Wisconsin Lexicon #3
once (adverb): quickly; for a short amount of time.
once (adverb): quickly; for a short amount of time.
“C’mere once!” or “Lemme see dat once.”
I was really confused when “once” was directed at me for the first time. I believe a friend was asking me to give her something in my possession. "Jen, lemme see your ruler once.”
At first, I thought it was a limiting term and was reminded of The Godfather when Michael says to Kay, "Enough! Alright. This one time, this one time I'll let you ask me about my affairs...”
The Wisconsin version would be:
"Lemme see dat once, but for the love for God, no matter how much I beg, do not – I repeat – do not let me see dat twice!”
I soon realized that "once" was a way to qualify the amount of time you want the person or item in your close proximity.
“Once” can also be used as an offer of help. You could use this phrase “Lemme see dat once” can be used to extend assistance to someone deciphering illegible handwriting or someone trying to open a new jar of pickles. To a child struggling with a jacket zipper, the phrase “C’mere once.” indicates that the parent will zip the jacket for the child.
My unscientific theory is that the Wisconsin “once” may be derived from the phrase “at once.” It still implies immediacy, but in an informal, folksy sort of way.
“Don Corleone would like to see you in his office at once!”
~~~
BONUS! Once is also the title of a charming movie about musicians in Ireland. Add it to your queue.
~~~
I believe I may have a Wisconsin version of MS Word. Spell check offers me an option to “ignore once.”
I was really confused when “once” was directed at me for the first time. I believe a friend was asking me to give her something in my possession. "Jen, lemme see your ruler once.”
At first, I thought it was a limiting term and was reminded of The Godfather when Michael says to Kay, "Enough! Alright. This one time, this one time I'll let you ask me about my affairs...”
The Wisconsin version would be:
"Lemme see dat once, but for the love for God, no matter how much I beg, do not – I repeat – do not let me see dat twice!”
I soon realized that "once" was a way to qualify the amount of time you want the person or item in your close proximity.
“Once” can also be used as an offer of help. You could use this phrase “Lemme see dat once” can be used to extend assistance to someone deciphering illegible handwriting or someone trying to open a new jar of pickles. To a child struggling with a jacket zipper, the phrase “C’mere once.” indicates that the parent will zip the jacket for the child.
My unscientific theory is that the Wisconsin “once” may be derived from the phrase “at once.” It still implies immediacy, but in an informal, folksy sort of way.
“Don Corleone would like to see you in his office at once!”
~~~
BONUS! Once is also the title of a charming movie about musicians in Ireland. Add it to your queue.
~~~
I believe I may have a Wisconsin version of MS Word. Spell check offers me an option to “ignore once.”
Posts
I truly cannot wrap my mind around the fact that people say this.
ReplyDeleteIt may be one of those things that you have to hear, rather than read. It is weird! And Eric -- sigh -- he uses this on a regular basis now. Creeps me out.
ReplyDelete