I'm constantly seeing and hearing the phrase "most everything" or "most everyone" by Americans. Now, forgive me for asking, but... Isn't this grammatically incorrect? How can you be referring to most of something, and every (all of it) at the same time? That's like saying something is slightly unique. Umm, no, it's either unique, or it isn't. There is no in between. You can be referring to nothing, a single thing, a couple of things, a few things, some things, most things, (half a dozen, a dozen, etc), x number of things, or everything (all). What on Earth is most everything? Is that like some of nothing? Perhap most nothing?
I think it's abbreviated. Try adding the word "of" in between. Most of everything, and most of everyone. I believe that is the intent of the phrase, to indicate that it's not just most of a small segment.
Some might blame "Most Excellent!" it on Bill and Ted, but... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enacting_formula Parliament of Australia: "The Parliament of Australia enacts:" Prior to October 1990: "BE IT ENACTED by the Queen [King], and the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:" 1901-?: "BE IT ENACTED by the King's [Queen's] Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:-" *snicker* "Most excellent" goes back to at least 1600's in UK... most likely.
How about this: "needs painted" Made me grit my teeth when I first heard it, but I guess it's pretty common in the mid-west.
Pretty much. An old neighbor of mine was from Ohio. Guess the willy-nilly use of 'tenses' is common there.
"could care less" "near miss" the barbarity of americanis(z)ation of the language is annoying, but nothing like the sheer stupidity of the date system.
No, it would be like saying something is mostly unique. Jim's one off Ferrari is mostly unique. The design and body are unique, but the engine isn't so unique. Most everyone would agree with this.
I believe it is a mis-contraction of "almost everyone,etc." "Nearly everyone", or "a majority" would be clearer. "Impacted people" is courtesy of Al Haig. Only teeth or minerals can be impacted, IIRC. I do enjoy using "sod it all, wanker, and nob" over here though, as no one knows what they really mean. Remember, in Texas, y'all is singular, all y'all is plural And "exit strategy" is how you leave a duck blind after you shoot your friend in the face
Ash, the "could care less" reference makes me wince. I agree with you completely, as it is so common that now it's not even corrected most times.
Yes, grammatically incorrect. Let's not forget "my bad" ... what the heck happened here? And why do people say Latinos when the really mean "Hispanic", "Mexican" or someone from "Central America". Latino does not mean Spanish-speaking or someone from Latin America.
Haven't you ever heard of "Brokeback Peat-bog"? "My bad" grrrr. Lack of ownership, inability to say "My MISTAKE" "No child left behind" means the bright children are not rewarded, it is aberrant to be smarter than peers. Duhhhh, ya want fries with that? Inability to make change is our strongest growth market. Makes you wonder why Wal-Mart prices things so oddly? Darthventive way of confusing customer into paying more, as they are too inept to notice incorrect change?