I recently visited my friends in Pennsylvania and they had developed a speech pattern that I found curious. I was wondering if this was an East Coast thing, or whether they had developed it themselves.
Here are some examples.
The cat what wears a hat.
The person what takes out the trash.
The man what lives next door.
Is this incorrect or poor grammar, or is it acceptable to use "what?"
2007-01-10 05:29:13 · 6 answers · asked by omouse 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
It is incorrect and shows the careless use of some speakers
2007-01-10 05:33:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 6⤋
Actually the use of "what" as a relativiser is present in most non-standard dialects of English. The fact that it is not used in Standard English (while all other wh- questions words are used as relatives) is a bit of an exception.
2016-11-10 06:36:57 · answer #2 · answered by c 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Could be some Quaker thing or just residual effects from coal miner work.
Curious though, each sentence is grammatically correct without the "what" inserted.
They must have many whats lying around.
2007-01-10 05:39:46 · answer #3 · answered by angrycelt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Using the word "what" instead of "that" in these sentences, is a dead give away of ones lack of education.
This is one of the ways "street people" talk as well.
2007-01-13 07:55:20 · answer #4 · answered by nova30180 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
This is something they developed.
Like "don't ax me " instead of "don't ask me"
2007-01-10 05:38:55 · answer #5 · answered by Amor 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
what?
2007-01-10 05:35:59 · answer #6 · answered by radiokiller 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