funeralxempire wrote:
shortfatbalduglyman wrote:
Double negative literally means a positive
For example: "I ain't got no cash" means "I got cash"
In the dialects where that construct is common a double-negative is an intensifier.
Double negatives as an intensifier are common in West African languages, they've been borrowed into black English dialects from that source and they've been absorbed into other dialects through contact.
I ain't got no cash means
I'm completely broke, not
I have cash.
Double negatives are also common in French. "Je ne regrette rien" = "I don't regret nothing," but it means "I don't regret a thing."
Vaguely related:
I've heard that the phrase "I could care less" is deliberate irony, but I think it was just a mistake that caught on with poorly-educated people.
Back on topic:
The etymology of "sucks" is disputed:
https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian ... anletters4Having said that, the "United Church Of God" is certain that its origins are filthy (though they don't say how they know that), and agrees with St. Paul that God doesn't want us to use filthy language, ergo, we mustn't say "sucks."
https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/b ... nds-use-it
21 Feb 2024, 4:21 pm
