Length of class/"double" classes

[bluesqueak]

No: HPFGUIDX 79671

<Snip>
 "Matt" wrote 

> I was thinking about this yesterday when I followed some link at 
the
> Lexicon to a class schedule.  You (and the Lexicon) have 
> interpreted "double" as double in length.  I thought that it 
> referred instead to doubling the *size* of the class 
> (q.v., "double Potions with the Slytherins," "double Herbology  
> with the Hufflepuffs").  If there is anything in canon that 
> conclusively resolves the difference, I missed it.

You've just quoted it ;-)

In British school terminology 'double potions' *always* 
means 'double-length potions'. 

In Hogwarts, they seem to have just enough teachers to cover each 
House being taught separately. So a double period must have two 
Houses for a teacher to manage it without a Time-Turner.

So the Hogwarts students, instead of just saying 'double History' as 
a UK student normally would, have to say 'double potions *with*'

But that's why the Lexicon has interpreted 'double' as 'double in 
length'. It's standard British usage. It's the unusual practice of 
having two different Houses in the same class that needs the 
explanatory comment of 'with the Slytherins'. 

'Double potions' needs no further explanation to a British child.  
Everyone in the UK who's attended a UK school knows what it means. 
If you do end up with a double sized class due to teacher shortages, 
it would be *size* that you would mention specially.

So - 'double History'. Double length History. 

'Double History with 3a'. Double length History *with* an extra 
class of students (3a).

Pip!Squeak