BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world

Subject: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 05:23 AM

When will you lime sucking, tea sipping, pinky pointers realize that the English language was your gift to the world, not revenge for losing the Empire?

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 05:33 AM

Maths, short for mathematics, get it ? not mathematic.

Just remember, you only think you own the world.

Of course we admit it's our fault, we made such a shite job of teaching you how to speak properly.

It's not called ' The English Language ' for nothing.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: GUEST,Musket sans cookie
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 06:15 AM

Well, I suppose your last President invented more new words than Shakespeare ever did...

My own favourite, (remembering it has a u in it) is when an American cleaning product hit our shelves years ago called EZ Klean. Supermarkets spelt it Clean on their shelf listings and the local radio adverts referred to "E Zed clean."

In the meantime, as a volunteer on community radio at the time, my illustrious co presenters could be put in a category of whether they watched imported TV programmes or not.   Zed Zed Top got a fair amount of air play.

I genuinely used to assume American education allowed a shortening and abbreviated spellings rather than actual American English. Labor etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 06:26 AM

I grew up in Canada watching US TV. I could be correcting all y'all all the time!

"Maths, short for mathematics, get it ? not mathematic."

Oh I see what you are getting at.

Like "Scie", short for "science" not "scienc."

Thank you for clearing that up.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 07:41 AM

Maths it will always be, if it's all the same to you.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 07:48 AM

The great point is, Bonzo, that it isn't all the same to them. & I can't see why it should be. Just that I would appreciate a reciprocal courtesy back from them.

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 07:56 AM

MtheGM, reciprocal courtesy? That would imply that I was receiving such courtesy would it not? Instead of a bunch of turned up pommy noses shoveling up their arrogant xenophobic contempt on another thread.

(please keep in mind that when silly things are involved, I am inclined to speak tongue in cheek.)

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 08:02 AM

Me too, Jack. But I disown my rude countrymen, & I hope I have never been found discourteous over such questions.

I feel bound to add that I think the title you chose for this thread is perhaps a little provocative.

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 08:08 AM

"title you chose for this thread is perhaps a little provocative"

I needed to ensure that I got Musket sans tolerance's attention. I took the chance that more enlightened Englishmen might see the joke. So far, so good.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 08:10 AM

PS do you really intend to disown the Englishmen on the other thread? I am afraid that would not be much of a punishment for serial mischief makers.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 08:13 AM

It is an established US practice to omit the "s" on the end of abbreviations and acronyms, that is found convenient and enhances the clarity of communication among us.

If "math" is used in this case, "He knows his math" distingushes clearly one who can add from "He knows his maths" which indicates one who can add, subtract, multiply and divide. (An elite group on some areas in the US, although reports from the UK about their economic policies suggest that it may also be a characteristic in some places there.)

(Insistence that the "s" must be included in maths is somewhat like insisting that an abbreviations must include all the letters of the abbreviated word? We generally assume that an abbreviation should include only what's necessary to identify the reference.)

In US usage, it must be recognized that "singular" abbreviation forms are most commonly used where the term may be applied to general cases, so it is more frequently seen when it doesn't much matter. (The thoery advanced by some that the extraneous "s" on word endings is due to the ubiquity of "Brits with bad teeth" who can't avoid pronouncing sibilants on word endings and that adding them to common problem words saves embarrasment is not held by many here.)

There are numerous other differences, such as the common use in technical circles of "kludge" as a description of British tools and devices. Kludge is a term understood only by Brits since they're the only ones who accept it as a useful method, and occurs in the US almost exclusively as a description of British aircraft design features (and only by those who've worked with UK "greenies" enough to have heard the term). A similarly spelled term, but with entirely different meaning and pronunciation, "cluge" (very rarely also "Kluge") has almost opposite meaning and is a respected technical method in the US when necessary to make something work right (esp. when repairing the frequent UK kludges found in their "engineering" drawings).

Tolerance is suggested, even when the **** are rude. (Both ways, should an occurance appear.)

John

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 08:53 AM

Everyone ought to know by now that all threads started by Jack the Sailor are designed to start arguements, just check back.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 09:05 AM

"Insistence that the "s" must be included in maths is somewhat like insisting that an abbreviations must include all the letters of the abbreviated word?"

