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No words were ever as overworked
As these two words: "You know."
They punctuate each phrase that falls
From the lips of Jane and Joe.
Kids from college, kids from slums,
Kids both bright and slow,
They stick it in with every breath:
"Y'know...y'know...y'know."
Oh, me, we've reached a pretty pass,
Our culture's might low
When young folks can't communicate
Without "y'know." Y'know?
If this had been the custom
In the time of Edgar Poe,
D'you s'pose the raven would have quothed,
"Nevermo', y'know"?
Or mayby Patrick Henry
Would have muttered, very slow,
"You all give me liberty
Or give me death, y'know."
I know one thing: it's tiresome.
I may be square, but oh,
I'm weary of those wornout words.
"Y'know" has GOT to go!
From Out to Pasture by Effie Leland Wilder (Peachtree Publishing, 1995).
Text Copyright © 1995 by Effie Leland Wilder.
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Effie Leland Wilder (1909 - 2007) was born in Rockingham, North Carolina, but lived in Summerville, South Carolina for most of her life. A graduate of Converse College, she married and raised a family, then published her first novel at the age of 85. She went on to write four more. Effie was awarded South Carolina’s prestigious Order of the Palmetto in recognition of her philanthropic work with the Red Cross, several libraries, and Meals on Wheels.
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