HEL-08 Study Questions for McCrum’s Story of English Prepared by Dr. David F. Maas

8/9/2019 HEL-08 Study Questions for McCrums Story of English Prepared by Dr. David F. Maas

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The Story of EnglishThe Story of EnglishChapter 08Chapter 08

Dr. David F. MaasDr. David F. Maas


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The Story of English Chapter 08The Story of English Chapter 08

1. Who were the immigrants to Australia in1. Who were the immigrants to Australia in

January 1788? (293:01)January 1788? (293:01)

They were convicts sentenced for crimesThey were convicts sentenced for crimeslarge and smalllarge and small


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3. Identify the two accents which extended3. Identify the two accents which extended

the British Empire in the 1840s 294:05the British Empire in the 1840s 294:05

PoshPosh it was among officers and imperialit was among officers and imperialcivil servantscivil servants

CockneyCockney--among the troops or tummies asamong the troops or tummies as

they became known.they became known.


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5. When and by whom did Cockney5. When and by whom did Cockney

receive its characterization as low, ugly,receive its characterization as low, ugly,

or coarse ? 272:08or coarse ? 272:08 Transformation of Cockney into theTransformation of Cockney into the

working class of speech into the eastworking class of speech into the east

London as low ugly and coarseLondon as low ugly and coarse


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6. Identify one of the distinguishing6. Identify one of the distinguishing

features of London polite pronunciation.features of London polite pronunciation.

296:10296:10 The widespread lengthening of the vowelThe widespread lengthening of the vowel

Fast and pathFast and path


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7. Give an example of a Wellerism. 298:127. Give an example of a Wellerism. 298:12

Bevare of ViddersBevare of Vidders

A double glass o the inwariableA double glass o the inwariable


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8. Contrast the American Jack London and8. Contrast the American Jack London and

Herman Melvilles description of Cockney to thatHerman Melvilles description of Cockney to that

of Charles Dickens .299:14of Charles Dickens .299:14

And cock my foot on the ob and call for a nogginAnd cock my foot on the ob and call for a noggin

o somethink to begin with.o somethink to begin with.

give me a nice rasher of bacon and heggs.give me a nice rasher of bacon and heggs.

Many thought an outsider like jack London had aMany thought an outsider like jack London had abetter ear for Cockney speechthan Dickens thebetter ear for Cockney speechthan Dickens the

Englishman.Englishman.


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9. Where is the geographical location of9. Where is the geographical location of

the Cockney dialect? 299:15the Cockney dialect? 299:15

Cheapside, in the heart of the City ofCheapside, in the heart of the City ofLondon, some distance from what is nowLondon, some distance from what is now

known as the East End.known as the East End.

The heart of Cockneyland, though not itsThe heart of Cockneyland, though not its

geographical center , is Poplar.geographical center , is Poplar.


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10. Identify some of the elements which10. Identify some of the elements which

encourage ruleencourage rule-- breaking in Cockneybreaking in Cockney

grammar. 300:16grammar. 300:16 The love of nuance , rhythm, wordThe love of nuance , rhythm, word--play,play,

and innovation is part of the explanationand innovation is part of the explanation

for the persistent rulefor the persistent rule--breaking in somebreaking in some

elements of Cockney grammar.elements of Cockney grammar.


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11. Identify phonetic features of Cockney11. Identify phonetic features of Cockney

dialect.300:17dialect.300:17

Th replaced by f barf for bathTh replaced by f barf for bath Bruvver for brotherBruvver for brother

Bovver for botherBovver for bother

Glottal stop bu!er bo!le ro!enGlottal stop bu!er bo!le ro!en


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12. Identify some of the rural12. Identify some of the rural

characteristics of Cockney.301:18characteristics of Cockney.301:18

Pronunciation of gone, off, coughPronunciation of gone, off, cough gorn, orf, corfgorn, orf, corf

Noos for newsNoos for news

Stoo for stewStoo for stew


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13. Give some examples of Cockney13. Give some examples of Cockney

rhyming slang.300:20rhyming slang.300:20

A bull and a cow for a rowA bull and a cow for a rowCain and Abel for a tableCain and Abel for a table


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14. Give some examples of back14. Give some examples of back

slang.303:21slang.303:21

Yob for boyYob for boy Taf for fatTaf for fat


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15. Illustrate how Cockney rhyming slang15. Illustrate how Cockney rhyming slang

is applied to numbers. 303:21is applied to numbers. 303:21

One and fourOne and four Eno and roufEno and rouf


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16. What is the routine known as getting16. What is the routine known as getting

an edge. ? 305:22an edge. ? 305:22

To get an edge, means youre gettingTo get an edge, means youre gettingpeople to line up.people to line up.


