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Question: In "To Kill a Mockingbird"!.!.!.!?
We are readin this book for English so I was reading it just now, and they keep saying "Nome" instead of "no" and I was wondering why!. Is it like saying "no ma'am" and sticking it together, or is it just the way they say "no" in Alabama, or at the time it was set!?

also near the begining, why did they block off the road and put straw on the pavement when Mr Radley (Boo Radley's dad) was dying!? Was it so it was quiet so he wasn't disturbed or something!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
It does seem that in the southern states of America there is a tendency to run words together, so that 'no ma'am' would become Nome!. For instance, in Gone with the Wind Scarlett's sister Susan Ellen became Suellen and Caroline Irene became Careen!. Just a local way of speaking!.

Not sure that I agree with the previous contributor who said that Boo Radley was a troublemaker!. Certainly he was locked away for doing something that was considered beyond the pale, but my impression was that it was something socially embarrassing rather than bad or criminal!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It is the way they talked!.

Boo Radley was a trouble maker that ran afoul the law!. In his disgust, his dad cut off all ties with the community and punish Boo by making him stay indoors!. Hence, during his passing, it was only natural for them to block off the road as the family did not want visitations!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

many times, horse drawn wagons or hauling trucks would go down town roads and create a tremendous racket so they were detoured around this block!. The straw was to muffle the sounds of traffic and everyday noise so old Mr Nathan could die in peace!. Today we have hospice!. it is simplier!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Rag is correct!.

"nome" is a southern colloquialism, pronounced the way it's spelled!. Kind of like y'all (you all)!. Theenk ov trryeeng to spell ze way eet sound ven someone eez speeking viz a heavee akzent!. (poor attempt at French phonetic writing, apologies, no offense intended!.)Www@QuestionHome@Com

it just the way of saying no, the straw is out of respect and so when the coffin is brought down the road there is no traffic and a sort of 'path'
hope i helped xWww@QuestionHome@Com

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