SSB: I do?
Sy: Yeah, "paynts"
SSB: I didn't notice.
Sy: At least you don't say "worsh". "Hangin out my worsh"-
SSB: Yeah, where does that come from?
Sy: It's not necessarily a Wisconsin thing. I hear old people say it a mostly. They're from the waste-not-want-not generation. Maybe they're trying to use up all those dropped consonants. "Fonalac" "Mwaukee"- And all those dropped "r"s from out east - "I've gotta go worsh my ca."
SSB: "Hey! You! You can't just throw those consonants away like that! They're still good!"
*Which is surprising because SSB has always been No-Accent Guy.
My grandma says "warsh" and "Crik" for "Creek."
I think Warsh is from Indiana- a southern/mid-western hybrid.
I say Mahwaukee and people look at me funny.
Shannon, "Mahwaukee" is another popular pronunciation of Milwaukee for people from Wisconsin. Usually people that pronounce it "Mwaukee" grew up in Milwaukee or live near an Indian reservation.
I was actually thinking of you and Dr. Max when I was writing this post since you both are from Wisconsin. I knew you'd get it!
I always thought it was because we New Englanders drop our Rs all over the place, that the wind must carry a few of them across the mountains and plains to settle where they, unfortunately don't belong. Like weeds, but pretty ones that could be useful in a pot display and not ruining a delightfully planned flower bed.
Rs are like poppies.
And I say "MewAHkee. It's awful isn't it. Just, oh my.
Lyvvie, I like your explanation much better!