Can I get?

A level results have been announced today. A friend of mine put on Facebook (and you have to say this with a Black Country accent). I got an A level in woodwork. I put up a shelf and the teacher said "that A level"

Ha ha pensionpat!

I get you Toddleo, I really do get you. I don’t agree with your post, but get your need to write it.

Just exploring other uses of ‘get’. I suppose I could have used ‘understand’ instead of ‘get’ , but like the more affectionate use of ‘get’ in this instance. Seems less standoffish somehow.

I find that the use of the word server instead of the traditional waiter/waitress annoys me increasingly these days. Does this annoy anyone else?

Oh I hate ' can I get'. If behind someone in a queue for coffee I make a loud request of 'Please may I have?' That'll show 'em!!!

Then why may I ask Baggs are you reading Pendant's Corner?

Is that ironic grandtante?

In my experience "can I get" is almost always said whilst preoccupied with a mobile phone and comes across as disrespectful and dismissive. Beginning a sentence with "So" is becoming commonplace, as is the dreaded uptalk. I'm getting old!

Then why may I ask Baggs are you reading Pendant's Corner?

As I said up thread, grandtante, I am pedantic where meaning is affected. That's one reason I read Pedants' Corner.

Another is to see if a new thread in Pedants' Corner is actually pedantic or just a big moan about how other people talk because it's different from what someone's used to. Turned out this thread is one of those. My view is this: if it's allright for people to moan about perfectly understandable and not rude expressions made by others, then it's allright for me to complain about their complaining when I think it is not pedantry but something akin to linguistic snobbishness.

In my experience "can I get" does not come across like that at all, milliebear.

I first heard "can I get" in Oxford Covered Market in 1994 spoken by a very nice young man from Birmingham who had spent a year of his first degree course at a US university. Some of the expressions used there had clearly rubbed off on him. He planned to go back after finishing his PhD.

Perhaps this is why I think all this complaining about an innocent phrase is daft.

Judgemental or what Milliebear!
I hate poor spelling and grammar, deplore the overuse of “like” and the upward inflection at the end of sentences à la Australienne, but recognise too that the sort of intolerant inflexibility we sometimes encounter simply reinforces the image of grumpy grannies most of us would hope to avoid.
There’s worse things happen at sea!

My son and his girlfriend, we have noticed, when we have been out with them, are a real couple of "can I getters" she has at least lived in America so that's her excuse, but he certainly didn't hear the "can I get" around us It's such an appropriated Americanism and the logical response should be "I don't know". I certainly don't mind the collective "hi guys", language does evolve, in fact I quite like that "Can I get" doesn't sound right in the context it is frequently used though. Not that I would ever say that to them.

We were at a restaurant last night and I was telling DH about this thread. Shortly afterwards a young couple came and sat oat the next table and started 'can I get' (t)ing like anything. She was eearing a ripped and frayed denim jacket and sneakers or whatever they are called now unlaced with the laces tucked in to the shoes. We just looked at each other and tried to keep straight faces.!.

Sorry I've turened into an old fogey I realise!

One of my AC uses can I get, always prefixed by please.

In their defence we have travelled in USA and Australia for months at a time. As long as please and thank you are used, I can just about live with this phrase, however, I do not use it and correct the GC.

Politeness is a must for me in all circumstances.

and the upward inflection at the end of sentences à la Australienne,
Perhaps Australians are forever seeking answers?

Judgemental or what?
Those who don't mind its use have obviously never been in the service industry. "Can I get" is tantamount to "I want" and as we all know 'I want never gets'!

I have to admit to doing a bit of upward inflection myself. I know it's a habit I've caught from the young ones but to me it kind of enquires whether the other person gets what you are speaking about and indeed invites a response. You.might say to your DH for example I thought I'd wear this outfit today? (Although that rarely gets any kind of response other than a grunt!) Or even to a friend 'We are booking a holiday to France next year?' Which invites a positive reaction such as How lovely! Or I'm worried about (GC) as he's not settling at school? (Oh dear I'm sorry to hear that.)
It's a bit like saying You know? At the end of a sentence.
It's hard to explain but some sentences seem to need it and not others. I don't mean to do it but can hear myself do it and DH complains about it! I must try to guard against it as people find it so annoying!!

I cringe at Can I get.......usually.....Can I get a skinny soy latte with hemp seed sprinkles and a babychino for Pansy.

Ha ha Old Batty

I have 2 DDs who 'get'. One is now very Australian, the other is, well, a bit artyfartyhippy and also uses 'gotten' which I know is old English, but makes my teeth stand on edge. Her delightful offspring aged 6 & 8 always ask if they may please have. Not sure what happened after she left home....

Even dogs say it. Losing battle, folks.

Woof!

Agreed