How did “take” and “have” become interchangeable? How does this make sense?

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EG I’m going to take a smoke break
VS. I’m going go have a smoke break

EG. I’m going to take a piss
VS. I’m going to have a piss

How did “have” and “take” become actionable verbs in this context? They don’t even make sense. Shouldn’t it really be:

I’m going for a smoke break
I’m going for a piss

Not that I will be adjusting my speech or anything. Just a strange thought.

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5 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

They are both about taking or having possession.

You take possession of something. Or you have possession of something.

To have a smoke break, means you’re going to possess, own or control a smoke break.

To take a piss, means you’re going to take advantage of the opportunity to gain a piss.

It’s about control, or removing from others, or taking possession of a time, place, opportunity, advantage, etc. It’s a form of self-empowering.

English is full of all kinds of histories, languages, grammars and evolutions, this is a pretty minor one, to be honest.

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