ShowQuestions from Kids

Questions and stories by and about children concerning language, words, phrases, and why we speak the way we do. Lots of “kids say the darndest things” moments, but also plenty of “the kids are alright” moments, too.

Being Have

A caller who grew up in rural Pennsylvania remembers being asked as a child, “Are you being have?” instead of “Are you behaving?” Being have, with a long a sound, results from what linguists call reanalysis. It occurs when...