SO

Thought you might enjoy these...
www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/aug/24/talk-office-jargon?commentpage=2#start-of-comments

And my GS - aged 8.
My granny used it too - quite a lot, in my case, if I remember correctly.

Exactly, Mamie! So would my GDs (also aged 6).

I know that my six year-old GD would ask what it meant and then find an appropriate context for it within the next few hours!

I think it's interesting how use of language changes.
My Grandma used to say she was 'vexed' with me , when the occasion demanded it.
How many 3 year-olds would know what 'vexed' meant?

Sometimes when certain words are used by older people it does seem rather cringe making!

There were two ladies where I used to work, both in their mid fifties, who often used the word "cool", as in "I've found that document you wanted" The response? "Cool"

I first heard 'I'm good' in New Zealand where everybody, of all ages, seemed to use it as a response to 'How are you?' Is it an 'antipodeanism' that is creeping into British English, or did it reach NZ from America?

My mother used to say 'I asked her how she was, and she told me.'

Dunno !!

Nonu is that on the right thread?

I seem to remember a comedy sketch, Johanna, that just consisted of ça va in various intonations.
Of course, it is all much more complicated than that with local conventions about what time of day you say bonjour or bonsoir, how many bisous, which cheek do you start with, when do you say tu / vous etc

Indeed mamie
But at the end of the day c'est le ton qui fait la musique, n'est-ce pas?

Same to u honey chile , I posted on the other thread , it will get sorted , but when its your "baby" we get so protective of them don"t we , and of course we should, like the tigress protecting her young . [sunshine ]

nonu, thank you for the laugh! Just what I needed

Quite, Mamie! To an English query, I would also reply 'I'm fine, thanks. How are you?' The worst reply you can get is a catalogue of ailments. (Unless, of course, it is not a rhetorical question but a genuine desire to know about the health or happiness of someone who matters to you).

L OL

So much easier when the question and answer are both ça va

I used to say that but I like to change my speech patterns to keep up . In fact I will give a little example , I was in a shop the other day and I changed my mind about something I"d bought, so said to the lad behind counter " have you rung that up yet" , he replied "Have I what "? so finally we sorted out that they don"t say that anymore, they say "scan" , so whats that all about ? I"ve finished now so u may stop yawning LOL

I say "I'm fine thank you".( Even if I'm not!)

Should have been might instead of must , typo

I would never say I am well , it sounds too much like an old maiden aunt , or one who thinks like one anyway . I must say fine , depending on my mood

What is my point about what, nonu? You commented that you thought you had read some of this before and I tried to be helpful. (Shakes head resignedly).

I avoid the mays and cans by saying "I'd like a ... please". Or maybe "Could I have a ...?" I'm more concerned about being understood than the grammar being correct.

Similarly, since I understand what the response "good" means when I ask how someone is, it doesn't bother me in the least. Language is for communicating. If it does the job, why by picky? I think clarity of speech and articulation (same thing?) are more important than a person's particular choice of diction, which latter is probably driven by whatever is fashionable in their social milieu anyway.

janthea, meant to say "may I have", can I have would be a bit rude.

JO4 aaaaah cute for a 7 year old.