Tuesday, December 22, 2020

TIP TUESDAY CONUNDRUM: WOULD N'T COULD N'T SHOULD N'T

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

Lovely Joanne who blogs at Cup On The Bus, asked a question in her comment on Franklin's most recent post:

Ask your mom about this, Franklin. I'm currently reading The Song of the Lark, Willa Cather, 1915. I'm seeing all contractions written as would n't, could n't, should n't, etc. Can she sometime write a little history of when the space between d and n elided?

Franklin responded by saying he was sure that I would do it, but I'm afraid Franklin spoke too soon. I don't know the answer and can't find it in any of my grammar texts or through online research.

I recall seeing contractions written in this way from reading My Antonia, also by Willa Cather, for a class on American novels that I took long ago.

If it was commonly done at the time, however, I do not remember seeing it in other books from the early 1900s. Perhaps they had been updated, or I didn't notice the space. My Antonia is so beautifully written that it has always stood out to me.

So, how about it, Brilliant Friends? Do any of you know the answer to Joanne's question? Feel free to show off your knowledge. 

And if you feel the need for lovely, cotton tea towels, Joanne weaves them. You can see her offerings at Everything Old Is New Again


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug








26 comments:

  1. I know not.
    Joanne's towels are brilliant. Beautiful things - which get better with every wash.
    I really like the page on her blog titled 'Where the towels are'. They are all over the world - and appreciated everywhere they land.

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    1. I have quite a few of Joanne's towels. I stockpile some so I always have gifts on hand.

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  2. When I read The Song of the Lark, I actually looked this up as well. I could n't find a thing! However, my mother was known [by my father] as the queen of the I coulda and I shoulda club.

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    1. I wonder if it was a convention used by her publisher. Woulda, coulda, shoulda falls into the category of second guessing one's self. I've done it myself from time to time, but it's a waste of energy.

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  3. D'oh! I didn't even know there used to be a space!

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  4. That third one cracked me up!!!!!!!!!

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    1. I love the Willie Wonka meme because I'm terrible about correcting people.

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  5. I didn't know about the space either, but then I'm far from a grammar expert. :D

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    1. Writing a great blog doesn't require expertise in grammar. I love your writing.

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  6. I received a "dangerous website" message when I clicked on the link. and I really need some new towels. please check.

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    1. I clicked last night and checked again when I saw your comment. No message, and I've never had a problem. I hope it's okay for you now. Everyone loves Joanne's towels.

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    2. nope, norton still says "dangerous website". please have joanne contact me at girl9654@yahoo.com.

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  7. Hmmmmm...I haven't the foggiest idea. I wonder if it's just a peculiarity of Cather's style. I haven't seen any other writers do that. (I read "My Antonia" many years ago and loved it, and I don't even remember the weird contractions!)

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    1. I came up with two thoughts: 1. It could be something the publisher did, but it's odd I didn't see it in other novels. 2. Cather demanded it, and the publisher conceded because Cather was quite successful.

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  8. I've never seen contractions written that way, but I'm not nearly as well read as you and your smart(er) friends.
    Holiday cheer and love.

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    1. I'm sure you've read a lot, but as an English major, I read loads.

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  9. The memes are great. I have no idea on the contractions:(

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  10. Well, I hope we all keep an eye out. It could n't hurt.

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    1. Exactly. If I ever get an answer, I'll let you know.

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  11. No maven, I. But it seems a Willa Cather eccentricity.

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  12. I had no idea there'd ever been a space! I learn something new all the time here.

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Got your panties in a bunch? Dig 'em out, get comfortable, and let's chat.