LOL LOL!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 09:11 AM

"(The thoery advanced by some that the extraneous "s" on word endings is due to the ubiquity of "Brits with bad teeth" who can't avoid pronouncing sibilants on word endings and that adding them to common problem words saves embarrasment is not held by many here."

LOL LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 09:13 AM

>>From: Dave Hanson - PM
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 08:53 AM

Everyone ought to know by now that all threads started by Jack the Sailor are designed to start arguements, just check back.<<


YOU WERE SERIOUS in what you said about "maths"?!!?
LOL LOL!!

Keep in mind that no one is forcing you to argue. That is a choice you make yourself.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: GUEST,Johnny J.
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 11:46 AM

Like "Scie", short for "science" not "scienc."

I though it was "Sci", as in Ag. Sci. - Agricultural Science.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: GUEST,Musket sans sailor seaman
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 12:18 PM

Aw. You started this thread in homage to little young me? Gee shucks as a person of American persuasion would say.

And there was me adding a semi serious contribution earlier on. If I had known I would have stuck to pointing and laughing. You know it makes sense. ..

By the way, still looking up Google searches on this sane world you refer to. Have you been there on holiday perchance?

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: GUEST,JJ
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 12:20 PM

Some people just like to pick fights for completely unimportant reasons.

It's rather sad.

JJ

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jeri
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 12:28 PM

It's "maths" in the UK and "math" in the US. Get the fuck over it.

If you think this is significant enough to start a thread about, I'm guessing the grass isn't growing fast enough to provide adequate entertainment for ya.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 01:27 PM

Thank you for blessing us with your ever so insightful opinion.

Kind levelheaded measured comments. The hallmark of Mudcat leaders.

>>>From: GUEST,Johnny J. - PM
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 11:46 AM

Like "Scie", short for "science" not "scienc."

I though it was "Sci", as in Ag. Sci. - Agricultural Science. <<<

I am aware of that Johnny. I am sorry that I did not better explain my joke

"Aw. You started this thread in homage to little young me? Gee shucks as a person of American persuasion would say. "

No one has ever said you were quick on the uptake Musket sans self awareness. Just as no American says "Gee shucks" Americans USED to say "Gee Whiz" and "Aw Shucks" decades ago, but "Gee shucks" was never a common phrase. If you think about the curse words the are substitutes for you may even be able to figure out why. They may use the J-bomb or say aw S-bomb. But the don't take the first syllable from the J-bomb and meld it with the s-bomb.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 03:14 PM

Originally there were two maths: a foremath and an aftermath. Then US scientists found out that the aftermath of a catastrophe is actually identical to the foremath of the next one, so they concluded that one math suffices.

The sane world, of course ... eh, where is that?

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Bert
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 03:35 PM

We used to say 'Sums'

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jeri
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 03:38 PM

I think the pronunciation differences are because of the prevalence of parseltongue speakers in Great Britain. It all gets impressively hissy with the mess of stressing unnecessary esses.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: gnu
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 04:19 PM

" "He knows his maths" which indicates one who can add, subtract, multiply and divide." "

Hmmmm... would that not be "He knows his ariths."? In Yank, "He know arith.", which could also communicate a knowledge/talent of/for music depending on usage and context.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: gnu
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 05:11 PM

I can't give any hints or the frog is dead.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 21 Apr 13 - 06:37 PM

Funny stuff gnu.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: GUEST,CrazyEddie
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 03:18 AM

"Keep in mind that no one is forcing you to argue. That is a choice you make yourself."

No, I totally disagree! That's nonsense!

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: gnu
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 06:40 AM

Crazy, Eddie!

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 08:56 AM

So Brits say "Maths" and Yanks say "Math". Whoopie-doo, I'm underwhelmed.

Quite frankly, old chap, who gives a tinker's cuss? I don't. We each understand that we both mean "Mathematics", so what is there to get one's under-garments lodged between one's buttocks over?

