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iando
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 7:15 pm
Post subject: "dual" number |
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Some English nouns such as glasses, binoculars,trousers, pants, bellows are
handled as if they were separated in two though they are actually single
objects.
Does anyone know how and when these ideas were imported into English
language in history or any reference about their history?
Thanks
ando
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Nate Branscom
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 7:42 pm
Post subject: Re: "dual" number |
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iando wrote:
| Quote: | Some English nouns such as glasses, binoculars,trousers, pants, bellows are
handled as if they were separated in two though they are actually single
objects.
Does anyone know how and when these ideas were imported into English
language in history or any reference about their history?
Thanks
ando
|
'Glasses' is treated as plural because their are 2 lenses (as opposed
to an eyeglass or a monocle). 'Binoculars' was brought over to English
as plural (see binocolos, jumelles). The same goes with
trousers/pants. A propos bellows - beats me.
--Nate |
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Ross Howard
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 7:52 pm
Post subject: Re: "dual" number |
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On 3 Nov 2005 04:42:18 -0800, "Nate Branscom" <the_n8ball@hotmail.com>
wrought:
| Quote: |
iando wrote:
Some English nouns such as glasses, binoculars,trousers, pants, bellows are
handled as if they were separated in two though they are actually single
objects.
Does anyone know how and when these ideas were imported into English
language in history or any reference about their history?
Thanks
ando
'Glasses' is treated as plural because their are 2 lenses (as opposed
to an eyeglass or a monocle). 'Binoculars' was brought over to English
as plural (see binocolos, jumelles). The same goes with
trousers/pants. A propos bellows - beats me.
|
You need two hands, each having its own grip? Or because the way of
operating them is similar to that of the also-plural shears, which in
turn are basically big scissors?
--
Ross Howard
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Nate Branscom
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 8:07 am
Post subject: Re: "dual" number |
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| Quote: | I wrote
'Glasses' is treated as plural because their are 2 lenses (as opposed
to an eyeglass or a monocle). 'Binoculars' was brought over to English
as plural (see binocolos, jumelles). The same goes with
trousers/pants. A propos bellows - beats me.
Ross Howard wrote:
You need two hands, each having its own grip? Or because the way of
operating them is similar to that of the also-plural shears, which in
turn are basically big scissors?
|
I'll buy that. Especially, since the bellows, basically, consists of
two paddles wrapped in leather (or a similar material). I was tired,
so reasoning was near death when I wrote that.
Also, I just noticed my use of 'their'. That was an editing error, so
don't "Oy!" me, please.
-- Nate |
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Nate Branscom
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 8:08 am
Post subject: Re: "dual" number |
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Charles Riggs wrote:
| Quote: | Although I'm not certain what the criteria are for what does and
doesn't justify an Oy! response, I don't think a misspelling should be
sufficient reason. In my view, Oy!s have no raison d'ętre unless there
is the possibility an ensuing discussion of English usage might
result.
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Hmmm, yes, I see. I will take note and tip-toe away.
-- Nate |
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Charles Riggs
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 8:08 am
Post subject: Re: "dual" number |
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On 3 Nov 2005 19:13:04 -0800, "Nate Branscom" <the_n8ball@hotmail.com>
wrote:
| Quote: | Also, I just noticed my use of 'their'. That was an editing error, so
don't "Oy!" me, please.
|
Although I'm not certain what the criteria are for what does and
doesn't justify an Oy! response, I don't think a misspelling should be
sufficient reason. In my view, Oy!s have no raison d’ętre unless there
is the possibility an ensuing discussion of English usage might
result.
--
Charles Riggs |
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