used to could

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

A vulgarism used in the Southern States for could formerly; as, 'I cannot do it now, but I used to could.'--Sherwood's Georgia. We had set this down as a native vulgarism, until we discovered it in the poem called John Noakes and Mary Styles, illustrating the Essex dialect of England.


I don't think I cud clime it now,

Altho' I uster could;

I should't warsley loike to try,

For guelch cum down I should.

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