Awhile
For all the Southern quirks of the English language that I’ve noticed since moving, Jennifer has only found one that pervades my own Northern dialect. Here’s an example exchange:
Jennifer: I’m going to brush my teeth, and then I’ll be ready to go.
Daniel: Okay, I’ll go start the car awhile.
My usage of the word awhile totally freaks her out. And unlike past situations, I can’t find any reference to it online or anywhere. I suspect it’s a Pennsylvania Dutch-ism, but I can’t be sure. I can’t find any reference to it in the Wikipedia PA dialect articles that might apply:
- Pennsylvania Dutchified English
- Philadelphia accent
- Central Pennsylvania accent
- Baltimorese (because I have heritage there, too)
Can any of my Pennsylvania-based friends concur on this? Is this a general speech trait, or is it peculiar to the Bergey family (all of my family says it)?
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