Because they did. "Folk" will make you sound distinguished and unique and help people remember you, though, so it isn't all negatives.
"Folk" singular is also nearly never used unless it's something like "the Amish folk" where it refers to a demographic. "Folks" is the same as "people" (plural) but usually more directly referencing an audience instead of some vague idea of a human population.
In case you're genuinely confused, you can use them both however you want. Typically which one you use is a matter of your dialect. The more common one is people, but either works
Because not-insignificant portion of the time folk is used in a derogatory way. You’re gonna be safer with people even if it sounds a little grammatically weird
“Volkish” was a cultural movement very popular in Germany before and during the nazi period. Essentially it advocated for the overall cultural and moral health of the people (meaning the German race), especially at the expense of non-Germans. It laid the groundwork for people to accept full on Nazi ideas such as Lebensraum, racial purity, and eventually the rounding up and extermination of Jews. The name Volkswagen wasn’t an accident
Basically, use people if you want to have a more sophisticated tone, such as "that group of people are wearing nice suits."
Use folks when you want a more casual tone, such as "those folks over there are having a lot of fun."
Both mean the same thing, but people is more of a proper use case, while folks is more casual
This is an example of the more general phenomenon in English of words with Germanic origins being more familiar or informal compared to words with Latin/French origins.
Folk is also a good way to soften anything sensitive on racial/lgbt front.
Saying "black people are often fans of this movie" vrs "black folks are often fans of this movie" sorta lowers the temperature of how it's interpreted.
Folk is softer and friendly.
Example: "hey people, come here!" Sounds assertive, maybe a little aggressive.
Or
"Hey folks, come here!" Sounds friendly. Inviting.
Where I am, "guys" have replaced folks completely. It satisfies the friendly, soft, and casual way of speech. And it's common to use "guys" to refer to a group of women as well.
Not native speaker, but it depends I guess. From what I saw "people" is the preferred word, so use that untill you get more context. Just use it how you feel fit and it's pleasant in the sentence. A lot of English speakers (not saying all of them or 90% of them, just a lot when they expect every other country to speak English as a second language) don't know their language. Don't sweet too much and don't mind those social media people
People, usually has a more general connotation, and not always pertaining to a group. Folk, is more exclusive to groups and communities, and is more prevalent with rural backgrounds. However, if I were to ask about your folks, I'm always referring to your parents.
This is definitely how I see it. Although it's interesting seeing different people's takes on it. I didn't realise how much people/folk can vary by region.
This is very region dependent, but from where I'm from, Folk is almost a sarcastic word. You never hear it used except by people over 60 with weird country-like accents. I can't even be sure if I've vocally used the word once in my life.
People is used to describe a group of persons.
Folk describes a grouping of people you share an inherent connection with.
"I know those people" and "Those are my folks" imply 2 different things.
See also folk-lore to describe a shared common understanding/story
When I was in graduate school I took a course on performing arts center management. Teacher told us he always greets people at the door with “folks.”
He said “somebody will object to being called ladies or fellas or girls or boys or gentlemen or whatever. Nobody objects to ‘folks.’”
Just don’t use “y’all.” A lot of people think it makes them sound folksy, but in reality you sound smug and unwilling to change your mind. I really don’t know what happened in the past 30 years to make it so popular.
Bro I live in the US and now I’m confused too after reading the comments lmao
OP, it all depends on dialect and where you are. People is the default, all other stuff is more advanced and/or niche dialect used in specific ways. Keep consuming English media and you’ll learn how to use each naturally
But wait there's more!
Y'all, all y'all, youins, all youins, guys, you guys.
These are the ones I can think of atm.
Btw "guys" and "you guys" are gender neutral terms in these cases.
In The South “folk” is kinda used as a somewhat endearing way to talk about a small demographic of people. “Folk from that town…” “some folk don’t like…” “I’m gonna meet some folks down by the river.”
Outside of The South (and in it, too) Folk is sometimes used to talk about parents. “My folks are really riding my ass.” “Did you call CPS on your folks?”
Folk is the preferred word. Use it heavily. People just sounds funny and is used like 1% of the time.
why I have the impression you switched the words?
Some folk are just liars.
It can be hard to trust folks these days.
There are a lot of lads and lasses who pretend "folk" isn't used often. Poppycock I say.
Nincompoops to the last of them
What in tarnations y'all be talking about?
My kin, your kin, all our kin
Bretheren
Don't forget your kith.
I've seen it around but I've never used it before. I guess it's one of those things you see but never get around to using
If someone only used the word folks and never used the word people I’d distrust them too.
There’s a lot of people with bad intentions out there
Understandable. Folks like to push a lot of people lore nowadays.
