[Boomer]

I have had a long love affair with words. Bet you did not know that. One of the things that fascinates me is regional language. I think those English teacher types may refer to this kind of language as colloquial.

We live in a great big glorious land and this group represents so many different regions. So who, more perfect, to ask about this.

I have lived in or near Cincinnati all my life When I went away to school, it was up the road to Miami U. (If I had lived a little farther south, I would have said, "Up the road a piece to Miami U.")

Around here, we have our regional language just like everybody else. One of the most obvious is the use of the word "please." (graciegirl says it and I do, too.) What we mean is, "Pardon me, I did not hear what you said." I guess you could say that we are saying, "HUH?" Or, "WHAT?" But around Cincinnati, we say, "Please."

I have a specific question about this to somebody here who speaks some German. And I think maybe Muncle does so I hope he or somebody can clear this up for me.

Cincinnati is heavily of German heritage. Someone once told me that the German word for "please" is "bitta" (I have no idea if I am spelling or saying that right.) Anyway, is whatever the German word for "please" is used interchangeably for saying, "Huh?" and for saying, "Please pass the salt." I hope to find the answer here on TOTV.

Another question I have is for Rockinronda, from RI. Ronda, just last night we were visiting some friends and we started to talk about this topic. (They had a visitor there from Australia so we were talking with her about the differences in our English words.) Anyway, back to RI. Someone in our group last night said that in RI, a milkshake is called a "cabinet." I kept thinking I was not hearing him right. So I said, "Please," a couple of times, but he kept saying if he wanted a milkshake in RI, he would order a chocolate cabinet. Ronda, is that right? He is from Indiana. I need to verify this with you, Ronda.

Many years ago, a neighbor who was from Boston would order a frappe at the local "Creamy Whip" where we took our kids. She wanted a milkshake.

Around Cincinnati, when we want a soda, we want ice cream with a hit of the fizzy stuff. When we want a Coke or Pepsi or something, we want a pop.

So anyway, I hope some of you will throw in some of your own regional words. And I hope I get my answers to the questions I asked here.

Thanks.

Boomer