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Former Member
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Re: Math or Maths, that is the question!

Personally, think the Ammies got it right, again: It's "Doing Math" and "My Maths were terrific" (regardless, no matter what, their glass is 3/4 full when conversing with them over the phone :). Reading densnaps' circa 1793 dictionary, maybe it would be better to make the plural "mathae", but then some would confuse this with the phonetic for a Judo term though that is correctly spelled as "Mate" and that is very much Aussie ;>)

Language is such fun, no matter "To S or not to S, that's the question".

--//--

PS, and "mathematicks" is the best... some get a tick from math :P
[May 6, 2011 8:44:08 AM]   Link   Report threatening or abusive post: please login first  Go to top 
sk..
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Re: Math or Maths, that is the question!

Most people in the UK cringe at the use of "math", it has no place in the English language without an s.
I'm just happy the Americans don't use maf.
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Re: Math or Maths, that is the question!

From the way that dictionary reads, I'd almost expect to hear/see "Mathf."

As an abbrevation of Mathematics, Math is better than Maths. The s at the end is not needed in order to convey the proper meaning.
When I see the word "Maths" I expect someone to be referring to multiple equations as opposed to a single subject.
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deltavee
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Re: Math or Maths, that is the question!

I'm just happy the Americans don't use maf.
Oh, but we do. Just aks anyone. wink
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[Edit 1 times, last edit by deltavee at May 6, 2011 2:34:11 PM]
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sk..
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Re: Math or Maths, that is the question!

As an abbrevation of Mathematics, Math is better than Maths. The s at the end is not needed in order to convey the proper meaning.
When I see the word "Maths" I expect someone to be referring to multiple equations as opposed to a single subject.
To UK English speakers, Math would be an abbreviation of Mathematic (a spelling mistake in UK English). Mathematics is the science of calculations. Mathematics is a plural word and there is no singular. Without the S it's just not a word in English, UK/Australian/NZ/SA...
Might explain why Americans don't wear trousers,

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Re: Math or Maths, that is the question!


As an abbrevation of Mathematics, Math is better than Maths.......
Only to an american biggrin
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Re: Math or Maths, that is the question!

So, as a framework or subject term "Mathematics", can be fairly seen as singular, or, after all when you go to the fancy fair (no s), do you go to one or more events, and when going to a pop concert, is there 1 act or more acts...

As I said, language is fun, and in New Zealand they where no wear [homophones galore in Inglse] trouser lengths (singular or plural?) just as in that image with a bow tie and long socks. Just aks :D

--//--
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Re: Math or Maths, that is the question!

....why is it a 'pair' of trousers when there is only one of them? Unlike a pair of gloves which has two of them! biggrin
[May 6, 2011 7:45:52 PM]   Link   Report threatening or abusive post: please login first  Go to top 
deltavee
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Re: Math or Maths, that is the question!

....why is it a 'pair' of trousers when there is only one of them? biggrin
Or as we call them in the U.S., pants. Which I once found to my great embarassment has a completely different meaning in the UK.
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Re: Math or Maths, that is the question!

Or as we call them in the U.S., pants. Which I once found to my great embarassment has a completely different meaning in the UK.
As in third form singular verb? blushing
It seems as if a thing is joined as in a pair of trousers with two legs it is viewed as two. Like a pair of scissors and ditto pincers.
If we move to underwear we have shorts which is a pair, panties, that are plural, but not a pair, probably because of lack of legs.
Pantyhose on the contrary is as far as I know singular. How come?
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[Edit 1 times, last edit by Former Member at May 6, 2011 8:30:11 PM]
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