So! I'm originally from Long Island, NY. I live in Columbus, Ohio with my Floridian boyfriend whom I met in Tennessee. He bristled when he heard me say "on line," a New York regionalism featured on this program. Our friend Cary (from North Carolina), also in an uproar said, "I'll bet you say 'shut the lights' too!"
Well, this was even worse than "on line." Hysterics ensued. I don't see why. You "fermer" stuff in French, and that "off" in "shut off" is so dang perfunctory.
Do YOU say "shut the lights?" Where are you from?
No, I don't say, "open the lights," and I certainly don't say "close the lights." Anathema. Blegh.
I grew up in NY and use both "shut the lights" and "turn off the lights."
I think I've heard "close the lights" too... but possibly from non-native speakers (of English).
I grew up in western Pennsylvania. I use both shut off and turn off, when it comes to the lights. I had a friend who grew up in Pennsylvania Dutch country who would say, "Outen the lights."
AHA! I dig "outen the lights."
Btw, do you use "jawn" in western PA? This is something I heard a lot from Philly folk and wondered if it were a general PA thing.
PrettyToney, I'm not sure I know what you mean by "jawn." Philly and Pittsburgh are miles apart in lingo.