Whooohooo 'ten items or less' [itchy teeth] is

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

being phased out by tesco to be replaced by 'up to ten items'.

[Jbck]

I saw this earlier and thought of 'The Pedants'

[onebatmother]

Me too! Hurrah!

(I too? )

[forevercleaning]

sorry but can someone explain what is wrong with saying 10 items or less? Been thinking about this since the old lady arguing in tesco thread, and I just cannot seem to see what is wrong with it!

[wheresthehamster]

But shouldn't it be 'up to eleven items'? Or am I over-thinking it?

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

Should be ten items or fewer, FC.

Don't overthink, Hamster.



Jbck

[forevercleaning]

oh i see, so 'ten items or less is not correct English?

I still dont see it, even with my grammar school education! I must think about it some more..

[onebatmother]

If something can be counted, it must be 'fewer' forever.

If it can't, then 'less'.

May I have less cake?
May I have fewer peas?

(say it in 1950's radio voice for extra kicks)

[onebatmother]

actually, to avoid any confusion, that should have been 'May I have less custard, Mother? But fewer prunes, please' (I'm working this 50s thing..)

[forevercleaning]

should we not say "Please may I have less..."

Thanks for that though, I have found it quite interesting.

[onebatmother]

the 'may' contains a 'please', imo

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

[Millarkie]

So 'up to ten items' means 'up to and including ten items' or 'nine items or fewer'?

I would prefer 'ITEMS

[forevercleaning]

oh, I see! I think I shall have to scuttle off and study my old English Language books a little bit more before I show my face again in Pedants.

Thanks for clarifying the 10 items or less/fewer question though, and you are all very friendly and helpful too!

[onebatmother]

Millarkie

you are very welcome here, forevercleaning.

[forevercleaning]

Yes Starlight, i even sat upright at the computer, you know, nice straight back and polite thoughts going through my mind!!

Such a terribly nice bunch of people.

Now i shall return to the chat/unreasonable threads where I can freely talk a load of old bollocks

[jojosmaman]

God I heart mumsnet, you literally learn something new every single day! I have a degree in English (albeit Lit.) but didn't know about the fewer/ less thing, thanks guys!

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

You are welcome.

[Igotwheels]

Finally the itchy feeling when I occasionally enter the store is diminishing!

[forevercleaning]

[forevercleaning]

But would a Pedant really shop in Tesco, I would have though Waitrose may be more their ticket?!

I would not have the problem in Waitrose, I would would not be able to afford the 10 items, so could proceed with a clear conscience through their til!

[Jbck]

I prefer asda's 'Around 15 items' thinking myself, although I was once reprimanded for having 32 items in my basket. 14 were tiny Haribo bags and I'd counted a 3 for £5 cold meat purchase as 1 item in my head.

Good job the SA wasn't a pedant she'd have had me banned

[BarcodeZebra]

forerever: pedantry has nothing to do with class or income and everything to do with how tightly one clenches one's anal sphincter. One can shop in Lidl and still have a butt-hole like a tiny button.

I am the living proof.