IJ study archive

how to spot an outsider

quote

People outside the Boston AA community always use The and say The Ennet House; this is one way to always tell somebody new or from outside the community.

Context

The community's shibboleth: insiders say "Ennet House," outsiders say "The Ennet House," and the stray article marks you as new or foreign to the fellowship. The tribal boundary drawn by a single definite article — belonging measured in grammar.

In anthology