Hi Paul!
Thank you for taking the risk of an answer.
The example you mentioned is exactly the kind I had in mind.
I'd like to get more information about the origin of this usage, similar
to the usage of "ain't" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ain%27t).
I wouldn't use the word "them" instead of "these/those" myself, unless
I'd like to make a joke. But as I am not a native speaker, it probably
wouldn't work, anyway.
Best
Gourbi
Paul wrote:
> On 18 Jun, 15:01, Gourbi <Gourb...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>> Hi everybody!
>>
>> I am new here, and I probably ask a question which has already been
>> answered in this newsgroup. Sorry for that.
>>
>> My question is: could someone give me some references/links where to
>> find more information about the use of "them" for "these/those" (is it
>> something specifically used in the USA?) and especially the origin of
>> it? I am aware that it belongs to the nonstandard speech, though.
>>
>> Many thanks in advance.
>>
>> Gourbi
>
> Hi Gourbi!
> I was hoping someone else will answer your question in a more
> authentic way. Since there doesn't seem to have been a response let me
> risk putting forward the following dialogue from the movie "My fair
> lady". In the scene where Eiza Dolittle gets mad at Professor Higgins
> she says "..and you can look for someone else to fetch you them
> slippers every morning!" and Professor Higgins responds, " those
> slippers..!" (And mind you, Eliza is not an American)
>
> If you want further clarification please give me a specific situation
> in which you have to decide whether it is more appropriate to use
> "them" or "those".
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