People from Kentucky don’t like to be called hicks. But I’m from Kentucky, and my language betrays me.
At one point, I wanted to go into acting, so I schooled myself to speak without an accent. When I didn’t go into acting, my mother said I sounded affected, so I pretty much UNschooled myself.
So now I pronounce “why” more like “whaaaaah.” But I didn’t even say “whaaaah” when I was little. I said, “Whut fur?” As in,
Mom: Marian, bring me a piece of paper.
Me: Okay. Whut fur?
The answer might have been, “I need to write something down,” or “I want to wrap up this gum before I throw it away,” or “I’m going to show you how to make a paper boat.”
But did my mother say any of those things? Well, sometimes. But usually her reply to Whut fur was:
This post is part of Linda G. Hillยs weekly blog hop, One-Liner Wednesday. If you have a one-liner or just like them, follow the link.
A WRITING PROMPT FROM ME TO YOU: When did you first learn that you had an accent? Did you try to “overcome” it?
MA
joey
March 23, 2019 at 9:36pmExcellent. I love that language was fun in your home. <3 The complexities of having an accent and trying not to are not lost on me. Apparently, regular me sounds sweet and southern, if not like a hick, I dunno, and other me, elocution me, is a snobby bitch. Still, I need her. shrugs
Marian Allen
March 24, 2019 at 3:26pmMom had an office voice and an out-of-office voice, too. I can pull one out of my pocket and use it as needed. It comes in very handy, sometimes.
Deborah
March 21, 2019 at 11:31amMy Mom unschooled herself of her Kentucky accent too, but when she got mad boy did that accent come out with some words.
I was sometimes able to diffuse her anger by mimicking her southern accent. She’d stop, look at me being silly about it and we’d both bust out laughing. It didn’t work every time mind you, but it was fun when it did.
This was a fun read. Thanks for the memories, and smiles!
Marian Allen
March 21, 2019 at 2:37pmYeah, there’s nothing funnier than when it works to defuse anger with laughter. I’m glad we both had moms that worked with often enough to make it worth trying. ๐
Mitchell Allen
March 20, 2019 at 6:26pmMarian, that is so cute. I can just see you running around, all innocent, saying, “Whut fur? Whut fur? to everything. Must have done, so you mom needed a response.
It’s sooo much nicer than “Cause I sed so!”
Cheers,
Mitch
Marian Allen
March 21, 2019 at 8:12amMom puzzled me a lot. It’s no wonder I grew up odd. ๐
dan antion
March 20, 2019 at 4:06pmWhat fur? I like that. I still have a little bit of Pittsburghese in my speaking. You can look that up if you like. I still put the emphasis on UM brella which is used in the pourin-down rain, especially in dawntown. There are many, but I’ve lost most of them, although I am reclaiming some, after frequent visits during the past several years.
Marian Allen
March 21, 2019 at 8:11amWe do that first syllable thing, too, in Kentucky! The POlice took my UMbrella before I could hit the INsurance man with it.
Dan antion
March 21, 2019 at 8:55amOf course, you’re referring to KEN-tucky ๐
Marian Allen
March 21, 2019 at 9:29amHaha! Naw, it’s K’nTUHky.