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English phrase "Can I help WHO's next?"



 
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ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
"by ourself" vs "on our own" | Expression: steal a day's march on him
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English phrase "Can I help WHO's next?" #1 (permalink) Thu Aug 23, 2007 5:46 am   English phrase "Can I help WHO's next?"
 

In what part of English speaking world can you hear "Can I help who's next?" in, for example, fast food shops? :shock:
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English phrase "Can I help WHO's next?" #2 (permalink) Thu Aug 23, 2007 6:37 am   English phrase "Can I help WHO's next?"
 

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There is extended discussion on this, as you know, HERE.
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English phrase "Can I help WHO's next?" #3 (permalink) Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:12 am   English phrase "Can I help WHO's next?"
 

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I can vouch for the fact that this is a very common sentence in Connecticut (USA), but not just in fast food places. You hear it wherever there is a line of people waiting for a cashier -- cashiers seem to be particularly fond of this sentence.

After reading the other threads, it seems this sentence is common in many other places in North America too.
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English phrase "Can I help WHO's next?" #4 (permalink) Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:58 am   English phrase "Can I help WHO's next?"
 

There seem to be quite a few explanations as to the origin of this phrase and to me it sounds like two separate questions that are being asked in quick succession: Can I help? Who is next?

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