If you don't want folks to think you're old, stop using words like "Folks" (wife, older)
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Any other archaic words or phrases you've caught yourself saying you wish you could take back?
WTF? I used "Folks" today in an email to a group at work. Perhaps you need to look up the definition.
And honestly, I never use it to refer to my parents, and I rarely hear it used that way.
I use folks and guys - always have and will. Of course, everything depends on the setting.
I do want to share a pet peeve - As a female, I really dislike being called "dear" - it feels so condescending.
My friend and I went out to lunch one time, while in our mid to late 40s. Our server, a young man who looked no older than 20, asked us what he can get for us "girls."
It’s not just old fogey words. I used to work at an elementary school. With some of those kids, the only words they know are those they’ve heard in the last five years.
The little ones (and some bigger) are still learning the language.
I remember some college undergraduates complaining that the professor had used the word "ubiquitous." He laughed and told them it was a perfectly good English word. And, of course, it is and so is "folks".
I'm 42 and I still say folks and occasionally I'll refer to dinner (my evening meal) as "supper," simply because I like the sounds of it. When we moved from Chicago to Glendale, CA, I started calling soft drinks "soda" instead of "pop". Now, that I am in Washington, I've noticed that a lot of natives says "pop." Oh well, I've been saying "soda pop," to cover all bases.
Interesting. I grew up in Minnesota, but left in my teens. I've said 'Coke' all these years (and always have the wait staff say, "We have Pepsi, is that OK?") and in Washington state, I've never heard the word pop.
I pretty much say what I want. I do think I keep my speaking "youngish" (I'm going to be 60), but I refuse to, like, let myself, like, fall into this, like, habit, of, like, saying 'like' all the time. If there's nothing else that makes a person sound stupid, it's using the word 'like' every other second.
On the other hand, I love using old expressions, like (heehee) 'a coon's age' or 'what the Sam Hill?'. If that makes me sound like an old codger, then so be it. Just remember, don't squat with yer spurs on.
I do not intend to dummy down my vocabulary for FOLKS who's vocabulary is limited.
I agree. Plus, I don't worry about being old. I have plenty of witty conversations with young folks that appreciate my age and wisdom.
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