Spectrogram

Here is the web site for the mystery spectrograms. It's interesting to look at them even if you're not trying to guess what it represents.

Rob Hagiwara's Monthly Mystery Spectrogram

Very Interesting!

What about "very"? This is something ESL students learn early on, but how often is it used? When and where is it used? I heard myself saying it, but only in the context of "You don't see that very often." That is, with "often" and in a negative sentence. Where have you heard "very"?

All Righty!

I heard it again, "All righty." When I first noticed it, I was paying at the register at the drugstore. The clerk, a young African-American guy with dreadlocks, asked if I wanted I bag. I told him no thanks. He answered, "All righty." I was surprised. Since then, I have heard it a lot. Today the nurse, a guy, who took my blood said it, and 15 minutes later at Bread & Cie, the counter help said it again. I wonder if it's really more common than "all right." It would be an interesting survey. A lot of people don't even seem to be aware that that is what they are saying. Have you heard it? Where? When? From whom?