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CalifJim Posted 19 years ago
Linguistics Studies

Origin of alls

Alls you have to do is ... ?
or
All's you have to do is ... ?

Is the origin All (that there i)s (that) you have to do is ...?

Or is there a different origin for this expression? Or a better explanation?

CJ
  

Top answer

I thought it was just substandard, like ain't or nobody don't know nuthin' nohow .

— Mister Micawber

  • I thought it was just substandard, like ain't or nobody don't know nuthin' nohow .
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7 Answers
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I thought it was just substandard, like ain't or nobody don't know nuthin' nohow.
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Well, yes, but even substandard expressions have etymological origins, innit? Emotion: smile

CJ
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Hi,

For a start, am I right in thinking of it as a feature of 'Black English'?

Clive
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My dictionary suggests a Germanic *alnaz, and mentions Gothic alls. Cf. modern German "alles".

Alternatively, is "s" sometimes a "making it easier to say" suffix (there must be a technical term for that), as in some diminutives (Babs for Barbara, Becks for Beckham, etc.)?
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Hi,

Yes, I too wonder if it makes it easier for the mouth to say.

Let's all try to sing the Beatles using both versions -

All you need is love . . .

Alls you need is love . . .

It seems to me to slur the sound.

Clive
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MrPedanticAlternatively, is "s" sometimes a "making it easier to say" suffix (there must be a technical term for that), as in some diminutives (Babs for Barbara, Becks for Beckham, etc.)?

Huh? What?
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Grammar GeekHuh? What?

(I suppose it needn't always be a diminutive. If we were characters in a sitcom, for instance, and you were on set already, I might well say "Hey, Geeks!" as I made my entrance.)
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