Date:         Mon, 24 Apr 1995 17:17:05 EDT
From: gilbertsmith <gsmith@social.chass.ncsu.edu>
Subject:      Snippets From An FTF 1
To: Multiple recipients of list WORDS-L <words-l@uga.cc.uga.edu>

SNIPPETS FROM AN FTF 1

So, in Lexington, I find the telephone number of the Colonel in the
book and call.  A woman with a lovely voice answers the telephone.

WWLV:   Hello.
I:      Uh, is this the Grissom residence, please?
WWLV:   Why, yes it is.
I:      Is Brad there, please?
WWLV:   No, I'm sorry. He isn't.  Who's calling, please?
I:      This is Gilbert Smith from Raleigh.
WWLV:   From Raleigh, North Carolina?
I:      Yes, ma'am.  He's expecting me to call.
WWLV:   Oh, yes.  He said you would call.  He's out running around
        somewhere.  Should I give him a message?
I:      Yes, ma'am, if you would please tell him I am at the Springs
        Inn, and I'm here.
WWLV:   Well, I certainly will tell him.
I:      Thank you.
WWLV:   You're very welcome.  Bye now.

This is *not* the way I usually talk.  I found that I could not help
saying "ma'am" to this woman, who I figured out immediately was the
mother of whom Brad has often spoken fondly.  What a lovely, elegant
voice.

This phenomenon is what I prefer to call the "Ma'am imperative."  It
is seldom operative in my experience.
--ggs

Date:         Tue, 25 Apr 1995 19:17:02 EDT
From: gilbertsmith <gsmith@social.chass.ncsu.edu>
Subject:      Snippets From An FTF 2
To: Multiple recipients of list WORDS-L <words-l@uga.bitnet>

> Shame on you for such all-or-nothing thinking.
> Lawrence Kestenbaum, 22914LCK@msu.edu
>
SNIPPETS FROM AN FTF 2
Overheard in an Irish Pub Restaurant, Lexington, KY,  on Thursday
Night Last:

Wordsler 1:  Oh, that new guy on the list, that ... uh... Kesselbum...
Wordsler 2:  No, Kusselbim.  What's his name?  Lawrence?
Wordsler 3:  Oh, yeah, what about him?
WDSLR 1:     His posts are really good.
WDSLR 2:     Very informed, very clever.
WDSLR 3:     Kissleburn.
WDSLR 1:     No, Nestlebaum.
WDSLR 3:     Well, whatever.  A prophetic voice.  No doubt about it.
WDSLR 2:     I'll drink to that.
--ggs

Date:         Fri, 28 Apr 1995 00:23:58 EDT
From: gilbertsmith <gsmith@social.chass.ncsu.edu>
Subject:      Snippets From An FTF 3
To: Multiple recipients of list WORDS-L <words-l@uga.bitnet>

Overheard in an Irish Pub Restaurant, Lexington KY, Thursday Night
Last:

Wordsler Marcia:    You're quite different in person.
Wordsler Giggles:   What do you mean by that?
WM:     On the list you are always engaging in sexual innuendoes.
WG:     Uh.....
Other Wordslers:  Oh Ho Ho Ho...
WG:     Well.....  that sort of thing isnt appropriate in person.
WM:     Why not?  I do it all the time.
WG:     You havent done it with me.
WM:     I'm not interested in you.
Other Wordslers:  Oh Ho Ho Ho....
WG:     Well, I never in all my life.
--ggs