Does anybody know why it's common to hear people leave out the word "for" so often? Instead of a person saying that they are looking for a new car I'll hear, "I'm lookin' another car," or "We're lookin' a new house"? Anybody know where this came from?......just curious.:?::?:
LOL--We are from Jersey and noticed that exact same thing. We just got here in August and we watch the local network program "Bargain Market"(local network show where people call selling items) and they say that ALL the time. "I"m lookin' a 2005 Mustang " etc....we couldnt figure out what they were saying at first...
After 11 years I don't really notice it any more. That being said, I had a friend visit from NY last week, and she had the nerve to tell me I have a Southern Accent! (I am from Iowa and have NO accent, according to me.) The hair stood up on the back of my neck as I said, "I DO NOT!" I may. A little. But if you are from NC, and had to move north heaven forbid, and someone told you that you were developing a NY or NJ accent, would you take offense?
LOL - I'm from here... If I moved to another area and was told I had their accent I would not take offense (I don't think). Clive - you're right, the older (mostly) folks from around here do leave out "for", and I do think it can only be explained as laziness! :lol:
Perhaps you are missing the obvious..elimininating the word "for" when it's locally understood is a cultural thing here. It may not be your culture. If it is not, one shouldn't be so dismissive of it. Think of it as a cultural thing that is rapidly disappearing. And, once it is gone, language and dialect researchers will commisserate over the loss of yet another cultural identity clue. No doubt, there is concern with the disappearance of the Harker's Island and Down East brogue. Once the environs of local families only, more and more Northerners are buying up the lands, and displacing families that have lived on the Island for generations. Some families trace their lineage Down East to the 17th century. Rarely does one hear the old Down East greeting," My Lord Hinny, it's good to see your face & eyes". One now more commonly hears a Northern "How ya doon?" My perception is that one's accent is directly related to the vicinity where the accent is spoken. In NYC, my drawl would automatically make my having the accent. Here in JoCo, I speak normally. You folks who have come here have the accent.
I'm not really complaining, it's more of an observation. Ya'll are rubbing off on me, because I've actually caught myself saying it like that! Does that make me a native JoCo girl? :lol:
