Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: A-coming

  1. #1
    Почётный участник
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Eastern Siberia
    Posts
    122
    Rep Power
    11

    A-coming

    Major Payne:
    "Somebody's gonna answer for this blood from my lip.
    I want names.
    I wanna know who's responsible.
    Don't all run at once.
    I guess nobody's responsible.

    Guess I just had that one a-comin'.
    Well, you know what y'all got comin' ?
    Seven 23-hour days...
    full of fun and adventure.
    I'm gonna make you boys strong !"
    What is "A-coming" ? It would be great if you will supply some more examples with this phrase.
    Thanks in advance.
    If my post contains errors of any kind, I'd appreciate anyone setting me straight.

  2. #2
    Увлечённый спикер
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    50
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: A-coming

    This isn't really a word so much as a way of saying "coming". "I guess I had that one coming" is the same as saying "I probably deserved that" when something bad happens to you. "a-comming" is just a weird way of saying it that isn't generally used. The particular movie this is from isn't really a prime example of how people talk in real life, Major Payne speaks the way he does to make the movie funnier.

  3. #3
    Завсегдатай sperk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    США
    Posts
    2,285
    Rep Power
    16

    Re: A-coming

    I don't know the source or context of this but it sounds like someone imitating a stereotypical uneducated southerner's speech.
    Кому - нары, кому - Канары.

  4. #4
    Увлечённый спикер
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    50
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: A-coming

    Quote Originally Posted by sperk
    I don't know the source or context of this but it sounds like someone imitating a stereotypical uneducated southerner's speech.
    Its a comedy movie about training kids in military camp and you are correct.

  5. #5
    Почтенный гражданин bitpicker's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    653
    Rep Power
    14

    Re: A-coming

    You find verbs with a- in poetry and songs frequently. It seems to get added to progressive forms only and I feel it increases the sense of progression. Another example:

    Right Now I'm A-Roaming

    Robin
    Спасибо за исправления!

    Вам нравится этот форум, и вы изучаете немецкий язык? Вот похожий форум о немецком языке.

  6. #6
    Почётный участник
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Eastern Siberia
    Posts
    122
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: A-coming

    Thanks to all.
    bitpicker, nice link!
    If my post contains errors of any kind, I'd appreciate anyone setting me straight.

  7. #7
    Завсегдатай Throbert McGee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Fairfax, VA (Фэйрфэкс, ш. Виргиния, США)
    Posts
    1,591
    Rep Power
    39

    Re: A-coming

    Quote Originally Posted by sperk
    I don't know the source or context of this but it sounds like someone imitating a stereotypical uneducated southerner's speech.
    I would add that if you're going to prefix a progressive verb form with a-, it's почти обязательно to drop the -g at the end!

    "Plan Number 6 is where we come a-ridin' into town, a-whompin' an' a-stompin' ever' last livin' thing that moves within a' inch of its life..."
    (from the Western-parody Blazing Saddles)
    "On a sunny day
    In the month of May
    A hobo came a-hikin'..."
    (from the folk song "Big Rock Candy Mountain")
    Говорит Бегемот: "Dear citizens of MR -- please correct my Russian mistakes!"

Similar Threads

  1. Coming to Moscow. Looking for a friend to go with.
    By clementine25 in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: May 17th, 2006, 11:18 AM
  2. Lie Detectors Coming to Domodedovo
    By Бармалей in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: April 20th, 2006, 04:49 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


Russian Lessons                           

Russian Tests and Quizzes            

Russian Vocabulary