I love druthers. I do use it occasionally. It's a sensible contraction. I found this etymology online: (etynmoline.com)
druthers(n.)
1895, a jocular formation based on I'd ruther, American English dialectal form of I'd rather (used by Bret Harte as drathers, 1875).
I love the Dictionary of Lost Words as well - it sits by my bed.
I also love English (which is now the King's English) and I resisted any need to make editorial changes over to American English when my books were written and published, although it was advised. I was educated in the King's English (the Queen's English when I was at school) and believe it's a truly wonderful and very elastic language. Despite its idiosyncracies, it's been the medium for beautiful literature forever. I'm constantly teaching my grandson correct English and english-isms. He'll probably be glad when Nanny is finally too old to bother...
This is an absolutely fabulous trip down expression lane... I'm sure when I denote all my cultural upbringing and that which was added to it with college and graduate school and now with social and political preferences, I have all kinds of expressions that don't make any sense.....except to ME... You've made me think much more deeply about what one says and what one means... There's so many times I have been respectfully in someone's presence and they sling out one of those expressions that I've never heard.... And it's then, that I wish I could understand.... But then again....""If wishes were horses, beggars would ride."
I love druthers. I do use it occasionally. It's a sensible contraction. I found this etymology online: (etynmoline.com)
druthers(n.)
1895, a jocular formation based on I'd ruther, American English dialectal form of I'd rather (used by Bret Harte as drathers, 1875).
I love the Dictionary of Lost Words as well - it sits by my bed.
I also love English (which is now the King's English) and I resisted any need to make editorial changes over to American English when my books were written and published, although it was advised. I was educated in the King's English (the Queen's English when I was at school) and believe it's a truly wonderful and very elastic language. Despite its idiosyncracies, it's been the medium for beautiful literature forever. I'm constantly teaching my grandson correct English and english-isms. He'll probably be glad when Nanny is finally too old to bother...
Just wanna (italicized) let you know, I come from a long line of Bostonians speaking of druthers, and I'll follow yours anywhere! 🫶🏼
This is an absolutely fabulous trip down expression lane... I'm sure when I denote all my cultural upbringing and that which was added to it with college and graduate school and now with social and political preferences, I have all kinds of expressions that don't make any sense.....except to ME... You've made me think much more deeply about what one says and what one means... There's so many times I have been respectfully in someone's presence and they sling out one of those expressions that I've never heard.... And it's then, that I wish I could understand.... But then again....""If wishes were horses, beggars would ride."
There's a song in the musical "L'il Abner" called "If I had my druthers."