Grammar Nut Comes to NY and Stands “In” Line!

A certain NY nut named Miso has lots going on, and lots to tell us about!

To see how she describes herself, scroll down to the bottom of her “Meet the Cast” list on her blog. You’ll begin to understand why she needs all those naps! Then read about returning to NYC after a weekend as a bridesmaid in California — talk about hitting the ground running!

And here she devotes some of her boundless energy to addressing a puzzling aspect of New York dialect: use of the preposition “on” when it comes to waiting, and it involves a line…

“Next on line?”

“No, you don’t have to wait on line for that.”

I have heard this for, like, the 100th-plus time, when I’m waiting in line for a counter. I don’t get it. My initial reaction is, “Um are you talking about the ‘Internets?’ Because no, I’m not online, on the Internets; I’m actually here, in person, in a physical line.”

I don’t even own an iPhone or a Blackberry, so I’m not even online there… I’m not ON a line, unless maybe you drew one on the floor? But I don’t see a line drawn on the floor. I’m in the line. Am I crazy? Who uses “on line” in this context?

Apparently all of New York.

These are New Yorkers working at the DMV, at boutiques, delis, hot dog joints, at the airport, or getting interviewed for New York Magazine…

Is it a New York thing? Or a generational thing where people are misconstruing their prepositions due to all the confusing web jargon? Is it a language fad, where mixing prepositions is cool? Are there New Yorkers who don’t even know that “online” is in reference to internet status? Am I just being a total web Nerd? Am I just officially old and not understanding what the kids are saying? Did some celebrity use it this way in a popular movie that I haven’t seen, like “High School Musical 2”? I am so confused.

So glad you’re tackling this, Miso. And, when you get time, please straighten out all the other inconsistencies in the English language. (Like that thing about ‘parking in the driveway’ versus ‘driving on the parkway’ has always bugged me!)

Diana and Roger’s wedding

[UPDATE: I’ve heard from a few people who want a serious answer this question. I believe this is as good an answer as any.]

Photo credit: snarshad

Read more about all kinds of NY nuts!

Or maybe you yourself know a nut or two that you would like to submit?

© 2008 NutsInNY.com

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I Love New York (4 Boros, Anyway)

Clearly, New York is missing one of its nuts…

I have no idea why Pink Gloves is spending Ramadan in Dubai, but from thousands of miles away she expresses her profound homesickness for NYC. And she offers her appraisal of the five boros and Long Island:

Nu York… I miss home… this morning i woke up crying… They weren’t sad tears per se, but tears of nostalgia. I miss my city…

Brooklyn… remains my favorite borough of the NYC area… maybe my buried placenta keeps me attached… Maybe it is the smell of jerk chicken on Utica Avenue. Maybe it is Kings Plaza Mall where my mother’s water broke…

Queens, ah my darling Queens… My favorite part of Queens? Jamaica Avenue. No, not because of my Jamaican roots. But they have my favorite fish market right there on the corner.

Bronx. eerh, don’t like the Bronx, for reasons that still remain unknown.

Staten Island. The coolest thing about Staten Island in my opinion is the ferry.
If you are looking for a cheap thrill, and cannot afford a cruise or a boat ride, then this works.

Manhattan… Small, but seriously overpopulated. Gotta love Prince Street with all the boutiques… Chinatown, the vendor says “u wan Gucheee, come follow me”. I love Macy’s… Blooming“jales”… 59th St. stop on the Lex line. The green line rocks. Gotta love Central Park even if u hate the idea, NY will make u love it. Where else can u go for free concerts?…

Long Island. Nassau to be exact. I miss home… overcrowded Jones Beach in the summertime… the amphitheater… Green Acres Mall… Roosevelt Field Mall

I miss so much about home. Maybe because it is Ramadan in Dubai…

Her friend NY Babe then replies to her in the comments section:

Couldn’t have said it better myself. I LUVVVV New York… I really don’t see myself living anywhere else. Funny just like u I can’t stand the Bronx. Hang in there you’ll be home soon enough.

And her friend Yessie also replies:

Yep girl gotta love NY. For some reason I have something against BX too; when pple ask me to meet them there, I usually respond with “I can’t stand BX” or “I go to the Bronx only once in 2 years” I live in Nassau; used to be a Roosevelt Field Mall junkie until recent times ($$$ issues)… still in love with the beach… Gotta love NY with all its craziness

OK, please allow me to ask, what’s up with all the Bronx-hating, ladies??

Anyway, travel safely, Pink Gloves… At least 4 of the 5 boros miss you!

© 2008 NutsInNY.com

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