23 December 2023

"Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo" explained

I remember seeing that sentence many years ago, accompanied by a detailed explanation of how it was grammatically correct.  But I couldn't remember the details, and was pleased to see the construction posted in a discussion thread at the ELI5 subreddit.

The key is to understand that the uncapitalized word "buffalo" can refer to the animal or to the verb meaning "to bully/harass," and the capitalized Buffalo refers to the city in New York state.  One can also insert clarifying words ("Buffalo buffalo, whom Buffalo buffalo buffalo, also buffalo other Buffalo buffalo"), and then omit the clarifying words as is sometimes done in standard spoken English.

See also the Wikipedia page for tons more information. 

2 comments:

  1. This is also nicely explained in the respective Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_buffalo_Buffalo_buffalo_buffalo_buffalo_Buffalo_buffalo

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    Replies
    1. I didn't know there was a Wikipedia page for this. Link added to the post. Thanks, anonymous person.

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