BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'

Subject: RE: BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'
From: Little Robyn
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 06:29 AM

Maths is the plural form Terry!

Subject: RE: BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'
From: gnu
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 06:57 AM

I need some med.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'
From: GUEST,Albert E
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 07:52 AM

Mathematics

Subject: RE: BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 09:17 AM

Yes, "maths" is more logical, it being short for "mathematics", but that still leaves the question of why the "s" is there in the first place.

There are roughly a hundred singular nouns ending in "ics" in the English language. "Mathematics", "physics" and "economics" are a few of them. In most cases the same word without the "s" is not a noun at all, but strictly an adjective. One can study economics, but there's no such thing as an "economic". Calculus is a branch of mathematics, but I've never heard it referred to as a "mathematic".

Subject: RE: BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'
From: *Laura*
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 09:55 AM

It's mathematicS because it refers to a collection of mathematic workings or problems.
The different branches of mathematic problems, such as algebra... trigonometry... whatever.... are mathematics. So calculus is a mathematic problem.

At least - thats the only half-logical explaination I can think of!

xLx

Subject: RE: BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'
From: Paul Burke
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 10:17 AM

c.1380 as singular, replaced by early 17c. by mathematics (1581), from L. mathematica (pl.), from Gk. mathematike tekhne "mathematical science," fem. sing. of mathematikos (adj.) "relating to mathematics, scientific," from mathema (gen. mathematos) "science, knowledge, mathematical knowledge," related to manthanein "to learn," from PIE base *mn-/*men-/*mon- "to think, have one's mind aroused" (cf. Gk. menthere "to care," Lith. mandras "wide-awake," O.C.S. madru "wise, sage," Goth. mundonsis "to look at," Ger. munter "awake, lively"). Mathematics (pl.) originally denoted the mathematical sciences collectively, including geometry, astronomy, optics. Math is the Amer.Eng. shortening, attested from 1890; the British preference, maths is attested from 1911.

I bet you didn't know it came from a PIE base, but pie are square.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'
From: JennyO
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 11:58 AM

Mmm - PIE!

Subject: RE: BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 02:12 PM

Aluminium and aluminium require historical review to find the 'why'.
"In 1807, Davy proposed the name 'aluminum' for the metal, undiscovered at the time, [and used it with its discovery in 1812]and later agreed to change it to 'aluminium'. Shortly thereafter, the name aluminium was adopted to conform with the 'ium' ending of most elements.... Aluminium was also the accepted spelling in the U. S. until 1925 at which time the American Chemical Society officially decided to use the name 'aluminum' thereafter in their publications." Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, article by C. R. Hammond.
Aluminum appears now on periodic tables of the elements and in most non-UK scientific writings. Aluminium remains the preferred spelling in the OED and in English (but not American) speech.

When I was being taught the intricacies of English, 'an hotel' was proper, but now 'a hotel' is commonly heard on both sides of the pond. (English, she is changeable, like a woman.)

Twenty years ago 'covert' was pronounced cov'ert, kv'ert (also OED and Webster's dictionary citations), but now it has become co'vert. This destroys the connection with the root of the word, but dictionaries must reflect general usage, and Webster's Collegiate now has put co'vert in 1st place.

Someone mentioned the use of collective plurals.
In the UK, 'the army are' seems to be used; in the United States, it is 'the army is', and the same is true of some other collective plural usages.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'
From: Jim McLean
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 03:05 PM

I remember listening to an argument between Dominic Behan and Enoch Kent, both rather the worse of a few drams. The argument seemed to centre around when the last person on Perthshire was executed. Dominic stated vehemently it was last week and Enoch insisted it was in the 18th century. To cut a long story short, Enoch thought they were talking about Perthshire (Scotland) and Dominic thought it was Persia!

Subject: RE: BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'
From: Peace
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 03:09 PM

Math to me means arithmetic. Maths refers to assorted types: algebra, trig, calculus. Of course, that just the words. I have no idea what the numbers mean. Failed it all through school.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'
From: GUEST,Janine
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 03:51 AM

Oddly, Calculus is often referred to (especially by the pendants) as The Calculus. Any explanations?
Janine

Subject: RE: BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'
From: R. Padgett
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 08:13 AM

Flippin 'eck!

I had not realised Aluminium was spelt Aluminum in US and thus explains the weird emphasis of the LU

In pronounciation I always believed that you started at the back and pronounced in full 'bits' syllables to the front ~ so the US pronunciation has always been odd in the UK

As regards 'Drawering' for drawing this is a Southern Uk thing

I studied accounting in the South and it annoyed me intensely when the Drawings became drawerings

I live in Yorkshire Northern England and we have much shorter 'a' and 'o' sounds and virtually non existant 'h' sounds

This is well known in the UK

so that 'tintintint'equals 'It is not in the tin' ~ probably worse than Spanish when spoken quickly!

There are many regional accents and speech pronunciations and great arguments will ensue if anyone particularly from the South dares to say that they speak the 'Queens English'

Be warned!

Subject: RE: BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'
From: Terry K
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 08:22 AM

quote "I live in Yorkshire Northern England and we have much shorter 'a' and 'o' sounds and virtually non existant 'h' sounds" unquote

also the much deeper U, which has a great effect in certain words of four letters - so much more telling than the effete southern versions of the same words.....

Subject: RE: BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'
From: Mr Red
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 08:29 AM

depends whether you do Some or Sums?

Trigonometry or Trigonometries (harder)?
Algebra or Algebrus?
Calculus or calculii
Algoritm or Al Gore rhythmic
Spreadsheet or **!!!?(&%!! (pronounced Micro$oft)

and while we are at it - what is the plural of data? (or opera or modem for that matter)

Subject: RE: BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'
From: The Walrus
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 11:45 AM

Two brief comments (of no realimport):

Q,
"...Someone mentioned the use of collective plurals.
In the UK, 'the army are' seems to be used; in the United States, it is 'the army is', and the same is true of some other collective plural usages.
When did the Americans shift over from "The United States are..." to "The United States is..."?

Mr Red,
"...and while we are at it - what is the plural of data?..."
Data IS the plural, the singular is datum.

Merry Christmas all.

Walrus.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'
From: Peace
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 11:48 AM

"what is the plural of data?"

Data is the plural of datum.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'
From: *Laura*
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 12:04 PM

I live in the Southwest UK and never thought drawRing sounded strange....

Subject: RE: BS: 'Math' or 'Maths'
From: Snuffy
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 07:49 PM

On collective plurals Britsh English seems to be developing much quicker along the lines of making verbs, adjectives etc agree with the underlying logical subject, rather than the grammatical subject.

Thus "Brazil are World Champions" because "Brazil" does not mean the actual country, but "the players who comprise the Brazilian team". Likewise "The Army" is made up of many people and so is plural (except in this sentence!).