Shoulda Woulda Coulda

Question

It seems like that 'shoulda' means 'should have', but what exactly "Shoulda Woulda Coulda" mean?
I heard this phrase from a dialog in Impossible Creatures (A Microsoft game).
Henchman : I shoulda stayed in school.
Chance : Shoulda woulda coulda, pal!

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[nq:1]It seems like that 'shoulda' means 'should have', but what exactly "Shoulda Woulda Coulda" mean? I heard this phrase from a dialog in Impossible Creatures (A Microsoft game). Henchman : I shoulda stayed in school. Chance : Shoulda woulda coulda, pal![/nq]
"I should have", "I would have", and "I could have" are all statements that indicate something not done in the past. They are combined in this expression to mean that if they had been done, things would be better now.

Tony Cooper
Orlando, FL

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[nq:1]It seems like that 'shoulda' means 'should have', but what exactly "Shoulda Woulda Coulda" mean? I heard this phrase from a dialog in Impossible Creatures (A Microsoft game). Henchman : I shoulda stayed in school. Chance : Shoulda woulda coulda, pal![/nq]
It's used to mock statements such as these, which are typically used as excuses for non-achievement:
I shoulda stayed in school.
I woulda been vice president by now.
I coulda been a contender.
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/celinedion/couldawouldashoulda.html
Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" (Email Removed) Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

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[nq:1]It seems like that 'shoulda' means 'should have', but what exactly "Shoulda Woulda Coulda" mean? I heard this phrase from a dialog in Impossible Creatures (A Microsoft game). Henchman : I shoulda stayed in school. Chance : Shoulda woulda coulda, pal![/nq]
Here is an exercise in modals for you to play with:
e.e. cummings - here is little Effie's head
here is little Effie's head
whose brains are made of gingerbread
when judgment day comes
*** will find six crumbs
stooping by the coffinlid
waiting for something to rise
as the other somethings did-
you imagine his surprise
bellowing through the general noise
Where is Effie who was dead?
-to *** in a tiny voice,
i am may the first crumb said
whereupon its fellow five
crumbs chuckled as if they were alive
and number two took up the song
might i'm called and did no wrong
cried the third crumb, i am should
and this is my little sister could
with our big brother who is would
don't punish us for we were good;
and the last crumb with some shame
whispered unto ***, my name
is must and with the others i've
been Effie who isn't alive
just imagine it I say
*** amid a monstrous din
watch your step and follow me
stooping by Effie's little, in
(want a match or can you see?)
which the six subjective crumbs
twitch like mutilated thumbs;
picture His peering biggest whey
coloured face on which a frown
puzzles, but I know the way-
(nervously Whose eyes approve
the blessed while His ears are crammed
with the strenuous music of
the innumerable capering damned)
-staring wildly up and down
the here we are now judgment day
cross the threshold have no dread
lift the sheet back in this way
here is little Effie's head
whose brains are made of gingerbread

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[nq:2]It seems like that 'shoulda' means 'should have', but what ... shoulda stayed in school. Chance : Shoulda woulda coulda, pal![/nq]
[nq:1]It's used to mock statements such as these, which are typically used as excuses for non-achievement: I shoulda stayed in school. I woulda been vice president by now. I coulda been a contender.[/nq]
I believe that's "I coulda been a contenda."
pli

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Beverley Knight seems to sum it up pretty well in her recent song 'shoulda woulda coulda'...
"Now " Shoulda woulda coulda," means I'm out of time Coz "Shoulda woulda coulda", can't change your mind And I wonder, wonder, wonder what I'm gonna do
"Shoulda woulda coulda" are the last words of a fool"

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[nq:1]It seems like that 'shoulda' means 'should have', but what exactly "Shoulda Woulda Coulda" mean? I heard this phrase from a dialog in Impossible Creatures (A Microsoft game). Henchman : I shoulda stayed in school. Chance : Shoulda woulda coulda, pal![/nq]
You have had several responses to your question. I want to respond to your first sentence.
"Should have" is often pronounced as if it were written "should 'av'", which sounds like "should of". From there, it is sometimes shortened even more to "shoulda". But no matter how it is pronounced, it should be written as "should have", except when you are trying to indicate the pronunciation in your writing. "Would have" and "could have" often suffer similar fates when spoken.
Bill
Reverse parts of the ISP name and the user name for my e-address

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[nq:2]It seems like that 'shoulda' means 'should have', but what ... shoulda stayed in school. Chance : Shoulda woulda coulda, pal![/nq]
[nq:1]You have had several responses to your question. I want to respond to your first sentence. "Should have" is often ... are trying to indicate the pronunciation in your writing. "Would have" and "could have" often suffer similar fates when spoken.[/nq]
Bill, I think that anyone who discriminates between formal and informal writing in definition of usage would avoid the "should be written" recommendation.
Contractions are often used informally, and "should've (among other styles, as well as contracted forms of would and could have) have long and good standing in informal usage.
Coulda, etc. are very informal and one might advise that individuals use it only among friends and family, to avoid those questioning comments from people new to English usage, such as the OP.
Yes, I know it's especially clumsy when the untutored try to make a negative statement: "Shoulda notta". That's something I have heard, and never seen written, thank goodness, but I have seen the "should of" usages written. . .yes, even in job applications. I think the boss might hire his son in spite of such usage, but I wouldn't buy a car from these guys or hire them to do my taxes, or banking or legal work.

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[nq:2]It seems like that 'shoulda' means 'should have', but what ... shoulda stayed in school. Chance : Shoulda woulda coulda, pal![/nq]
[nq:1]You have had several responses to your question. I want to respond to your first sentence. "Should have" is often ... are trying to indicate the pronunciation in your writing. "Would have" and "could have" often suffer similar fates when spoken.[/nq]
"Shoulda, woulda, coulda", though, is an idiomatic phrase with a meaning in its own right beyond the expansion of the contractions.

Shoulda Woulda Coulda

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