See http://www.yourdictionary.com/idioms/as-it-were.  Were—subjunctive voice.

 

 

ATEG Members:

 

I wonder if anybody can help me understand the use and the odd syntax of the expression, “as it were.”

 

When do we use the expression? What do we call such expressions? Why is the noun phrase singular and the verb plural?

 

I have some ideas of my own, but I’d like to get your explanations, too.

 

Marshall Myers

Eastern Kentucky University

 

 

 

The “Chester Droors” question goes deeper than the average Mondegreen…

 

Some may be interested in this article:

The Story of Chester Drawers

Allison Burkette

American Speech 76.2 (2001) 139-157

 

Best,

D

David W. Marlow, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Linguistics and ESOL
Vice President/President Elect - Carolina TESOL

University of South Carolina – Upstate
800 University Way
Spartanburg, SC 29303 

864.503.5849

 

 

One of my comp students wrote about his girlfriend, whose framed picture he lovingly kept atop his "Chester droors." [chest of drawers]

Another told me of the prayer she recited each night as a child:

Dick Veit
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