Friday, March 07, 2008

Under construction

In the car on the way back from school today (for lunch), Boy2 asked me what yo meant. I told him it didn't really mean anything.

His reply: Ah, then it must be a conjuction.

The good news: he listens.

The bad news: he repeats.

7 comments:

kingba said...

It is verbal punctuation; one could say it has a "phatic" function (see "hello" on the phone) -- it establishes contact, no real semantic value, but could have socio-linguistic value)

kingba said...

I also use it to mean "yes"

Nicole said...

Kingba - I usually use it when I get mad while driving - yo, tu fais quoi là ducon?

Anonymous said...

Have you been letting him watch your Friends dvds??

Nicole said...

Beth- God no.

kingba said...

beware, kids assimilate stuff like sponges. I used to drive around peacefully insulting whoever I wanted itnhe privacy of my own vehicle until one of my kids (then about 14, give or take) decided (in western Canada--thank God, no one I knew--and that may have livened thigns up a bit...) to open the window and let out a string of perfectly-pitched insults that would have sent my mother well. probably peeing herself with laughter. But I was stunned, scolded at him, and he coolly responded: " So what, you have been saying this for 15 years??!!" So now I warn my friends and others: you may swear in Urdu, French, or english,and never hear a peep from the back seat when they will acquire the zingers alright! (I used to fine $ 10 per incident --never had to, after I laid down the law-- and esp. in professionla context (meeting my coworkers>> no bad language in any language).
But now they have the ways to defend themselves VERBALLY as young adults (thanks, Dad!--thank you, kids!) AND the biggets pain was for me...I could not express myself any more while driving... deprived of my first amendment rights...

Unknown said...

i can't believe he through that conjunction info back in your face...he cracks me up!