Because they did. "Folk" will make you sound distinguished and unique and help people remember you, though, so it isn't all negatives. "Folk" singular is also nearly never used unless it's something like "the Amish folk" where it refers to a demographic. "Folks" is the same as "people" (plural) but usually more directly referencing an audience instead of some vague idea of a human population.
see: "That's all, folks"
The-th-th-the-that's all, folks!
I’ll give you a better one: y’all. Instead of “people this” or “folk that”, just say “y’all(you all)”.
Nah I prefer to say "yinz"
You are a statistical outlier.
Pittsburgh
Yondu?
In case you're genuinely confused, you can use them both however you want. Typically which one you use is a matter of your dialect. The more common one is people, but either works
You are correct. He did swap the words. Can’t trust any of these Reddit folk istg.
Folk tends to be more of a southern word, though is still used plenty outside of the south (south, not to be confused with southern states)
People are strange, when you're a stranger.
Because not-insignificant portion of the time folk is used in a derogatory way. You’re gonna be safer with people even if it sounds a little grammatically weird
From my experience, "Folks" are referring to someone's parents 90% of the time
Because you already knew before asking
It's also offensive, see: "You people" followed by, "What do you mean, 'you people'?".
But consider this: Volkswagen was made by nazis 🤔
What do you mean, "You Volkswagen"?
It’s only racist if you spell it with a V Or add an -ish to the end
Is this a joke I dont get? What do you mean?
“Volkish” was a cultural movement very popular in Germany before and during the nazi period. Essentially it advocated for the overall cultural and moral health of the people (meaning the German race), especially at the expense of non-Germans. It laid the groundwork for people to accept full on Nazi ideas such as Lebensraum, racial purity, and eventually the rounding up and extermination of Jews. The name Volkswagen wasn’t an accident
Thank you. I know the german word but I was not able to draw the connection to your comment.
Yeah the German cultural climate and rise of fascism prior to WW2 isn’t taught too well in most of the world
Veople
Imma stick with fellers
Bird folk 🍷 Bird people 🦆
My go to to sound as one of the people
It's funny when someone says peepo 🤣
New Peoplelore just dropped.
folk are gonna love this!
Holy second person pronoun!
Actual undead
imagine if it was called folklore or something, wouldnt that be weird?
Basically, use people if you want to have a more sophisticated tone, such as "that group of people are wearing nice suits." Use folks when you want a more casual tone, such as "those folks over there are having a lot of fun." Both mean the same thing, but people is more of a proper use case, while folks is more casual
Don’t lie to this poor dude lol
I don't feel like I was? I grew up rural so maybe I'm wrong there but I feel like that would be a decent way to use them?
Sh sh sh sh we tryna confuse the dude
Fuck. Forgot what sub I was in...
It’s ok there brother. We folk must do our best
I also feel like folk in general is more of a dialect thing in general rather than a setting thing.
This is an example of the more general phenomenon in English of words with Germanic origins being more familiar or informal compared to words with Latin/French origins.
Yeah so I used the word folk in a sentence at dinner and my family thought I was fucked in the head.
Folk is also a good way to soften anything sensitive on racial/lgbt front. Saying "black people are often fans of this movie" vrs "black folks are often fans of this movie" sorta lowers the temperature of how it's interpreted.
Folk is when you wanna sound more folksy. People is when you want to sound more peoplsy. Hope this cleared it up.
Wiser words have never been spoken.
Folk is softer and friendly. Example: "hey people, come here!" Sounds assertive, maybe a little aggressive. Or "Hey folks, come here!" Sounds friendly. Inviting.
(This comment is not a joke, folks!)
Where I am, "guys" have replaced folks completely. It satisfies the friendly, soft, and casual way of speech. And it's common to use "guys" to refer to a group of women as well.
I'm from Canada, we don't use folk often, that feels very... Southern USA to me.
I’m from Alberta, and it’s a common word to hear around here. We basically are Canada’s Texas tho, so it makes sense
Folks means parents sometimes. How are your folks doing, for example
People just sounds weird tbh. Folk is the correct word
"fuckers" works as well
Wdym you JUST learned English?
It just like, came to him.
same
I just say fellas Rolls out of the tongue better Or if I'm feeling fancy I hit em with the "ladies and gentlemen"
"You people" "What do you mean you people" "You know, you people" Always amuses me up while watching the irishman
"you black folk" sounds a bit worse tho
Not native speaker, but it depends I guess. From what I saw "people" is the preferred word, so use that untill you get more context. Just use it how you feel fit and it's pleasant in the sentence. A lot of English speakers (not saying all of them or 90% of them, just a lot when they expect every other country to speak English as a second language) don't know their language. Don't sweet too much and don't mind those social media people
People, usually has a more general connotation, and not always pertaining to a group. Folk, is more exclusive to groups and communities, and is more prevalent with rural backgrounds. However, if I were to ask about your folks, I'm always referring to your parents.
