Pain in the English
Pain in the English

Unpacking English, Bit by Bit

A community for questioning, nitpicking, and debating the quirks and rules of the English language.

Pain in the English
Pain in the English

Unpacking English, Bit by Bit

A community for questioning, nitpicking, and debating the quirks and rules of the English language.

Username

3M

Member Since

April 16, 2012

Total number of comments

1

Total number of votes received

25

Bio

Latest Comments

mines

  • April 16, 2012, 10:30am

I am amazed that there is this lengthy discussion on the use of "mines." It started to bother me a few years ago when African-American colleagues/co-workers used it so blithely and often. Good to know it bothers others also. I teach English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) to foreign adults, and I would hate to have them learn that version of "mine" or "my." In my experience, it is mostly non-college educated African-Americans who use it. My college and grad school buddies who happen to be black NEVER use "mines," at least not when I have been present. "Ax" instead of "ask" is also annoying, but "mines" takes the cake. And yes, we have too much time on our hands.