Dialect

From Brackbillwiki

The Lancaster County dialect includes some expressions from Pennsylvania German (Dutch) and other sources.

Expressions

Once is frequently used in the sense of for once. (We ... had quite an enjoyable evening home once.)

Till is used in the sense of by (as in till dinner).

Red or Ret up is used in the sense of getting something together or cleaning up. Herman rets up breakfast one morning.

Grammatical constructions

Adjective forms as adverbs: Adjectives, especially intensifiers, are used as adverbs frequently for emphasis (terrible busy.)