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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14 |
I remember being taught "mothers-in-law" and "trades union" (and also "courts martial") as correct English (although I've never had call to use any of them). Along similar lines does anyone have an opinion on what is the accepted plural of "son of a gun" (and the obvious alternative)? What I was taught suggests "Sons of a gun", but common-sense dictates this can't be right - it would have to be "Sons of guns" because the "guns" would be different...
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
upstanding member That's it, I'm outta here. CK, may I borrow your tent? ========================================================== Goatboy (I am very curious as to how you came by that name, by the way), you're giving me a headache with your sons of guns. Try thinking of the expression as son-of-a-gun--that should clear things right up. 
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146 |
That's it, I'm outta here. CK, may I borrow your tent?Well, I'll have to ask it, but I don't think it has anything on this weekend ... Nope, it's free. All yours. Come and get it. 
The idiot also known as Capfka ...
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Nope, it's free. All yours. Come and get it.Thanks, Sweetie! (whew)  On my way.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
<<(although I've never had call to use any of them)
As in, "I was speaking to my mothers-in-law"?
courts martial -- courts marital
trades union -- I've always heard trade union/trade unions; on no information and belief, I would guess trades union was singular and the plural 'trades unions'.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981 |
>Sorry, Jo, but while the construction of "mother-in-law" is a noun modified by an adjective ...
Funny, I don't remember having a view on this, is my memory really that bad?
By the way, you are f-a-r from safe in Wellingborough, I am a great traveller you know and I have a very good information network. You will, like TEd, have to warm the teapot. Be warned.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 618
addict
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addict
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 618 |
I'd be inclined to agree with Goatboy and go for sons of guns. The only similar example which springs to mind is son of a b**** which became sons of b****es in the movie "O brother, where art thou?" (Not that I necessarily believe this to be an optimal source of information)
And I managed to avoid any sexual innuendo. Except maybe inclined. And springs. Damn you people.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065 |
In reply to:
The size of your fig leaf is the stuff of history.
Just so long as it is understood that while it may be making history, it is not history yet.
Bingley
Bingley
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 609
addict
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addict
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 609 |
out-laws for in-laws
I have heard the phrase out-laws (for in-laws) and even parents-out-law fairly often, but it is usually applied to parents of the partner in a long standing but non-legalised partnership. Which leads to me to the word question, why are parents of a spouse in-law? Are there, or were there once upon a time, rights and responsibilities, bestowed by this relationship? Inheritance, rights of succession and wardship for child brides are areas that spring to mind as possibilities.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065 |
I think the idea is that in (canon?) law your e.g. parents-in-law have the same relationship to you as your own parents for the rules about who you can and can't marry (after your spouse and theirs have died of course).
Bingley
Bingley
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