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If you correctly ask "may I have a caramel" the correct reply is, "yes, you
may."
The CORRECT answer is "NO, they'll ruin your teeth and besides, I just
had the last one".
In American English, "can" is often used as a permission rather than
ability, and not just by people under 20. It's in common usage.
When I was a boy, there was a mother down the street who was a little
snooty and when her son asked "Can I have a glass of milk?", she would
reply "You can but you mayn't". Talk about losing the battle and the war.
I'd be surprised today if this now-grown man EVER used the word "mayn't"
and probably still uses "can" as a permission.
Such is language.
The idea of a new language / alphabet based upon internet texting IS
fascinating. Another poster is correct, it all started with hams'
abbreviations in CW.
Is there perhaps an earlier precedent?
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