Both answers that tried to explain are incorrect in explaining the grammaticality of the phrase. The verb "to be" is an intransitive verb, meaning it cannot take an object. English is a West Germanic language, thus some odd expressions like this have origins in our former case system. For those of you who have studied German, you will recall that it is correct to say "es ist mir kalt", or "mir ist kalt" rather than "ich bin kalt" (for the uninitiated respectively, "it is me cold" or "me is cold", rather than "I am cold"). The equivalent of the phrase "woe is me" in German is "Weh mir" (Woe (unto) me). This is because the phrase utilizes the dative case, a case English had before the Norman influence on the language after 1066. Since the conquest, the English language's accusative and dative cases merged into one oblique case, which creates the ambiguity of the (Early) Modern English usage of the phrase. Thus, the grammaticality of the phrase has its origins in an archaic system English once used, and was certainly not very foreign to Early Modern English speakers such as Shakespeare.
The use of the phrase is found in Wycliffe's translation of the Bible (1382) and William Shakespeare's Hamlet via quotes from the Bible (1602).
Wycliffe (Job 10:15) And if Y was wickid, wo is to me; and if Y was iust, Y fillid with turment and wretchidnesse `schal not reise the heed.
The term 'woe-is-me'ing would best be defined as declaring that one is in a state of distress or grief.
The use of the phrase is found in Wycliffe's translation of the Bible (1382) and William Shakespeare's Hamlet via quotes from the Bible (1602).
Wycliffe (Job 10:15) And if Y was wickid, wo is to me; and if Y was iust, Y fillid with turment and wretchidnesse `schal not reise the heed.
The term 'woe-is-me'ing would best be defined as declaring that one is in a state of distress or grief.
I took the time to explain the grammaticality of an archaic phrase on the Internet. Woe is me! I am 'woe-is-me'ing...
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Often used in competitive sports, such as professional ping pong.
Often used in competitive sports, such as professional ping pong.
by stuckinfnwilliamsburg January 11, 2007
Get the bing low mein mug.1. a fictional book written about a German slave owner who developed a homosexual attraction to his slave. The book chronicles the beginning of the German Civil rights movement.
2. A term of endearment that a German nationalist uses to refer to a comrade of African descent.
2. A term of endearment that a German nationalist uses to refer to a comrade of African descent.
Mein Nigger is an inspirational work of fiction that will touch the hearts of millions for years to come.
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*Helmut and Daquan meet up at a biergarten*
Helmut: "Daquan! What is up, mein nigger?"
Daquan:"I suppose I'm good.. Mein craker!"
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*Helmut and Daquan meet up at a biergarten*
Helmut: "Daquan! What is up, mein nigger?"
Daquan:"I suppose I'm good.. Mein craker!"
by You gonna fuck on me? September 30, 2018
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by Le Canadian Grammar Nazi January 13, 2016
Get the mein kampfy chair mug.kid: Mein Schwanz ist groß bitch
Dad: what does that mean?
Kid: im not telling
Dad: i can speak german bitch
kid: shit
Dad: your mum likes Mein großer Schwanz
*both laughs*
kid: but that wasnt you in the bedroom last night
Dad: *gets glock 17*
Dad: what does that mean?
Kid: im not telling
Dad: i can speak german bitch
kid: shit
Dad: your mum likes Mein großer Schwanz
*both laughs*
kid: but that wasnt you in the bedroom last night
Dad: *gets glock 17*
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