Add a Weasel to Your Day

My lovely friend Jenny the Bloggess has once again stirred up the Internet with some good fun. She bought a dead, stuffed weasel, named her Juanita, and put this awesome dress on her. (Man, I love the Internet.) Then she gave everyone permission to download their own pictures of Juanita (go HERE to do so) and add little sayings. I couldn't resist.

I forgive the people of Farmsville for many things. But one thing that chaps my hide is a nearly universal use of the word "seen" instead of "saw" in certain circles:

• I seen that movie last week.
• I seen a huge buck in the field.
• She said she seen you at the store.

WTF?

When I finally get too annoyed or perhaps have had too many cocktails, I holler: IT'S SAW NOT SEEN! YOU SAW ME!

*crickets*

Most often, the person admits that they KNOW the real way to say it properly. So why use the past tense of "see" incorrectly? I think it's a cultural or environmental thing. I guess it's "cool" to be wrong in this way?

"Seen" instead of "saw" is kind of like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. Especially when it happens on the National News:

"At the fair this year, we seen Obama eating a pork chop on a stick!"

Greeeeeat. Oh Iowa, I love you, but we have to get better at how we look on the news. Seriously.

So anyway, Juanita also hates this misuse of "seen," as you can tell above. I'm glad I have her on my side. Now make your own Juanita -- have fun!