DEAR ABBY: The reader survey on "pet peeve" words in the English language causes me to note that I am a born and bred Southerner. And we Southerners do have a wonderful language! We never say with one word what we can say with two.
We water our flowers with a hose pipe. Something happens each and every day. Our children have two first names: Anne Marie, Charlie Ray, Billy Bob, Camellia Ann. A person has yellow jaundice. A small, tiny baby is cute. The two twins are sisters. Our pet is a kitty cat. Our other pet is a hound dog. We eat breakfast bacon and corn grits. We climb up the stairs. A house either burns up or burns down.
Well, I could go on and on for a month of Sundays, but I don't want to be redundant. Abby, I tell you the truth and it's not a lie -- the South is a truly wonderful place! -- MARIE T. WILLHITE, BRENTWOOD, TENN.
DEAR MARIE: I do declare, Miss Marie, I'm going to publish your fine letter -- God willing, and the creeks don't rise! Thanks so much for writing.