On Apr 17, 2011, at 12:32 , John Francis wrote: > On Sun, Apr 17, 2011 at 02:19:30PM -0400, Igor Roshchin wrote: >> >> >> "A pair of binoculars" - is this two binoculars or just one _binocular_? >> ;-) >> >> But one optical device in question is called a binocular, not binoculars! > > Not in English. > > It may not be accurate, or rational. But it is "correct" (sic) usage. > > You can also use "binocle", or just the singular "binocular". But by far the > most common form is the phrase "a pair of binoculars". Or so says the OED.
Avoid referring to them that way. Instead use "my binoculars" - "your binoculars" - "these binoculars" so peoples brains don't get twisted around their eyes - oh, wait! They already are! (yes, I see the double plurality in those words...."peoples brains") Joseph McAllister pentax...@mac.com http://gallery.me.com/jomac -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
