Why do we say Upside-Down instead of Downside-Up, Back-to-Front instead of Front-to-Back and Inside-Out instead of Outside-In?
2006-11-01 11:04:15 · 11 answers · asked by Rich 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Weird, I think I've said all of these at some point in time. But who is "we"?
2006-11-01 11:18:19 · answer #1 · answered by rdnck_grl_ms_007 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, because we start with the normal position of things: the upside should always be up, and screwing up that normal position results in putting the upside down. The inside of things belongs on the inside, and altering that results in the inside being out. Things have a front, and when that is reversed, the back comes to the front, so it's back to front.
2006-11-01 11:16:43 · answer #2 · answered by sonyack 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because it sounds better.if downside up sounded a bit better,we would all be saying that wouldnt we! its like nobody says " a strawberry a day,keeps the doctor away" that s because it sounds daft. and if someone said to you,,oh your newspaper your reading is downside up,you would wonder what the fook they were on about..thats how things are said its the law(not really)
2006-11-01 15:05:37 · answer #3 · answered by bongo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing to stop us saying these things the other way around. But it would sound unnatural because we are used to hearing them the other way.
I have heard Front to Back quite often. And outside in is one that I use myself.
2006-11-01 11:09:10 · answer #4 · answered by twixlicker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For ease we say put the right side up, fill in this form is now Americanised to Fill out this form. It's a funny old world.
2006-11-05 07:20:28 · answer #5 · answered by ?Master 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if something were downside up then the bottom of it would be at the bottom and therefore it would be the correct way up.... and if the outside is in then thats how its meant to be with jumpers etc...
2006-11-01 11:16:12 · answer #6 · answered by dmit_3228 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Same difference.
2006-11-01 11:19:23 · answer #7 · answered by Nicole 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its the way we got taught at school
2006-11-01 22:52:59 · answer #8 · answered by Bobo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We say whatever rolls off the tongue easier.
2006-11-01 11:15:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say front to back.....???
2006-11-01 11:11:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