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Cunning linguists

Words that are pluralised in the middle poser

17 replies

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?

OP posts:
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.

JodieGarberJacob · 24/02/2014 22:36

Words like mothers-in-law maybe?

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...

sunbathe · 25/02/2014 02:04

Culs-de-sac.

Runners-up.

alexpolistigers · 25/02/2014 06:51

courts-martial

menservants

attorneys-general

AuntieStella · 25/02/2014 07:03

The (now archaic, even obsolete) listener-in follows this pattern. Does it count as it's hyphenated?

alexpolistigers · 25/02/2014 07:06

yes! Listeners-in.

SpiderStacy · 25/02/2014 07:11

Spoonsful

Lemonsole · 25/02/2014 16:32

Fathers in law
Mothers in law (god forbid)
Estates general
Courts of Law

indieakka · 25/02/2014 20:07

Grands-prix (I think!)

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.

SconeRhymesWithGone · 28/02/2014 14:18

aides de camp

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.

BlueSprite · 03/03/2014 12:40

Yes, what Nom said. For example, "lookers-on".

BlueSprite · 03/03/2014 12:42

Although people mostly say onlookers, now!

DuPainDuVinDuFromage · 11/03/2014 15:12

trades union

PigletJohn · 11/03/2014 15:26

pains au chocolat

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