[lit-ideas] Re: "Sure" As ...
- From: Jlsperanza@xxxxxxx
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2004 10:48:25 EDT
We are discussing
A: Do you mind if I sit here?
B: Sure.
(A stays stood up).
A: And if I smoke?
B: Sure.
(A lits a cigarette)
A: So what's your name?
B: Sure.
R. Paul observes that this is an Americanism, and quotes the OED
>The OED devotes considerable space to
>this innocent-looking word.), [and the OED
>says it's] "Used to emphasize yes or no".
Good cites and all, but
"used to emphasise yes or no"
is precisely the point we are discussing, and the OED does not come out as
very helpful there.
First, 'or' can hardly be inclusive there:
A: Do you mind if I smoke
B: Sure (+> yes or no, if not both)
And if it _is_ exclusive, the OED fails to give a cite where it means "no".
All the cites they give is with "sure" meaning 'yes'.
Cheers,
JL
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