Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Paine in the Neck
"These phenomenon..."

Reminds me of a great Dave Barry "Ask Mr. Language Person" column:

Q. When should I say "phenomena," and when should I say "phenomenon?"

A. "Phenomena" is what grammarians refer to as a "subcutaneous invective," which is a word used to describe skin disorders, as in "Bob has a weird phenomena on his neck shaped like Ted Koppel." Whereas "phenomenon" is used to describe a backup singer in the 1957 musical group "Duane Furlong and the Phenomenons."

14 posted on 02/24/2007 11:23:41 AM PST by rhema ("Break the conventions; keep the commandments." -- G. K. Chesterton)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies ]


To: rhema

"subcutaneous invective,"

Beautiful!!


216 posted on 02/25/2007 8:07:53 AM PST by Paine in the Neck
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson