H.L. Mencken (1880–1956). The American Language. 1921.
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at least as good as “it is I.”83 The contrary form, “between you and I,” has no defenders, and is apparently going out. But in the shape of “between my wife and I” it is seldom challenged, at least in spoken English.
All these liberties with the personal pronouns, however, fade to insignificance when put beside the thoroughgoing confusion of the case forms in vulgar American. “Us fellas” is so far established in the language that “we fellas” from the mouth of a car conductor would seem almost an affectation. So, too, is “me and her are friends.” So, again, are “her and I set down together,” “him and his wife,” and “I knowed it was her.” Here are some other characteristic examples of the use of the objective forms in the nominative from Characters, Lardner and other writers:
Me and her was both late.
His brother is taller than him.
That little boy was me.
Us girls went home.
They were John and him.
Her and little Al is to stay here.
She says she thinks us and the Allens.
If Weaver and them had not of begin kicking.
Us two’ll walk, me and him.
But not me.
Him and I are friends.
Me and them are friends.
Less numerous, but still varied and plentiful, are the substitutions of nominative forms for objective forms:
She gave it to mother and I.
She took all of we children.
I want you to meet he and I at 29th street.
It is going to cost me $6 a week for a room for she and the baby.
Note 83. Every now and then it is furiously debated in the American newspapers. When, early in 1921, Edward J. Tobin, superintendent of the schools of Cook county, Ill. (i. e., of Chicago), decided that the pupils might use it, the decision was discussed all over the country, and for weeks. See the New York World, Feb. 23, 1921; the New York Evening World, March I, and the New York Times (a letter from Frank H. Vizetelly), Feb. 24. See also Jespersen: Chapters on English, p. 101 and p. 142. Mr. Tobin is also said to have given his imprimatur to he don’t. [back]
Note 84. Sometimes the two errors are combined, as in a speech heard by a correspondent from the lips of a Wyoming hotel-keeper: “Between I and you, him and her drinks too much.” [back]
