One of the fun things of a career of working in many different places is learning their language! (Not to mention Nigeria..) Or even what things are called!
Bonanza, Utah and a Chevron Gilsonite mine. My crew had to weld at a mining site. We needed prep work to get a fire permit. So the welder says to me. "Pete, can you go to the storehouse and get us a roll of Bradish cloth?" "Sure! Be right back!" Not knowing what the heck he was talking about! My shootin' buddy Roger worked in stores, and luckily he waited on me.. "You got a roll of Bradish cloth??" ""Sure!" Roger came back with a big roll of Burlap material. "I thought this was burlap?" "Not around here..... it's Bradish cloth."
Now Texas was a unique experience! Now please don't take offensive because I was a "Damn Yankee" when I got there because I was from up-north!
I didn't know them yet or know any better either!..... But I'm proud to say I was just a "Yankee" when I left for the mountains and even more of a compliment they wanted me to stay! Being a 'plain' Yankee was not an easy achievement for a northerner and a huge compliment when you learn how they think! Luckily, I have a slight southern accent... From what I don't know other than heritage from southern Norway! So Pah-cons was my pronunciation! It tickled me when a Texan talked to me with no others around and say something like "Y'all seen them new bullets Hornady brought out?" A millwright was telling me a story about a house fire his neighbor had. "Ah didn't even know it was burnin'! I saw ah firetruck go by not very fast an he wasn't even blowin his "Cy-reeen" I said siren? (Cy-run) "Yup no Cy-reeen even blowin'!" I teased them; they teased me on how we talked........
There language is efficient! They save words.!! Take the expression "Oh!" Rickie was talking and told Bill he 'changed oh in his truck over the weekend.
"What else y'all do?" "OH.........that was oh." We were hunting over by Rock Springs, Texas. Eating some great southern cooking outside watching the firefly's show. It was quiet and peaceful. An owl up in a pine a couple hundred yards away broke the silence.... "Whoo-whooo" My boss Frank pointed his finger towards the owl.... "Y'all hear that Oh?"
And don't think the teasin' didn't go both ways! John told me once...... "Ah don't care how y'all say words Pete! Jus don't start talkin' through y'all's nose!"
I miss them....... and miss hunting with them.
Pete