English grammar and such: On the Nature of Bookshelfs

Steve bboyminn at yahoo.com
Tue Jul 1 21:53:27 UTC 2008


Ok, if I'm talking about shelves the way is clear

Singular = Shelf
Plural = Shelves.

Even if I talking about those big racks along the wall where we
store our books, the way is clear

Singular = bookshelf
Plural = bookshelves

But now is where it gets complicated. I was discussing the
nature of and preference for Bookshelf Speakers vs Floor
Standing Speakers.

But in casual conversation, 'Floor Standing' becomes 
Floorstander or Floorstanders, even though the word should 
more correctly be separate.

But the even more complicated matter is Bookshelf Speakers.

The singular is obviously 'bookshelf' but what is the plural?

It is not really 'bookshelf' that is plural, it is 'speakers'.

We are not talking about two bookshelves, we are talking about
two bookshelf speakers, which are referred to in short as
"Bookshelfs".

Which of course bring up the very problem at hand, in this 
context, is 'Bookshelfs' correct when referring to more than
one Bookshelf Speaker? 

Inquiring minds want to know.

Keep in mind that bookshelf vs bookshelves is easy, but bookshelf
speaker vs bookshelf speakers, when referred to in shorthand is
where the complication comes in.

steve/bboyminn





More information about the HPFGU-OTChatter archive