Re: USAGE: Language revival

Don Blaheta wrote:

> Not just "elves", but knives, wolves, and scarves, as well.  In fact, I
> completely fail to understand why "dwarfs" would be correct [...]
I'll see your "elves", "knives", "wolves", and "scarves", and I'll even
spot you "calves", "hooves", "leaves", "lives", "loaves", "scarves",
"selves", and their compounds.

And then I'll raise you "bailiffs", "beliefs", "bluffs", "briefs",
"buffs", "chefs", "chiefs", "cliffs", "cuffs", "goofs", "griefs",
"gulfs", "kerchiefs", "motifs", "muffs", "plaintiffs", "proofs",
"puffs", "reefs", "roofs", "serfs", "sheriffs", "sniffs", "stiffs",
"stuffs", "tariffs", several words in "-offs" (such as "layoffs",
"playoffs", and "tradeoffs"), and all *their* compounds.

"Beefs" and "beeves" are both in use, as are "staffs" and "staves".
In both cases the regular plural in "-fs" is the more common form.

--

John Cowan      http://www.reutershealth.com            jcowan@reutershealth.com
Schlingt dreifach einen Kreis vom dies! / Schliess eurer Aug vor heiliger Schau
Den er genoss vom Honig-Tau / Und trank die Milch vom Paradies.
                -- Coleridge (tr. Politzer)