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17. Identify some Cockney words which17. Identify some Cockney words which

came into the language from the Farcame into the language from the Far

East.305:23East.305:23

Buckshee for freeBuckshee for free

Shufti Arabic word for having a lookShufti Arabic word for having a look

around.around.


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18. How did Romany words become a part18. How did Romany words become a part

of the Cockney dialect? 306:24of the Cockney dialect? 306:24

Oi mush for Here mateOi mush for Here mate PuckerPucker to talkto talk

GypsiesGypsies


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19. Illustrate some Yiddish expressions19. Illustrate some Yiddish expressions

which have infiltrated into Cockney.which have infiltrated into Cockney.

306:25306:25

Shemoozle for ConfusionShemoozle for Confusion

Schlemiel for idiotSchlemiel for idiot

Schmutter for clothingSchmutter for clothing


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20. Identify words that have infiltrated20. Identify words that have infiltrated

Cockney vocabulary from World War II.Cockney vocabulary from World War II.

306: 26306: 26

ParlyvooParlyvoo Talking sessionTalking session

Bullshit rubbish, lies, nonsenseBullshit rubbish, lies, nonsense


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22.What associations do the Cockney22.What associations do the Cockney

Australian speakers give to the termAustralian speakers give to the term

mate?mate?307:30307:30

a mate is more than a friend: it suggests aa mate is more than a friend: it suggests a

mutuality and closeness beyond meremutuality and closeness beyond mere

friendship.friendship.


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23. Identify some aboriginal words that23. Identify some aboriginal words that

have infiltrated into Australian English.have infiltrated into Australian English.

308:32308:32

KangarooKangaroo

Billabong waterholeBillabong waterhole

JumbuckJumbuck sheepsheep

BoomerangBoomerang-- curved weaponcurved weapon


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24. Define and illustrate the term24. Define and illustrate the term FlashFlash

language. 312: 37language. 312: 37

Using the Australian standardUsing the Australian standard

Aborigines think it is pretentious orAborigines think it is pretentious or

stuckstuck--upup


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25. Illustrate how the Australians put some25. Illustrate how the Australians put some

underunder--employed English words to goodemployed English words to good

use. 312:38use. 312:38

CreekCreek one time just an estuary nowone time just an estuary now

applied widely to streams andapplied widely to streams and

watercourses.watercourses.

Back outback backBack outback back--blockblock


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26. What is the Australian neurosis?26. What is the Australian neurosis?

313:39313:39

Australia was founded as a vast prison.Australia was founded as a vast prison.


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27. What is the origin of Flash language?27. What is the origin of Flash language?

313:41313:41

Flash language had its origin in prisonFlash language had its origin in prisonargot.argot.


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28. Identify some Cornish expressions28. Identify some Cornish expressions

which have infiltrated into the Australianwhich have infiltrated into the Australian

language. 314:43language. 314:43

Fair dinkumFair dinkum

CorkerCorker

DusterDuster

TootsyTootsy

Bally milk pailBally milk pail


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29. How did Americanisms enter the29. How did Americanisms enter the

Australian vocabulary? 315:44Australian vocabulary? 315:44

From the Goldfields of California.From the Goldfields of California.


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30. Illustrate the tension between British30. Illustrate the tension between British

and American varieties of English inand American varieties of English in

Australian English.315:45Australian English.315:45

Tap instead of faucetTap instead of faucet

Elevators rather than liftsElevators rather than lifts

Freeways rather than motorways.Freeways rather than motorways.

