May 14 2010
Yeah yeah yeh
My wife who is an American, (and I love that connection) recently pointed out how kiwis are in the habit of saying, ‘yeah, yeah yeah”, in quick succession when in conversation. And just like when you buy a new vehicle, and suddenly everywhere you look you see one like yours, as I have listened to kiwis talk, suddenly we are all doing it. Yeah, yeah, yeh. It is really really true. I just smile in wonder at my wife’s observant nature to notice this phenomenon.
It had been pointed out to me (not by Susan) as well the verbal habit of the vascilating kiwi to include all options in discussing a decision or answering a question involving wanting to do something.
Yeah, well nah, ahh maybe……..
I am amazed at number of times I have heard this said.
A kid did it to me at school today and I just laughed and said arh well which one of those is the answer.
Another habit not just limited to kiwis is the saying of ‘anyway’ when we are in conversation. I am writing this in Mc Donalds and the lady in the cubicle next to me just did it.
Anyway…………….like what does that mean……..anyway
Now that I am a year older and tougher skinned, it don’t bother me but before I used to think am I going on, umm is this subject boring, or do you need to go somewhere……………
or like …………before the anyway………….nothing made any sense…
anyway
What do you think?
Like way cool post, Graham… anyway I can relate to what you are talking about. As I get older I notice those things I say: “you betcha”, “you know what I mean”. We all have our slang we pickup from family or friends.
yep I smell what you are stepping in.I notice the most when I use a word that they know but dont use such as trunk or hood or semi or pick up .Its usually my sisters I am talking to and they always have to say the word they use.I found that I dont do it any more because I am comfortable with people using words that are not that familiar to me.I just think my sisters correct me because they want everything to be the way they think it should be.Suppose what I am saying is ,you dont care or notice after a while and the more cultures the more you get used to it.Probably doesnt make sense to anyone .you betcha as they say up here.
Hi Graham,
John Lennon noted the ‘anyway’ so it is probably international. In his writings he deliberately used “anyroad” instead. After a while i found myself using it as well. Now I only do that occasionally.
John Smith