the mid-west. We have seen and heard all sorts of colloquialisms and most commonly we have come to see them as rooted in backwardness. But if the truth be known, it can be traced to a time when these phrases and speech patterns were used by none other than the Dutch and English royal families. In what is known as the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, there still exists in ever increasingly small and isolated pockets, vestiges of an almost dead language called the "Jersey Dutch". Beginning with Hudson's journey up the river which now bears his name, in 1609, this region was settled by the Dutch. Many family, village, and street names still reflect this heritage even after nearly four centuries. One small example is a neighborhood in the Town of Haverstraw (incorporated in 1666) called "Calico Hill". It is reported by historian Wilfred Blanche Talman (himself a descendant of Dutch settlers), that it came by this name from the Dutch term "Kalck Hoek" which roughly translated means Calcium Hill. Why calcium? Because at one time there was a small industry of paint mining. This was done because under certain geological circumstances calcareous spar (or white wash) would be created when a vein of natural calcium would occur near an aquifer which caused the mineral to run in fluid form which allowed it to be collected. It was used to paint houses and when mixed with red pigments it was used to paint barns. Other occasionally heard terms come from this origin. Catterwalling which means to wail or create an otherwise loud vocal noise, has Dutch origins. Cathauling (meaning to rough house) comes from this early American language. Hockrebonus was a term used in my grandparent's time. It referred to sexual relations between unmarried people. For instance, when an unmarried woman got pregnant it was said, "That's what happens when you play hockrebonus". Another common term with origins in Dutch is pancake which originally was panekoeken. Today this language is virtually dead in the Hudson Valley and elsewhere. In 1910 a Columbia University professor studied it and reported then that there were barely any people left who used it. But even more influential than the Dutch was by far the English. A book entitled, Language in America by Charlton Laird speaks authoritatively on this. Therein it is observed that a plethora of statements (which I grew up hearing my elders using) were and are in wide use up and down the Appalachian corridor. Folks like to say "Up t'home" when referring to where they came from. Dint instead of didn't is common. Oncet for once and riz or rizzed for risen are familiar. Et for ate, borry for borrow, brum for broom ketch for catch are all quite popularly used. They like to say dotter for daughter, deef for deaf, greazy for greasy, and growed for grew or grown are still preferred. Reddish for radish is supposed to have origins in English but in some places I'd be willing to bet that it may have had origins in German because their word is rettish. They apparently drop the "u" sound when coupled with an "a" such as when they say sossige for sausage. They also like to replace an "r" for "w" a lot such as in winder, yeller, swaller, and the like. Also familiar is replacing the "oo" sound with "u" such as in roof and took. Certain other patterns are present and should be watched out for. A d is dropped at the end of a word (such as san for sand), ing endings are shortened to just in (like in talkin'). The wh sound (as in white) is hardened to "w". Ed is added at the end of a word as in growed or knowed for grew or knew. Up and like are inserted into sentences such as in "he up and died" or "he liked to died". Sometimes up or like is inserted to replace the word almost. A "t" sound replaces the full "the" sound as in "t' other day". A long "oo" sound is replaced by "u" such as in spook or broom. Sitting is usually setting but sot becomes a replacement for sat. They also use terms like "let on" for pretend. This dialect is the norm for rural areas in the east which is natural because their ancestors originated in England. One variant is called Bonac and is heard in Long Island and the south. It is observed and postulated that eastern and southern English counties used these pronunciations and still do to some degree. Although it is looked down upon by most people as being "hillbillyish", it is known that this manner of speaking was common to all during Elizabethan times. Because she might have better understood the residents of Appalachia than she would her loyal subjects in today's England, it could be said that those "hillbillyish" speakers actually speak a better brand of the Queen's English than the upper crust does today. Now wouldn't that be a turnabout? Sun, 17 Dec 2006 14:57:05 GMT drandy http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/2082986.aspx In recent years I have noticed all the Americana decor available to us & have kinda gone crazy with it in the dining-room, but it just looks so nice & what a great way to show your patriotism! I like that country look so a lot of it is in that style...I even bought red & white striped material & I dyed it with tea to look old & then sewed on a strip of blue that had white stars on it & made 2 valances out of it...looks really cool & I gotta lot of compliments on it! Even my wallpaper border has stars & stripes on it...just wondered if anyone else has a lot things like this in their homes? Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:20:22 GMT ckhair13 http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1597617.aspx I have to say right now that I am not happy, an American building that was one that represented America is now being controlled by Abu Dhabi investment fund The rest of the stake is owned by a company known as Tishman Spayer Properties This is not the first tower Middle East Developers are snatching up, others include the General Motors Building and three other buildings... For a year the Chrysler building was the tallest building in the world until the Empire state Building towered over it a year later by more than 300 feet. I truly have to wonder how much more of America can be sold off a little at a time before we loose everything we know and loose our way of life. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hZCmgQF4KyiyH9Wy2IZOtBPO8awgD91QI43O1 Am I the only one that feels like the America that we know and that I love is slipping away? Mooch Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:26:18 GMT oneandonemakesix http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1089985.aspx It maybe small pictures in small areas, such as corners or hallways, or large pictures in wide-open space. It maybe of your parents or children, or related with your religious beliefs, or a piece of nature photography or artwork. Every building will have something or another hanging in its walls, according to the tastes and preferences of its residents. What type of pictures do you like to hang on your walls ? Sat, 19 May 2007 13:18:21 GMT sean1986 http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1189761.aspx I love to make crafts- Something about getting a large piece of wood- and ending with a beautiful project- I trace it - My sig. other cuts it out- and I sand it and then paint it and we put it together together- I'm attaching a picture of one I made- It's an Americana plant holder- I try to make gifts for friends and family- I know what they like and make it- I like primitive projects the best- Anyone else crafty? Sat, 07 Jul 2007 20:17:22 GMT KrisNY http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/540987.aspx I love coffee. And when I saw the myLot coffee cup I wondered what type of coffee everyone likes? Is it espresso, cappucino, latte, mocha, or flavoured coffees? Irish coffee, French coffee? For me, it depends on my humour. There are times I just want a cup of hot strong coffee - Maxwell House if it's instant, Robert Roberts if it's filtered. If I'm out with friends I'll usually have a latte. So, what about you? Wed, 03 Jan 2007 04:22:18 GMT BittyBiddy http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1283508.aspx Do you remember Hank Williams?If not,than please watch this vid of him singing.i love Hank Williams and his songs. here is the link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkK4hwlZWjM Thanks and i hope you enjoy the vid. Fri, 21 Sep 2007 11:01:42 GMT Thai_Guy http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1226414.aspx I want to know what kind of things my mylot friends collect. I collect K Chin prints, especially the owls and unicorns. I have a signed owl hanging in my living room and it is my most prized possession and if there was a fire it is probably the only thing I would try to save. lol. One day I will have a tattoo sleeve dedicated to him and it will be awesome. Do you collect anything? If not, you are a loser. Just kidding. Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:17:35 GMT wooitsmolly http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1230818.aspx Are you afraid of putting colors on your walls? So many people prefer to paint the walls neutral bringing in color with accessories. What about you????? Do you have beige or white walls? I confess, I have white walls throughout my house. And you know what? It is driving me CrAZyYY! I have always listened to my hubby who believes that walls should stay neutral for resale value. But we have been living here 12 years. Now I am iching to put colors on my walls and we really are considering selling to get a bigger place. If you have colors on you wall please describe to me and let me live vicariously through you! ;p Sun, 05 Aug 2007 02:10:23 GMT makingpots http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/523932.aspx today they hanged sadam , ok what we can say if whole Iraq was quite but i am very sad that media showed this on tv , what do you think is that good to show someone like this hanging if he would be your relative then what do you say . Second now America have warned Palestine and israil ,American should wait for this America thinks that he is super power but but if all Islamic will become one than American would be in trouble those are staying in other countries .America should wait for few months . Sat, 30 Dec 2006 08:03:42 GMT atulperx