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

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 06:52 AM

"So what do you call those things that Tom Cruise wears in his shoes?"

Unless you want to be sued by Scientology, you say absolutely nothing about them.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 06:30 AM

It saves confusion.

A lift is for fixing mufflers and rotating tires on cars.
So what do you call those things that Tom Cruise wears in his shoes?
And does he wear them in his trunks (boots)?

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Musket
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 05:35 AM

Interesting Gibb Sahib.. So I take it American English is constructed with diversity in mind. Even people with a lisp can join in. God Bless America!

Oy, salty bugger. There is nothing unnecessary about the word "of." Speaking correctly makes them guess as to whether you are ignorant or not. lazy speaking gives them a head start..

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 05:30 AM

Nope, can't say "myths" either. Nor can I say my address, "8th street." When I tell it to people, for clarity's sake, I say it "8 street."

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 05:20 AM

Well bless your unnecessary "of!"

Yes you are of course correct because when trying to plan for a movie release the main focus should be on the day of the month rather than the month it opens because if you you don't go see it on the 13 of May you have to wait for the 13 of June. But no worries, if it doesn't fall on a weekend you can always wait until the 13 of December.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Musket
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 05:11 AM

I wouldn't worry. For many years, choosing UK English in Microsoft Office reverted back to US English at every update.

I was reading an article a few months ago where the journalist's young daughter had said, "Why do they call it 9/11 when it happened in September?" My sympathy for that is based on the deep voice trailers for films coming soon to the cinema. "Coming out May 13." I enjoy getting older so it is with relish that I shout at the telly, "13th of May you illiterate twat!"

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: gnu
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 05:04 AM

What pisses me off is that Dragon Naturaly Speaking asks me to select my "language" and when I click Canada a note appears that says United States will be used and I will be forced to spell 'colour' as 'color' (along with a couple of other examples). If this is an example of Brit humour, we in Her Majesty's colony of The Great Frozen White North are not amused.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Musket
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 04:51 AM

President Obama, talking in London a few years ago, said that he was brought up with British spellings, citing colour, labour and aluminium as examples.

If its good enough for him, its good enough for those who don't believe his birth certificate but are willing to believe the bloke with the white beard gave us AIDS as punishment.

(Yes, it is on topic. Nobody has mentioned Sailor Boy's silly word "sane" in the title for a while.)

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 04:39 AM

As in Myths Marple M~ ?

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 23 Apr 13 - 12:19 AM

Can't you pronounce 'myths' then, Gibb?

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Gibb Sahib
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 07:37 PM

I don't get how one would pronounce "maths." It's just too damn hard to follow 'th' with 's'.

They say "maths" in India, too, but since "th" is pronounced differently there, the combination is pronounce-able.

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 07:25 PM

"Drug" and "drugs" seem to overlap one another in American usage. We have a "War of drugs" being conducted by the "Drug Enforcement Agency". Addicted people are said to have a "drug problem" even if their problem may be with more than one type of drug.

So why do "Drug free America" and "Drugs free America" mean totally different things?

Subject: RE: BS: Maths in the UK, Math in the sane world
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 06:54 PM

MtheGM..ok... *grin*... point made. But Jack's followup is a point also. We say cars more often than automobile. There are so many varied forms of domicile, that 'flat' doesn't tell us much.

And what I say is "physics" like I say Mathematics. Physics has no common abbreviation, whereas math is an easy, short form. (I have no particular objection to 'maths', if that's what you in the UK are used to... I just see no reason to claim it as necessary as a plural form.)

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!

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Jack the Sailor
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 11:09 AM

LOL!!

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: 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 - 11:06 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 09:19 AM

King Leer?

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: 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: gnu
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 06:40 AM

Crazy, Eddie!

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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,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: 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: 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