A recent documentary on BBC 4 in the UK featured an interview with a surprisingly young-looking Pat Boone, telling the story of who tried to do just this, changing "Ain't that a shame" to "Isn't that a shame". He was persuaded otherwise. You can currently see the documentary here http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0615nmw/rock-n-roll-america-1-sweet-little-sixteen on BBC iPlayer (although I'm not sure about international access).
There once was a rhyme for inordinate
But Language Log readers were hoardin' it.
The poets complained
But, though visibly pained,
They refused to declare a reward on it.
.
The search for a rhyme for inordinate
Was missing a crucial coordinate.
Till those who feared crimes
in poems licensed near-rhymes
And their mightiest then stuck a sword in it.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
GeorgeW said,
July 16, 2015 @ 5:32 am
Actually, "ain't . . . none" (or "ain't . . . no" in other contexts) sounds more grammatical to me than "ain't . . . any."
David Morris said,
July 16, 2015 @ 7:26 am
"Elderly man river … he doesn't say anything" Stan Freberg and Daws Butler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLlTlYfqQV4
Bill Benzon said,
July 16, 2015 @ 7:34 am
ROTFLMFAO! Thanks for this, Mark.
Jon Haslam said,
July 16, 2015 @ 9:34 am
A recent documentary on BBC 4 in the UK featured an interview with a surprisingly young-looking Pat Boone, telling the story of who tried to do just this, changing "Ain't that a shame" to "Isn't that a shame". He was persuaded otherwise. You can currently see the documentary here http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0615nmw/rock-n-roll-america-1-sweet-little-sixteen on BBC iPlayer (although I'm not sure about international access).
Adrian Morgan said,
July 16, 2015 @ 9:41 am
There once was a rhyme for inordinate
But Language Log readers were hoardin' it.
The poets complained
But, though visibly pained,
They refused to declare a reward on it.
.
rootlesscosmo said,
July 16, 2015 @ 11:38 am
"You used to have a thankless job, but you only got bored in it…" (w/apologies to Bobby Zimmerman)
Narmitaj said,
July 16, 2015 @ 12:40 pm
What rhymes with inordinate?
Gerald Ford, innit.
Stan Carey said,
July 17, 2015 @ 3:25 am
@Adrian:
The search for a rhyme for inordinate
Was missing a crucial coordinate.
Till those who feared crimes
in poems licensed near-rhymes
And their mightiest then stuck a sword in it.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
DWalker said,
July 17, 2015 @ 11:56 am
@GeorgeW:
"Ain't No Sunshine When Sheeeee's Gone…… It's not warm when she's away…"
Bill Withers sang it right!
And bravo, Adrian Morgan!