Things we say: June 2007 Archives

I got a lot of responses on my "awhile" post, with enough other Yorkisms suggested to keep me posting for a long time. Thanks to everyone who wrote and posted comments!

One that drew a few comments was It's all. Most people said this is also a Lancaster County thing; I'd have to guess that we share a lot of common phrases, with the Pennsyvania Dutch background and all.

So, it's all. Ex. "The milk's all." or "When that money's all, you're not getting anything else." (That last one was my mom, talking to my daughter at the World's Greatest Yard Sale.)

Literal translation: It's gone, or it's "all gone."

I've had this weird thing going on in my left eye for about a week now. It's not pinkeye or a sty (the doctor says), so my mother has decided I have "a cold in my eye."

Our vet uses that phrase about my cats occasionally, and I don't know what it means for them any more than I do for myself. So I'm asking - does anyone know if there's some medical equivalent to this? And what am I supposed to do about it - it's getting uncomfortable!

Next in an ongoing series on York County-isms

Awhile: Ex. "I'm going to the store awhile." or "Dinner's almost ready; wash your hands awhile."

Literal translation: The closest I can come is "in the meantime," or until something else is done. It does not mean "for a while."

First in an ongoing series of York County-isms

Whatfer: Ex. "Whatfer vegetables we having with dinner tonight, Mom?" or "Whatfer shoes you wearing?"

Literal translation: The closest I can come is "What are you wearing for shoes" but even that doesn't make a ton of sense.