Is this proper english?

[Caveman]

This is not proper English. I grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota before moving to Huntsville, AL. Replacing lack with like is a southern thing that a few diehards will pull...

That said... the "south" (at least in this city) is nothing like it's often portrayed. Here in "Rocket City", we have the 3rd largest research park in the world (and only a handful that say like instead of lack).

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: UglyCasanova
So we were driving home and I have been studying for an accounting test all day. There are 3 chapters on this test. When I pick up my wife she asks me "Studying went okay? How much do you like?"

From the myriad grammatical in that opening alone I'll side with your wife on any and all debates of proper English.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

How much are you lacking?
How much would you like?

Fuck using English that doesn't make any sense, "How much do you like?" 😕 "I LIKE. IS NICE. YEGSHAMESH!"

 

[Auric]

The only response to your wife's query is "Me rikey prenty".

 

[grrl]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
Am I the only one that doesn't think like or lack makes a whole lot of sense there? Shouldn't it be how much do you have left? Am I completely missing the gist of what was being asked?

 

[idiotekniQues]

is your wife a chinese masseuse?

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt

Originally posted by: UglyCasanova
So we were driving home and I have been studying for an accounting test all day. There are 3 chapters on this test. When I pick up my wife she asks me "Studying went okay? How much do you like?"

From the myriad grammatical in that opening alone I'll side with your wife on any and all debates of proper English.

You fail.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: Asparagus
After a quick glance at your profile, I noticed you have Shreveport listed as your city (I assume this is Shreveport, LA?). Is your wife from the South?

I moved to Alabama 10 years ago after growing up in Minneapolis, MN. People down here use the phrase "How much do you lack" all the time...I had never heard it before I moved down here. It must be a southern thing.

To answer your question though, it most definitely is "lack" and not "like".

I've lived in the south for most of my life and I've never heard either. I would ask, "How much more studying do you have left to do?"

 

[Ladydipstick]

I'm originally from Louisiana, about an hour from Shreveport, and this phrase is used incredibly often. It's used to ask "how much do you have left?" In his example "like" had been substituted for "lack." It's, as most southern sayings, a bastardization marrying the lack of accomplishment and that good ol' southern twang. Hurry for colloquialisms
Example, "I'm short this month's rent!"
"How much do you lack?"
"About $300."
[Shreveport is an hour from the town of the popular show, Duck Dynasty, if that helps explain anything.]