Petrol rather than gasPetrol rather than gas


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31. Explain the etymology of the term31. Explain the etymology of the term

pommy.pommy. 315:46315:46

Pommy an EnglishmanPommy an Englishman Perhaps from pomegranatePerhaps from pomegranate ruddyruddy

cheeked Englishmancheeked Englishman

POME Prisoner of Mother England.POME Prisoner of Mother England.


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32. What are the roots of Australian32. What are the roots of Australian

English? 317:48, 319:53English? 317:48, 319:53

Cockney and IrishCockney and Irish South and East of EnglandSouth and East of England


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33. Explain the process of de33. Explain the process of de--articulationarticulation

which has influenced young peopleswhich has influenced young peoples

Australian dialect. 320:58 Australian dialect. 320:58

DeDe--articulatearticulate to talk badly to not soundto talk badly to not sound

sissy or uppity.sissy or uppity.


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34. Distinguish the speech patterns of34. Distinguish the speech patterns of

Australian men and women. 322;63Australian men and women. 322;63

Women tend towards General orWomen tend towards General orCultivated AustralianCultivated Australian

Men tend towards General or BroadMen tend towards General or Broad

AustralianAustralian


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35. Describe the speech habit known as35. Describe the speech habit known as

the rising inflection in Australianthe rising inflection in Australian

dialect.323:66dialect.323:66

Using a questioning (rising) tone in answerUsing a questioning (rising) tone in answer

to a question.to a question.


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36, Describe some of the striking36, Describe some of the striking

Australian similes and metaphors. 326:73Australian similes and metaphors. 326:73

Scarce as rocking horse manureScarce as rocking horse manureAs bald as a bandicootAs bald as a bandicoot

As mad as a gumtree full of galahsAs mad as a gumtree full of galahs


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37. How did Burchfield characterize37. How did Burchfield characterize

Australian English? 328:76Australian English? 328:76

RaggedRagged--trousered informalitytrousered informalityDesire for independenceDesire for independence

Irremovable parochialismIrremovable parochialism

Expressions that go beyond profanityExpressions that go beyond profanity Embedded suspicion of pomsEmbedded suspicion of poms


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38. What re the three levels of New38. What re the three levels of New

Zealander speech? 329:81Zealander speech? 329:81

Cultivated, General, and BroadCultivated, General, and Broad


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39. From the descriptions in his novel39. From the descriptions in his novel

Erewhon,Erewhon, where did Samuel Butler bsewhere did Samuel Butler bse

the setting? 329:80the setting? 329:80

New ZealandNew Zealand


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40. What features did the Scots contribute40. What features did the Scots contribute

to New Zealand speech? 330:81to New Zealand speech? 330:81

Stressed Wh in when wheatStressed Wh in when wheatRolled r in the south Island .Rolled r in the south Island .


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41. Identify some Mauri words that have41. Identify some Mauri words that have

entered the New Zealandentered the New Zealand

vocabulary.330:83vocabulary.330:83

Kowhai a flowerKowhai a flower

Whare houseWhare house


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42. Identify some slang expressions in42. Identify some slang expressions in

New Zealand . 333:84New Zealand . 333:84

BushfireBushfire Bush lawyerBush lawyer

Bush telegraphBush telegraph

Dragging the chain working slowlyDragging the chain working slowly


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43. Identify some unique New Zealand43. Identify some unique New Zealand

vocabulary words. 333:85vocabulary words. 333:85

Bach weekenderBach weekender Lines roadsLines roads


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44. How did the Soweto riots of June 197644. How did the Soweto riots of June 1976

become an endorsement of the Englishbecome an endorsement of the English

language? 334:86language? 334:86

Rejected Afrikaans for English.Rejected Afrikaans for English.


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45. According to E. H. Babbitt in 1907,45. According to E. H. Babbitt in 1907,

what was his prediction about the numberwhat was his prediction about the number

of English speakers around the yearof English speakers around the year

2000? 336:902000? 336:90

1.1 Billion speakers by 20001.1 Billion speakers by 2000


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HEL-08 Study Questions for McCrum’s Story of English Prepared by Dr. David F. Maas