Youse

/juːz/ pronoun

Definition

A plural form of 'you' used in some dialects to address multiple people, as a way to distinguish it from singular 'you.'

Etymology

From Middle English and dialectal origins, possibly influenced by Old English 'eow' (you plural) and reinforced by Irish English and other Celtic language patterns. It developed naturally in regions where English speakers needed a clear way to say 'you all.'

Kelly Says

English speakers in New York, Boston, Ireland, and Australia all invented or kept 'youse' independently because standard English lost a crucial word—we used to have 'ye' for plural 'you' until it disappeared in the 1600s. Linguists call these independent inventions 'parallel evolution,' and it proves speakers naturally want to mark this distinction.

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