LauraGB Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 The other day, dh was telling me a story about being a kid and "heading up to the cabin", but then he stopped mid-sentence and commented about how he needs to stop saying "up" because it's such a "hick" thing to do. Well, I've never really thought about it before. But I do it all the time, too (we're both hicks at heart ;)). Up north, down south, out east, out west, down to Some City, over to Some State... It never occurred to me that this is abnormal. But, I guess if I dissected the sentences, I'd find some misplaced prepositions and objects. I just got over my "got" syndrome (:D), so I'm not sure I'm ready for another thing, lol. Do you do this? Is it regional, maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 The other day, dh was telling me a story about being a kid and "heading up to the cabin", but then he stopped mid-sentence and commented about how he needs to stop saying "up" because it's such a "hick" thing to do. Well, I've never really thought about it before. But I do it all the time, too (we're both hicks at heart ;)). Up north, down south, out east, out west, down to Some City, over to Some State... It never occurred to me that this is abnormal. But, I guess if I dissected the sentences, I'd find some misplaced prepositions and objects. I just got over my "got" syndrome (:D), so I'm not sure I'm ready for another thing, lol. Do you do this? Is it regional, maybe? I've never thought about it. But in my case, I bet it changes if I write them down or if I speak them. I tend to be more formal in writing than speaking. I bet I'm really "hicksville" sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caitilin Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Yes, I guess I do, now that you mention it. We are going "out to the Hills" for my sister's wedding, we drive "down to Omaha" to the zoo, we have a friends who live "up in Minnesota", etc.:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
********* Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Ha! Here in the lower peninsula of MI, one always goes 'up north' for vacation (which means us down here in the southern part of the lower peninsula travel to the northern part of the lower peninsula. Sometimes, just for the weekend). :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 You're not a true hick until your're "fixin" to go someplace. Lara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter's Moon Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 I've said "up to the Boonies" but it really is up from where we are. Other than that, I do lots of pointing and drawing in the air with my fingers :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraGB Posted August 5, 2011 Author Share Posted August 5, 2011 You're not a true hick until your're "fixin" to go someplace. Lara :lol: I tend to get fixed 'up' to go places! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrissySC Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 My husband says "into town" like that is the name of a place, LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soonermomma Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 I had never really thought about it either, but yes i do. In true Okie fashion I also say I'm fixin' to go somewhere. I think it is so intresting to see the different way things are said depending where you live! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginevra Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 The other day, dh was telling me a story about being a kid and "heading up to the cabin", but then he stopped mid-sentence and commented about how he needs to stop saying "up" because it's such a "hick" thing to do. Well, I've never really thought about it before. But I do it all the time, too (we're both hicks at heart ;)). Up north, down south, out east, out west, down to Some City, over to Some State... It never occurred to me that this is abnormal. But, I guess if I dissected the sentences, I'd find some misplaced prepositions and objects. I just got over my "got" syndrome (:D), so I'm not sure I'm ready for another thing, lol. Do you do this? Is it regional, maybe? Have you ever seen the little piece floating around the internet about the many uses of the word "up"? It's enlightening, for certain. So, if your dh sounds like a hick using "up", at least he is in good company. And yes, everyone does that as far as I know. In the region of Baltimore, Maryland, we even have a special term for going to the shore of the Atlantic; it's "Downy Ocean, hon." (That's roughly translated as "Down the Ocean.") But if you've never had the treat of hearing a native say it, you probably can't hear it in your head, either. My dh's cousins from Idaho says we all pronounce the long O so "OOOOOH-like". I only notice it in Baltimorians who say it more extremely than I do. :D See you tomorrow; I'm going up to bed, now. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeannie in NJ Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 people here go "down the shore" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elinor Everywhere Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 You're not a true hick until your're "fixin" to go someplace. Lara We lived in Texas for a brief time, and that was the one that really got to me. They were always fixin' to do SOMEthing! :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elinor Everywhere Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Maybe it's a midwest thing (or eastern)? I'm originally from Ohio, and I always say "up to San Francisco" or "over to San Diego" or "down to Tucson", etc. My husband, who was born/raised in CA, never says the prepositions. Hmmm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.m Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 I just got back from a trip "over to Missour-ah." ;) Fellow midwestern hick here. I need to snap myself with a rubber band every time I say I'm going "up to" or "down to"! It's bad. "I'm goin' to go up to Wal-Mart." :lol: IIt's north of my house. At least I get the up and down right based on the compass. Most people have one or the other that they say all the time whether it's north or south from where we are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 (edited) So 'driving up to VT or CN" is gramatically incorrect? Even if you live 'below?' ;) lol No, it's not. Edited August 5, 2011 by LibraryLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebookie Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Yes! That is how I talk! I'm a southerner.. It's how we're brought up. =) I'm fixing to go to bed.. =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 I would use 'up' if heading north or into the mountains. It sounds normal to me. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amber in AUS Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 We say up and down all the time. I even find i correct people if they are not using the correct geographical direction. I guess for me it's really no different to saying we are heading north or south as the case may be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.