phrase General Slang

so don't I

· phrase · boston

Paradox Boston-speak for 'so do I' — somehow agreeing by negating.

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Definitions

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One of the great brain-melters of New England English. Means the exact opposite of what it sounds like: 'so don't I' = 'so do I.' Used to enthusiastically agree. Linguists have written papers on it; Bostonians have been doing it since the Pilgrims and don't see what the fuss is about.

“I love a good roast beef from Kelly's. — So don't I, dude. Every Sunday.”
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so don't I In A Sentence

I love a good roast beef from Kelly's. — So don't I, dude. Every Sunday.

Origin & Usage

Documented feature of Eastern New England English; the 'positive don't' construction has been studied since at least the 1970s.

People Also Ask

What does "so don't I" mean?

It's a paradoxical bit of Boston speech that actually means "so do I" — somehow agreeing by using a negative.

How do you use "so don't I" in a sentence?

"You love the Sox? So don't I!"

Where does "so don't I" come from?

It's a regional quirk of Boston-area and New England speech, where the negative form is used to express agreement.

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