Comments on: Not Just a Rhetorical Question (or Three) http://www.plannedobsolescence.net/not-just-a-rhetorical-question-or-three/ falling indelibly into the past Fri, 16 May 2008 19:55:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Rory http://www.plannedobsolescence.net/not-just-a-rhetorical-question-or-three/#comment-551 Rory Fri, 20 Jan 2006 23:08:28 +0000 http://www.new.plannedobsolescence.net/?p=274#comment-551 <p>It’s spelled “roofs”, but in some countries it can be pronounced “rooves”. Australia is one such: I just checked our national dictionary to see if it reflected that, and it does: /rufs, ruvz/. </p> It’s spelled “roofs”, but in some countries it can be pronounced “rooves”. Australia is one such: I just checked our national dictionary to see if it reflected that, and it does: /rufs, ruvz/.

]]> By: KF http://www.plannedobsolescence.net/not-just-a-rhetorical-question-or-three/#comment-550 KF Thu, 19 Jan 2006 23:34:50 +0000 http://www.new.plannedobsolescence.net/?p=274#comment-550 <p>Actually, that’s kinda what I thought; I’d just stared at “roofs” until it looked like it couldn’t possibly be right.  I suppose the confusion came because I’ve always <i>pronounced</i> the plural “rooves.” Which I guess mostly tells you where I come down on the “rufe” vs. “ruff” debate. </p> Actually, that’s kinda what I thought; I’d just stared at “roofs” until it looked like it couldn’t possibly be right.  I suppose the confusion came because I’ve always pronounced the plural “rooves.” Which I guess mostly tells you where I come down on the “rufe” vs. “ruff” debate.

]]> By: Matt Bucher http://www.plannedobsolescence.net/not-just-a-rhetorical-question-or-three/#comment-549 Matt Bucher Thu, 19 Jan 2006 22:19:17 +0000 http://www.new.plannedobsolescence.net/?p=274#comment-549 <p>Bryan Garner says “Pl. <i>roofs</i> not <i>rooves</i>. But the mistaken plural occurs with some frequency. </p> <p> All American dictionaries I have make no mention of a Britishism “rooves.” OED has this brief mention: </p> <p> 1903 Dialect Notes II. 352 Roof, n. pl. rooves. Common plural in Mass. 1938 C. HIMES Black on Black (1973) 165 W’en de panic cum an’ de Lawd tek yo’ food an’ yo’ clothes an’ de rooves off’n yo’ haids, den laff. 1939 [see council (housing) estate s.v. COUNCIL 17]. </p> <p> I’d stick with roofs. </p> Bryan Garner says “Pl. roofs not rooves. But the mistaken plural occurs with some frequency.

All American dictionaries I have make no mention of a Britishism “rooves.” OED has this brief mention:

1903 Dialect Notes II. 352 Roof, n. pl. rooves. Common plural in Mass. 1938 C. HIMES Black on Black (1973) 165 W’en de panic cum an’ de Lawd tek yo’ food an’ yo’ clothes an’ de rooves off’n yo’ haids, den laff. 1939 [see council (housing) estate s.v. COUNCIL 17].

I’d stick with roofs.

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