Friday, March 21, 2014

A History of Grammar: Hair Did

I'm partial to people who at least attempt to speak in a grammatically sound fashion.  I don't correct people when I hear them say "irregardless" even though I'm probably not doing them any favors, and I've grown to begrudgingly accept people overusing "got" at times when they should definitely be saying "have." Regardless, the misusage of the verb "DO" when referencing the act of hair care is intolerable for a couple of reasons, and the phrase "Getting/Got/Gonna get my hair DID" should be immediately squeezed from your vernacular.  I'm going to tell you the main reason, which stretches beyond poor English, but let's quickly review some grammar.


Correct:  I'm getting my hair done at the salon.
Incorrect:  I'm getting my hair did at the salon

Correct:  I did my hair before the dance.
Incorrect.  I done my hair before the dance.  

Correct: I need to do my hair before going to the funeral.  
Correct: I did my hair and then left for the funeral.
Correct: My friend did my hair and then we went to a funeral.  
Correct: I had my hair done for the funeral.  
Incorrect.  I got my hair did...


Now, after extensive etymological research, I've successfully traced the origins of this grammatically unsound hair care phrase to a 1950s brothel on the outskirts of Hoboken, where for a small fee, men could diddle hair.  Yes, DID was an abbreviation for DIDDLE.  So, if you want to say "I got my hair did" as an abbreviation for "I got my hair diddled,"  I guess I'm okay with that.  I understand the need for some innuendo, since perhaps you aren't so comfortable  letting others know in the surrounding vicinity that someone has wrapped your hair around a penis and ejaculated on your scalp.




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