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This question is Not Answered
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Amanda
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51807
Sun, 24 Oct 04 09:40 AM
Why do we say, "What do you do?" when we are asking somebody their occupation?
Joined on
Sat, Mar 13 2004
New Member
26
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Mister Micawber
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51822
Sun, 24 Oct 04 02:12 PM
Because 'do' means 'work at as a vocation' (Webster's, 'do' definition #13).
The real answer is that we say that because it is a stereotyped discoursal expression. We are always free to say instead, 'what is your occupation?'-- but we usually don't.
Joined on
Wed, Aug 4 2004
Yokohama
Veteran Member
30,825
'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'
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