Hard tellin'/ regionalisms

Posted by James Briggs on January 22, 2005

In Reply to: Hard tellin'/ regionalisms posted by ESC on January 21, 2005

: : : : : In a conversation with my old farmer neighbour he said, "Hard tellin', not knowin'!" meaning "Its hard to say!" or "I don't really know!" Are there other regionalisms meaning the same thing? I use many of these in my programmes to the delight of both children and adults.
: : : : : While stranded in the Memphis, Tennessee airport, on our way to the Mardi Gras last year, I overheard a woman reply to a customer, "I know what it say, but it ain't what it is!" She meant, of course, that the product was mis-labeled.
: : : : : If you have other examples or source materials, and if this is not the place to list them, please e-mail them to me! Much appreciation to any and all.

: : : : : SR

: : : : The Good Lord knows and he ain't telling.

: : : PS. I have several references that list (U.S.) country sayings. The problem is most aren't grouped by subject and don't have a good index. So it's a matter of paging through.

: : If you can get hold of a copy of "salt of the Earth", published by the British National Trust in 2002 - no ISBN number Im afraid - then this is FULL of 'origins and meanings of country sayings'. It's divided into sections -'come rain or shine', 'the seed time and the harvest', etc. . I guess the easy way to try to get a copy - cost £7.00 - would be via the NT web site at www.nationaltrust.org.uk

: Another book that I must have.

I see that you can order this at [Dead link removed - ed]

• Appreciated SR 22/January/05
  • Appreciated ESC 22/January/05