In message <[log in to unmask]>, Wirt Atmar
<[log in to unmask]> writes

>BTW: the British say, "hear, hear!", not "here, here!" We still say the same
>thing in many US Courts today, using a version of the phrase, "Oyez, Oyez!"
>The words come from an older Anglo-French admixture, meaning "Hear ye, Hear
>ye!" In England, the phrase is used to signify agreement with what was just
>said. In the US, the phrase is an admonition to sit down and shut up.

Speaking, if I may, as one of that happy breed being referred to, may I
properly correct you?

We do indeed say: "Hear, hear!", not "here, here!", but not much, I
would venture to suggest, outside of political, usually parliamentary,
debate.

The common parlance is more 'Right on, my son!" than that (with the
suggestion of parenthood being merely honorific).

We *also* have "Oyez, oyez!", being indeed "Hear ye, hear ye!", now
somewhat archaic, and much beloved of Town Criers (also now, in this
world of 24 hour rolling news, somewhat archaic, but the clothes add
colour and pageantry to multifarious celebrations).

When cried in the open air, it is much more sensible to interpret 'Oyez,
oyez' as 'draw near and listen', as the pavements are chill, and often
wet, and the universality of pooper scoopers still leaves something to
be desired...

> Of course this is more than any sane person would want to know.

No change there, then.....
--
Roy Brown        'Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be
Kelmscott Ltd     useful, or believe to be beautiful'  Wm Morris

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