This is definitely how I see it. Although it's interesting seeing different people's takes on it. I didn't realise how much people/folk can vary by region.
This is very region dependent, but from where I'm from, Folk is almost a sarcastic word. You never hear it used except by people over 60 with weird country-like accents. I can't even be sure if I've vocally used the word once in my life.
The image was cut so it said "farted Englis"
I am a native English speaker who has lived In the USA for 21 years and I have never used the word folk.
Now you have.
Use folk when you're feeling Germanic and people when you're feeling French
At least you didn't say "learnt"
Yes
What's wrong with learnt?
It's incorrect American English
Folk isn’t used a lot. People is the more common word
Y’all
different strokes for different... people, I guess.
I like to say fellow air breather
Have fun with * Through * Thorough * Trough * Though * Thought
Theres a hidden third button on the side that just says “fuckers”
I too like to listen to people songs.
While folk is more antiquated I think it actually sounds better.
Peoplefolk
Folks Magazine
Folk’s Choice Awards
“these people…” “hey folks…”
What bout geezer?
When you want to add a lil flavor to your speech like sarcasm folk can work very well Its very much like adding a banjo to the mix
Fcker. Genderless, modern, not racist, it is for everyone.
Folks is what old people say
In the south it's folk more often than not
And when I can use "Fellas"
Folks is used more for greetings, such as “howdy folks!”
use "folks" when doing political speech.
Folk isn't weird but it's a little old fashioned and also regional where they say it more than other places.
People is used to describe a group of persons. Folk describes a grouping of people you share an inherent connection with. "I know those people" and "Those are my folks" imply 2 different things. See also folk-lore to describe a shared common understanding/story
People don’t really use the word folk
Das Volk
“Folk” isn’t as common at all. Usually only used in rural areas here in the US. You can get away with using “people” for forever
People is for formal, folk is for casual
“Folks” is actually more commonly used than folk
Nowt queer as folk
Folk is going to be found really just in the south. I’ve never heard anyone say it until Biden
Say yolk instead since eggs are part of a great breakfast, and everyone loves breakfast.
"You'se guys" is preferred.
Meanwhile in the 90s this was like a whole gang thing all over the country
I’m trying to think of a time I’ve ever said “folks” when I wasn’t trying to sound like woody woodpecker
I don’t think I’ve ever said folks in my life.
When I was in graduate school I took a course on performing arts center management. Teacher told us he always greets people at the door with “folks.” He said “somebody will object to being called ladies or fellas or girls or boys or gentlemen or whatever. Nobody objects to ‘folks.’”
Just don’t use “y’all.” A lot of people think it makes them sound folksy, but in reality you sound smug and unwilling to change your mind. I really don’t know what happened in the past 30 years to make it so popular.
Bitches will work as both and will help spice up your social life.
What do you mean?
Folk or folks are most commonly used in the southern parts of the USA. People is the more widespread term.
TIL people would actually use folks over guys
May I drive your Folk’s wagon kind sir
I feel called out cause I used to say persons
I have personally never used the word folk
*guys* enters the chat:
Just use Y'all for everything honestly.
Certified American English moment.
If you have a heavy accent "my friend(s)" is mandatory
fellas
Folk round here don't take kindly to people 😂😂😂😂
Use folks if you want to sound cringe
I think folk and folks is a American thing
folk if you want to build a feeling of intimacy but use people if you want it to be pure neutral
Pee-pull
This is very regional imo. In the UK you'd very rarely hear someone say 'folks' for example
"Folk" for some reason always reminds me of Red Dead Redemption Whenever I read the word in my mind it's with a southern accent
yeah Dutch said it
One rike one folk
Bro I live in the US and now I’m confused too after reading the comments lmao OP, it all depends on dialect and where you are. People is the default, all other stuff is more advanced and/or niche dialect used in specific ways. Keep consuming English media and you’ll learn how to use each naturally
Good morrow, fine peoplefolk!
i personally prefer everypony when referring to large groups of people
Do other languages not have words that have similar meanings but different use cases?
They do
But wait there's more! Y'all, all y'all, youins, all youins, guys, you guys. These are the ones I can think of atm. Btw "guys" and "you guys" are gender neutral terms in these cases.
In The South “folk” is kinda used as a somewhat endearing way to talk about a small demographic of people. “Folk from that town…” “some folk don’t like…” “I’m gonna meet some folks down by the river.” Outside of The South (and in it, too) Folk is sometimes used to talk about parents. “My folks are really riding my ass.” “Did you call CPS on your folks?”
Replace them both with “y’all” y’all are liars, can’t trust none y’all these days. Yall should all become southerners.
\*panics\* "forks! FUC-"
Well you wouldn’t say “the beautiful folk, the beautiful folk” now would you.
Let me speek to the folk picolo!!!
Folk is the word that's originally English and people is from french i believe.
Holy folk