use of "me"

[Dark Angel]

(1) Some people use "me" instead of "my" when they indicate possession. For instance, they say "It's me book" instead of "Its my book". Is this a regional thing?

(2) Also, some people who have two kids will refer to their kids as "my eldest" or "my youngest", when usually you'd expect them to say that only if they had more than two children. If they have only two children you'd expect them to say, "my younger son/daughter" or "elder son/daughter"

what would you use?

[Quizmonster]

'Me' as a possessive is just a regional pronunciation. It seems to be especially associated with Irish speakers, but it exists in many other areas as well. In the same way, 'ma' is sometimes used in other parts of the country. "Get aff ma bike!" for example, would be quite commonly heard in Glasgow etc. These variant pronunciations have a long history, especially if we are to believe old films about pirates and seadogs. They constantly seemed to be shouting things like: "Heave-ho, me hearties!"

Clearly, if one has only two children, 'elder' and 'younger' are the only "correct" word forms to use. However, usage is all as far as language is concerned...no matter how mistaken...so if most people now use the 'est' forms, they may well become the norm.

[THECORBYLOON]

I say "ma" but that's the Glaswegian influence in Corby. As for elder/eldest, in an event involving two teams, how many folk would say, correctly, "may the better team win?" 

[Dark Angel]

"May the best team win" - that sounds right though!. Guess it depends on the context.

[ludwig]

I reckon 'Over 'ere son - on me 'ead'  would be said the same in all parts of England, so it's not completely a regional thing. (although corbyloon would probably say ma heed).

It's also got something to do with context - e.g being from the midlands I would say 'pass us me sandwich', but I would also say 'excuse me, that's my sandwich' if anyone tried to take it.

[THECORBYLOON]

ludwig  head is "heid" but the pronunciation is correct. We call a sandwich a "piece" here.