Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
That one's not really an "Americanism". Shakespeare used "Coz" for cousin.
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I realize that Shakespeare used it .... as far as I know, it's not used all that much in modern England. Also, in America (specifically, the South), it's Cuz, not Coz.
Unless you are suggesting that the American slaves picked up the usage from their extensive studies of Shakespeare. I think it's a bit unlikely, but I suppose anything is possible. I just haven't heard of many slaves attending Shakespearian productions or actually being allowed to learn to read. So, my thought is that it's an Americanism because it arose independently, in America, without relation to the works of Shakespeare.
I'm sure you'll let me know if the English use the word in common language today, or if the word "cousin" is more often used. In the Deep South, "Cuz" is much more common, unless you are speaking formally, and most certainly came into common usage here in the States as a result of the slave culture.