Jever is the way "Did you ever" sounds when spoken
quickly. Try it yourself.
Note: Reductions
Remember the following:
Reductions are reduced forms of
English words.
Reductions, such as jever are
not real words in English.
You need to use reductions in
order to sound more natural.
You need to know reductions in
order to understand conversations between native
English speakers.
Reductions are used extensively
in American TV, movies, music, literature, and in
conversations among native English speakers.
Reductions In Music and TV
The Kinks - Did ya
The Kinks are an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, north
London, in 1964 by brothers Ray and Dave Davies. They are regarded
as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s. The band
emerged during the height of British rhythm and blues and Merseybeat,
and were briefly part of the British Invasion of the United States
until their touring ban in 1965 (as a result of constant fighting
between the brothers). Their third single, the Ray Davies-penned
"You Really Got Me", became an international hit, topping the charts
in the United Kingdom and reaching the Top 10 in the United States.
Their music was influenced by a wide range of genres, including
American R&B and rock and roll initially, and later adopting British
music hall, folk, and country. They gained a reputation for
reflecting English culture and lifestyle, fuelled by Ray Davies'
wittily observational writing style.
This video is a good example of the usage of "jever" English language
reduction.
Use a
dictionary
to look up words you do not understand.
Lyrics
Went for a walk down the old king's road,
To see if anybody was there.
But there was nobody home at 3 bywater street,
And they had sold cadogan square.
And I remember myself in my tie dye sweater,
And my hipster corduroy flares.
As I knocked on doors,
And walked down one-way streets that led nowhere.
Ah, jever think it
wouldn't last forever? Jever think that it
would get this bad? Jever think that
everything would get so crazy?
Now the chelsea drug store needs a fix,
It's in a state of ill repair.
And my cuban heels are hurting my feet,
Just to add to my despair.
La-di-dahs drove mini cars in the summertime.
(in the summertime)
Now they're towed away for parking on a double yellow
line,
And they can't pay the fine.
(jever think) Jever think we'd all
believe the hype?
(jever think) Jever think the
classes all would revert back to type?
(jever think) Jever think the
system ever really got it right?
Oh, baby.
They filled us full of false illusions and promiscuity,
And they led us down that class-less road to mediocrity.
As we walked down that alley way of hope,
We thought we'd found the motherload,
But we were led like lambs to that promise land,
With all the debts that we would owe.
Once trendies posed for tourist pictures in the
summertime.
(in the summertime)
Not content with taking polaroids, they purchased all
the property that they could find,
And I've just sold mine. (jever!) Jever think that this
green and pleasant land,
(jever think)
Would end up in the bottom of some garbage can,
(jever think)
A dustbin full of promises and half-hearted plans.
Oh, baby. Jya,
jya,
jever think? Jever think?
(in the summertime)
Now miseries and groaners moan and reminisce about the
good old times and whine, whine, whine.
(jever think) Jever think when
things were really fab,
(jever think)
That we'd be looking through a dustbin for a dog-end to
drag,
(jever think)
And sleep on park benches wrapped in plastic bags.
Oh, baby. Jever think that it
would get this crazy?
(jever think) Jever think that it
would get this way?
(jever think) Jever think that we
would pay the price for being lazy?
The complete lesson includes an audio program explaining this
topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section,
and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program
Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
The complete lesson includes an audio program explaining this
topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section,
and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program
Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
The lesson includes an audio program explaining this
topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section,
and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program
Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
Hey Students,
Use this dictionary and reference to look up any words you do not
understand in Fun Easy English.
