A Language Question for the Canadians

[gnomi]

ETA: Sorry for the double posting. Browser crashed, and since they now both have comments, both will stay.

I'm language-posty-girl these days, apparently. I appreciate you all bearing with me.

This one may be a bit odd.

So, I was listening to the interview with David Hewlett that was posted on GateWorld before the beginning of the current Stargate: Atlantis season. And when talking about the first episode of the season, he says that McKay and Ronon are in the Wraith ship, "side by each" in the cocoons. And I scratched my head and said, "Side by each?"

So, here's the question: is "side by each" a standard Canadian phrase (used where I'd say "side by side")? Or is this unique to his idiolect?

Thanks!

Comments

[farwing.livejournal.com]

Huh. I think I've heard that useage before, but I can't recall the situation. *waits for an answer*

[tygerseye.livejournal.com]

James Taylor uses the phrase "sitting side by each" in his song "Copperline". I always thought he made it up for the rhyme... lol

[farwing.livejournal.com]

Dude...*that's* where I heard it! *cracks up*

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

And that song has been running through my head since you mentioned it. :-)

It's not on the CD I have here in my cube, alas.

::hums "Lonesome Road," which isn't on this CD, either.::

[squashed.livejournal.com]

It's not common usage in Ottawa, but I've definitely heard it before more than once.

[tygerseye.livejournal.com]

Like a "couple three" times? ;-)

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

You've heard it in the Ottawa area, or elsewhere?

Just wondering. I'm all research-y these days.

[michelel72.livejournal.com]

My Rhode Islander friend says it's a French Canadian phrasing and, therefore, also a joke about Woonsocket to RIers. A quick search on Google suggests it to be a RI phrase, possibly stemming from that ... and possibly also a Pennsylvania Dutch phrase, oddly enough.

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Ahh. Which might mean it jumped to the non-French Canadians.

Must do more research on dialect migration.