English is not my native language and I wonder why people say "she's got brains" and not "brain" singular!!! It's a whole entity I believe! One brain in one head. Is it ironic to say it plural or it's just the way you're suppose to say it?
2006-09-21 09:13:28 · 9 answers · asked by fifine 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I'm not being technical, I'm bothered by that expression. Every time I hear it I feel like the person who says it is fake or ironic.
Like he doesn't mean it.
2006-09-21 09:19:41 · update #1
The expression never made sense to me. I don't think it is grammatically correct.
My best comparison would be to the difference between less and fewer. "brains" would refer more to the amount or size of one brain than a quantity of individual brains.
10 items or less is not grammatically correct. 10 dollars or less is.
2006-09-21 09:21:08 · answer #1 · answered by Automation Wizard 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Okay, first, I think you need to look up the definition of the word "irony".
"Brains" is simply a slang term for intelligence. It's not intended to imply that someone has more than one of these body parts, nor is it intended to imply that someone is stupid (which would be the irony part).
Are there really no phrases in your native language that don't technically make sense? If that is the case, I would seriously wonder what is your native language, 'cause I'm pretty sure they all have this.
2006-09-21 16:26:54 · answer #2 · answered by abfabmom1 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I hate the term too. Actually, it just sounds stupid to me. Nobody has "brains."
Crud! It drives me nuts! If I had any "brains" before hearing somebody say it, I probably only have one brain now.
It's just some horrible thing that stupid people invented to use as a biological attack against intelligent english speaking people.
If you think it sounds ironic, then it probably is. Not because the term is inherently ironic, but because it'd be the kind of thing that somebody could easily say with a tone of irony.
2006-09-21 16:23:19 · answer #3 · answered by dinochirus 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe its plural, because the smarter you are, the more brain sells you have ( That's where the saying, 'were you dropped on your head as a child?' came from, for 'stupid people'), so they have it plural because its referring to your 'brains' or brain cells.
2006-09-21 16:17:14 · answer #4 · answered by PeachyFixation 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not ironic, just slang. When someone has brains it means they are smart.
2006-09-21 16:15:07 · answer #5 · answered by ekinevel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand what your saying. Take it like marbles and rocks.
2006-09-21 16:23:24 · answer #6 · answered by Letmebeme 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is trying to be ironic. Meaning that she is so clever that she has two brains. I think it is a term used not literally! i dunno though good q
2006-09-21 16:21:19 · answer #7 · answered by lucy_goose 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
its an exaggeration that helps to emphasize a ststement.
2006-09-21 16:15:31 · answer #8 · answered by Holly G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't be so technical , it's just slang we americans use.
2006-09-21 16:17:34 · answer #9 · answered by inquiring mind 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