Cunning linguists
Words that are pluralised in the middle poser
AllYourBassClefsBelongToUs · 24/02/2014 22:31
I saw the word 'passersby' today which struck me as unusual. I can't think of another word like this - are there any?
Velma67 · 24/02/2014 22:35
There are a few phrases, usually of foreign, maybe french, origin. Coups d'etat and courts martial are the two I can think of off the top of my head.
Hangers-on would also seem to fit the bill but I'm pretty sure it isn't a "proper" word.
lougle · 24/02/2014 22:48
this list has about 860 compound words and none of them are pluralised in the middle. I can't fine another one...
AuntieStella · 25/02/2014 07:03
The (now archaic, even obsolete) listener-in follows this pattern. Does it count as it's hyphenated?
Lemonsole · 25/02/2014 16:32
Fathers in law
Mothers in law (god forbid)
Estates general
Courts of Law
SconeRhymesWithGone · 28/02/2014 14:09
We have several "titles general" in the US, so besides attorneys general, we have surgeons general and solicitors general.
NomDeClavier · 03/03/2014 12:26
Anything which contains with a preposition has to be pluralized in the middle. It's the head noun which is pluralized.
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