"He learned me something"

I always thought that was Norfolkian, like "will you borrow me a fiver ?".

However

It is a fairly recent distinction. As recently as the 18th century it was acceptable grammer to say The teacher learned the students their lessons. Then for no understood reason learn in the sense of teach discontinued in all but the south of the United States, where it is still in use today.

Wikipedia learns me something every day.

Posted By: Steve in Holland on January 5th 2007 at 12:53:59


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