a whole nother

You know that feeling when you trip and you're about to fall but then you catch yourself? That in-between time of suspense sums up well how I feel this morning. Allow me to explain.


The trip...

This morning, Karen Barker, speaking to our seminar, said, "That's a whole other conversation..." Not only did she not say "nother" but she placed added emphasis on "other."

About to fall...

I was shocked, because I don't think that I have ever heard or read about this construction.

Catching myself...

But not a half-hour later, she said, "That's a whole nother conversation."