Offlist: [stormingheaven] ebonics? & what happened to the BAI lin k?

[William S. Lear]

On Thursday, August 19, 1999 at 13:00:33 (-0400) Carl Remick writes:
>>I thought it was subjunctive mood.
>
>Actually, I think it's in the imperative - Jack, be nimble (etc.)

You're obviously a reactionary imperative monger.

Jack be nimble. -> Jack, be he nimble. -> Jack, were he nimble.

Thus:

Jack, were he nimble.
Jack, were he quick,
Jack, were he all of these, he would jump over the candle-stick.

Or was it all a simple description of material reality:

Jack is nimble.
Jack is quick.
Jack jumps over the candle-stick.

And why is he jumping over a candle-stick, anyway?

Bill