I had this epiphany th'other day, and I had to run upstairs to tell my roommate (who was the last person to say it to me):
We have this stupid formulaic response in the States (it's probably supposed to be quaint country-talk) for when you're asking permission to call someone a nickname or such. The person says:
"Steven, eh? Can I call you 'Steve'?"
"Call me what(ever) you want(/like), just don't call me late for dinner."
Now, I always interpreted this latter part such that 'late' introduced an adjectival verb phrase functioning as an epithet, because we're talking about names after all. So it's as if to say, 'You could call me anything, like a liar, a thief, a fool, etc., but don't call me (someone who is) late for dinner (because nothing could be less true).' Which is why I thought it was funny, 'cause in my head this character doesn't mind being called far worse things, he just likes to eat & is prompt to do so.
But now I realize that 'late' is functioning adverbially(!), and of course 'call' is not = L nomino 'call a name' but rather = L arcesso 'call toward, summon'. As in, "I want to eat when it's hot." which to me is not funny in the least unless hokey and ironical (which it always is, in the north anyway).
