From a reader:
As a native of the Great Lakes, I learned the difference between “Y’all” and “All Y’all” in a rather high-stakes incident while on a road trip to the South while in college. While driving through South Carolina, a state trooper—noticing a beat up car with NY tags—pulled us over. He came to the driver side window, took notice that the car was filled with shaggy looking kids, and immediately said: “Y’all get out of the car—NOW!”
All four doors on my ’82 Buick Sedan immediately kicked open as everyone began to climb out of the car. The officer immediately became alarmed. His hand went reflexively to his sidearm, and he screamed at us: “I didn’t say ‘All Y’all’ to get out—I said ‘Y’all!!”
Luckily, the situation was resolved peacefully and without incident. But, I have never forgotten my lesson about the difference between the two!