The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #93134   Message #1788060
Posted By: Paul Burke
20-Jul-06 - 06:01 AM
Thread Name: BS: 'Inappropriate' and 'hopefully'
Subject: RE: BS: 'Inappropriate' and 'hopefully'
It's been suggested that "hopefully" (in the sense "I hope") entered English via the USA, from German- speakers who have their useful word "hoffentlich". It's been around a long time, and I of to think it could of been naturalised by now, and anyway we haven't got another word for it, only roundabout phrases.

'Actually' is just an 'er, um', back in the 80s the politicos used 'basically' in the same way. I prefer the South African 'eh?'.