Much Ado About Nothing.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 09:05 AM

Much Ado About Nothing wasn't that part of Shakespeare's classification of the size of the male organ?

6 inches: Much Ado About Nothing
9 inches: As You Like It
12 inches: A Midsummer Night's dream

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 09:19 AM

King Leer?

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 10:20 AM

"Much Ado About Nothing wasn't that part of Shakespeare's classification of the size of the male organ?"

Dunno about that Nigel. But I do know that anyone who heads up a thread with a deliberate intention of provoking ferocious aggression is a Berk, and I know that the euphemism 'Berk' is an abbreviation of 'Berkshire Hunt', which itself is rhyming-slang.

And it takes neither 'math' nor 'maths' to work out what it rhymes with.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 10:27 AM

I would say that anyone who gets ferociously aggressive about such trivia is the one with the dental gobblem.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 10:33 AM

Actually, BWM there is no Berkshire Hunt. You are presumably thinking of the Berkeley, but mispronounced. (Though must admit, checking wikipedia to ensure before posting that I was not not speaking out of turn, there is in fact an Old Berkshire Hunt. But the rhyming slang entry does support me in giving the Berkeley as the hunt in question in the origin of the phrase.)

~M~

How on earth did we drift her from Maths? Blowed if I can remember...

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 10:35 AM

drift HERE, that should have been...

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 11:06 AM

Mea Culpa, Means Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa, Michael. I'm sure it should have been the Berkeley Hunt. Buggerbuggerbugger! Serves me right for tring to be a clever shit! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 11:07 AM

And, of course, it's 'mea', not 'means'! Sod these effing iPad contraptions! :0)

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 11:09 AM

"I would say that anyone who gets ferociously aggressive about such trivia is the one with the dental gobblem."

You started it. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 11:09 AM

LOL!!

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Bert
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 11:26 AM

Berkeley it is. They wear yellow jackets, not hunting pink. So they look right berks.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 11:38 AM

And how British of us to describe bright red jackets as 'pink'. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 11:41 AM

The name of the tailor, as I understand it.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Acorn4
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 11:41 AM

"Lets call the whole thing off!"

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 03:27 PM

The logic in the 1st few posts 'seems' to be that mathematics is a plural, so that 'maths' also needs to be. If that is what is assumed, I take issue. There isn't really a singular 'mathematic'. Mathematics is a disclipine..." a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement"

Saying 'maths' is merely a habit.. and in print, uses more space and ink... like Aluminium. We Americans like to save whenever possible. and like to keep things simpler. But habits of long standing get defended as if they were *handed down from above* ;>)

(I do like that 'boot' is shorter than 'trunk'... except that if someone told me to "put it in my boot", I'd ask.."left or right?)

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 04:03 PM

Bill, do you also say "physic", or better, write "fisic"? Italians (and, following them, Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking people) write "fisica", also "matematica" and "filosofia", since Dante's times. There we may have found the slightly saner world! Compared to it, notably to Dante in person, the rest of us are all cowards, clinging to habits and conventions.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 05:31 PM

"We Americans like to save whenever possible. and like to keep things simpler."
..,,.,
I suppose that is why you call a lift an elevator; and a car an automobile; and a flat an apartment...

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 05:52 PM

It saves confusion.

A lift is for fixing mufflers and rotating tires on cars. We do say cars and you people say automobiles and all apartments here are not flat. We call them units and rental homes or just my place or my home.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 06:24 PM

No,there isn't a singular 'mathematic' - but there is an adjective, as an alternative to 'mathematical'.

In any case it's not really correct to term either math or maths as abbreviations, or it would properly need to have a full stop ('period') after it. They are new words based on abbreviating, and as such they can be spelt however the relevant linguistic community prefer.
..........
But is it acceptable for Yanks to use the term "pommy"? How do Australians feel about that?

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: gnu
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 06:34 PM

I suppose 'fill yer boots" or 'fill yer trunks' would... nah, it wouldn't. nevermind.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: framus
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 06:52 PM

Exactly, Manitas, it was the name of a tailor!   And, I'm Irish, and learned Maths at school. At least 3, Arith, geometry and algebra! Then Calculus, Trig and other bits!