Thank you Masakim

Posted by Miri Barak on October 24, 2003

In Reply to: Don't let's" said Kathleen posted by masakim on October 23, 2003

: : I would like to know the meaning of Don't let's.
: : The context from The Enchanted Castle by Edith Nesbit:
: : Gerald the eldest tells his brother and sister to march and they reach a dark place with steps down:
: : "There are steps down", said Jimmy.
: : It is an ice-house", said Gerald.
: : "Don't let's", said Kathleen.

: : I have to explain that she is not very brave (as girls used to be depicted in books on those days.

: :
: : Maybe she means: let's not go any further?

: : My Many thanks
: : miri

: The negative of _let's_ is formed in three ways: _let's not_, which is widely used; _don't let's_, which is chiefly found in British English; and _let's don't_, which is an Americanism.
: From _Webster's Dictionary of English Usages_

: If you are suggesting that you and someone else should not do something, you say *let's not*.
: "Let's not talk about it."
: "Let's not waste time."
: Some British speakers say *don't let's*.
: "Don't let's tell anyone."
: From _Collins Cobuild English Usage_

Thank you for your extensive explanation