ummmm

Pages: 123

Jun 23, 2016 at 10:18am

> I do believe "math" to be the more correct form

Both math and maths are correct;
While maths is a contraction (letters from the middle of the word are omitted) of mathematics math~~ematic~~s ,
math is a shortening (letters at the beginning/end are omitted) math~~ematics~~

Contraction: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/words/contractions
Shortening: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/words/shortenings

The 's' in maths is the very same 's' that is present in mathematics; it does not denote a plural form.
The shortening is commonly used in American English; the contraction is favoured in British and International English.

Jun 23, 2016 at 11:33am

closed account (37oyvCM9)

I'm pretty sure that someone, somewhere could do with you doing something funny with your tongue instead of insistantly trolling with an insignificant and trivail point! :p

Jun 23, 2016 at 1:36pm

helios (17607)

Both math and maths are correct

I'm saying that "math" is more correct.

it does not denote a plural form

Some people do mistakenly use it as a plural.

Last edited on Jun 23, 2016 at 1:36pm

Jun 23, 2016 at 2:50pm

RUNNER PRO AGARIO (275)

Who reported Helios and why, I don't get it

Jun 23, 2016 at 3:10pm

helios (17607)

Darn. I wish report reasons were public, so we could what dumbass excuse they used.

Jun 23, 2016 at 3:16pm

JLBorges (13770)

> I'm saying that "math" is more correct.

I maintain that both maths and math are equally - unequivocally equally - correct.
Just as Dr (contraction, usually formal) and Doc (shortening, usually informal) are both correct.

> Some people do mistakenly use it as a plural.

Yes, there are people who do not understand that maths is a contraction of mathematics, which is an uncountable noun (aka mass noun) that happens to end in an 's'. Some of them argue that math is more correct than maths, while the others tend to use maths as a plural noun.

Jun 23, 2016 at 3:51pm

helios (17607)

You can skip the condescension, thank you very much.

Jun 23, 2016 at 4:14pm

closed account (37oyvCM9)

I didnt report...its funny though

Jun 23, 2016 at 8:53pm

Ganado (6830)

Huh I never really though of it as contraction vs shortening. I used to be against maths but now I see that both have some logic to them. I would still personally prefer math though, as an American. The argument of maths being mistaken for plural doesn't really apply because the same thing applies to the original form. I do agree maths feels weird in my mouth ;)

Jun 23, 2016 at 9:26pm

helios (17607)

The argument of maths being mistaken for plural doesn't really apply because the same thing applies to the original form.

IMO, "mathematics" is wrong for the same reason. Imagine if you could talk about "mathematica", physica", or "mechanica".

Actually, that's a good argument. Brits refer to a single bicycle derailleur as a "mech", not as a "mechs".
http://gearmechhanger.com/

Last edited on Jun 23, 2016 at 9:36pm

Jun 23, 2016 at 11:08pm

TwilightSpectre (1392)

Just because a word is derived from Latin doesn't mean it follows the same rules. And anyway... mathematics is not directly derived from Latin. The chain is manthanein -> mathēmatikē (Greek) -> mathematika (Latin) -> mathematique (Old French) which becomes the old english 'mathematic', an obsolete singular form of 'mathematics' as used today.

And I'm sure you've realised this, but it's mechanic -> mech, which is fine.

Last edited on Jun 23, 2016 at 11:10pm

Jun 24, 2016 at 12:44am

helios (17607)

Ooh! Sittin' on the settee with our scones and our mathematique.

It couldn't be "mechanic" because "mechanic" is either an adjective or a person, while "mech" is a noun for an object. I struck it because it could ambiguously come from either "mechanics" or "mechanism" (most likely the latter).

Jun 26, 2016 at 4:22am

JagerDesu (61)

TwilightSpectre wrote:
The chain is manthanein -> mathēmatikē (Greek) -> mathematika (Latin) -> mathematique (Old French) which becomes the old english 'mathematic', an obsolete singular form of 'mathematics' as used today.

Nitpicking a bit:
I'm quite certain that you actually meant to say "which becomes the middle english 'mathematic.'" Old English as widely accepted by linguists had more or less no contact from the d'Oil languages of Northern France.

helios wrote:
Ooh! Sittin' on the settee with our scones and our mathematique.

I don't get what you're trying to prove here.

Jun 26, 2016 at 8:18am

helios (17607)

Just having some fun?

https://youtu.be/2xyJoQWl_PE?t=2m16s

Jun 26, 2016 at 10:21am

TwilightSpectre (1392)

@JagerDesu:
Ah, that's not quite I meant... though, in hindsight, I see how I was misconstrued. I meant "old" "english", not "Old English". Thanks for pointing that out, though. Always love a bit of nitpicking :)

Last edited on Jun 26, 2016 at 10:21am

Jun 26, 2016 at 11:19pm

RUNNER PRO AGARIO (275)

WHY IS EVERYONE GETTING REPORTED!!!!!!!?!?!?!?

_{btw this will get reported, i know it lol}

Jun 27, 2016 at 5:53am

NoXzema (699)

I must... fulfill the prophecy.

Jun 28, 2016 at 6:35am

Yawzheek (120)

Why all of sudden did admin ban me??!

I can't imagine why. You seem like such a lovely and rational individual, which is why I found this goodness in my PM box...

From: VRGaming2 Jun 28, 2016 at 2:12am
Hey, stupid Yawzheek
I hate you, poof