use of “Well” in response to being summoned [on hold]
In the 1940s and 1950s, if Mother were to call for one, "Oh, Jamieeee?", one was to respond "Well, Mother..." and never "What, Mother...?", the latter being considered vulgar and ill-spoken.
Locale was Philadelphia and Main Line, Fairfield County, CT.
What is derivation of usage and meaning? Is this "well" an adjective, an adverb, or a (muted) exclamation?
Thank you.
etymology idioms usage derivation
asked Jan 9 at 2:51
1201SLD1201SLD
62
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put on hold as unclear what you're asking by Mark Beadles, 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj, Scott, Laurel, Chenmunka 2 days ago
Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
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In the 1940s and 1950s, if Mother were to call for one, "Oh, Jamieeee?", one was to respond "Well, Mother..." and never "What, Mother...?", the latter being considered vulgar and ill-spoken.
Locale was Philadelphia and Main Line, Fairfield County, CT.
What is derivation of usage and meaning? Is this "well" an adjective, an adverb, or a (muted) exclamation?
Thank you.
etymology idioms usage derivation
asked Jan 9 at 2:51
1201SLD1201SLD
62
New contributor
1201SLD is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
put on hold as unclear what you're asking by Mark Beadles, 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj, Scott, Laurel, Chenmunka 2 days ago
Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
1
Can you clarify what you're looking for as an answer here? (E.g. earliest attestation, region, how it developed.)
– Laurel
Jan 9 at 2:55
1
What's the question?
– rosslh
Jan 9 at 3:06
add a comment |
In the 1940s and 1950s, if Mother were to call for one, "Oh, Jamieeee?", one was to respond "Well, Mother..." and never "What, Mother...?", the latter being considered vulgar and ill-spoken.
Locale was Philadelphia and Main Line, Fairfield County, CT.
What is derivation of usage and meaning? Is this "well" an adjective, an adverb, or a (muted) exclamation?
Thank you.
etymology idioms usage derivation
asked Jan 9 at 2:51
1201SLD1201SLD
62
New contributor
1201SLD is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
In the 1940s and 1950s, if Mother were to call for one, "Oh, Jamieeee?", one was to respond "Well, Mother..." and never "What, Mother...?", the latter being considered vulgar and ill-spoken.
Locale was Philadelphia and Main Line, Fairfield County, CT.
What is derivation of usage and meaning? Is this "well" an adjective, an adverb, or a (muted) exclamation?
Thank you.
etymology idioms usage derivation
etymology idioms usage derivation
asked Jan 9 at 2:51
1201SLD1201SLD
62
New contributor
1201SLD is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Jan 9 at 2:51
1201SLD1201SLD
62
New contributor
1201SLD is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 54 mins ago
1201SLD
asked Jan 9 at 2:51
1201SLD1201SLD
62
New contributor
1201SLD is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Jan 9 at 2:51
1201SLD1201SLD
62
asked Jan 9 at 2:51
1201SLD1201SLD
62
62
New contributor
1201SLD is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
1201SLD is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1201SLD is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
put on hold as unclear what you're asking by Mark Beadles, 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj, Scott, Laurel, Chenmunka 2 days ago
Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
put on hold as unclear what you're asking by Mark Beadles, 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj, Scott, Laurel, Chenmunka 2 days ago
Please clarify your specific problem or add additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it’s hard to tell exactly what you're asking. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
1
Can you clarify what you're looking for as an answer here? (E.g. earliest attestation, region, how it developed.)
– Laurel
Jan 9 at 2:55
1
What's the question?
– rosslh
Jan 9 at 3:06
add a comment |
1
Can you clarify what you're looking for as an answer here? (E.g. earliest attestation, region, how it developed.)
– Laurel
Jan 9 at 2:55
1
What's the question?
– rosslh
Jan 9 at 3:06
1
1
Can you clarify what you're looking for as an answer here? (E.g. earliest attestation, region, how it developed.)
– Laurel
Jan 9 at 2:55
Can you clarify what you're looking for as an answer here? (E.g. earliest attestation, region, how it developed.)
– Laurel
Jan 9 at 2:55
1
1
What's the question?
– rosslh
Jan 9 at 3:06
What's the question?
– rosslh
Jan 9 at 3:06
add a comment |
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Can you clarify what you're looking for as an answer here? (E.g. earliest attestation, region, how it developed.)
– Laurel
Jan 9 at 2:55
1
What's the question?
– rosslh
Jan 9 at 3:06