Language is a funny thing. It's not like maths where there's only one right answer. In anticipation to the next question. We use maths in the plural to describe the three branches of algebra, arithmetric and geometry.
Conversation with one of the several American English dialects.
Whar b da brim?
Go down da big, caster by ah strub. Maybe comeupa buff.
K!
Anyone care to translate? Hint, overheard in a bait and tackle shop near Turkey Scratch TN.
Wellhiem wrote:
Language is a funny thing. It's not like maths where there's only one right answer. In anticipation to the next question. We use maths in the plural to describe the three branches of algebra, arithmetric and geometry.
"maths" is short for "mathematics" which is a plural. I'm trying to think of another plural word which has a shortened version, but my brain is blank at the moment.
rocar7 wrote:
Wellhiem wrote:
Language is a funny thing. It's not like maths where there's only one right answer. In anticipation to the next question. We use maths in the plural to describe the three branches of algebra, arithmetric and geometry.
"maths" is short for "mathematics" which is a plural. I'm trying to think of another plural word which has a shortened version, but my brain is blank at the moment.
I don't disagree but, I don't ever recall using or even hearing the work in the singular, "I took a mathematic course this year."
treehugger wrote:
Conversation with one of the several American English dialects.
Whar b da brim?
Go down da big, caster by ah strub. Maybe comeupa buff.
K!
Anyone care to translate? Hint, overheard in a bait and tackle shop near Turkey Scratch TN.
Yeah they're looking for crappie(a type fish) to catch.
For those who missed it, the word East has an errant letter in the original poster's location.
Anyone wanting to find out where some Americanisms come from should check out Chaucer.
rocar7 wrote:
Wellhiem wrote:
tlbuljac wrote:
I think I've "gotten" used to it
I think I've become used to it. "gotten" should be used in the same way as "obtained", as in "ill gotten gains".
Forgotten, mis-begotten.
Most of "us guys" who grew up in blue collar states understand exactly what "I've gotten used to it" means. However, "I've grown accustomed to her face" wouldn't sound quite the same if it were "I've gotten used to her mug."
TchrBill wrote:
rocar7 wrote:
Wellhiem wrote:
Language is a funny thing. It's not like maths where there's only one right answer. In anticipation to the next question. We use maths in the plural to describe the three branches of algebra, arithmetric and geometry.
"maths" is short for "mathematics" which is a plural. I'm trying to think of another plural word which has a shortened version, but my brain is blank at the moment.
I don't disagree but, I don't ever recall using or even hearing the work in the singular, "I took a mathematic course this year."
quote=rocar7 quote=Wellhiem Language is a funny ... (
show quote)
That's what I mean, really."Mathematics" is always used as a plural when it's a noun, so perhaps the shortened version should always be plural too? "Math" is an Americanism, everybody else says "maths". When it's an adjective it can be used in the singular, as in "a mathematic impossibility", though you could also say "mathematical".
It's like "physics", also always plural, but the adjective "physical" is singular.
BWrep1 Said I can't spell east. WellI can but I do have thick fingers.Comes with age
Oh how I hate the french ways, example colour, centre. The German way is amusing, why use 3 words if one will do. example einbahnstrasse. or kriegsgefangener.
The way things are going you might all be talking Spanish soon
WHAT ! Remember the ALAMO. How dare you.
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