Date: Wed, 16 Nov 1994 12:34:29 EST From: Rex Pyles Subject: Anyone familiar with the following expressions? Hello! I am a recent subscriber to this list. I have a few questions about expressions that are natural to me,although living in New England for many years I no longer use them. I grew up in central West Virginia. 1)'I hope how soon' as in "I hope how soon it quits raining." 2) [to be] just before [doing something] "We're just before goin' out (We're fixin' to go out)." 3) 'to take a class _to_ a teacher, as in "I have a class to [with] Professor Jones. 4) "Let's go see us a movie this evening." Thanks. Rex P.S. RE the 'I swan' question: I remember people of my grandmother's (1878-1961) generation using this to express surprise or perhaps "mild" disbelief. "Well, I DO know!" seemed to be used to express surprise but not disbelief.