Hi, i've been having a wee argument with my wife. Mind you, my online grammar tends towards the IM speak, so forgive me if I don't use exact grammer here.
My questions is this, that I am trying to determine the correct usage of a single Rolaids when my wife asks me to get her one. She will ask for a "Rolaid" arguing that it is silly to ask for something in the plural when she only wants one. This is irking my grammatical ear, and it seems to me, that since it is a brand name which contains the "S", that it shouldn't mater whether it's singular or plural. Can anyone provide some sources which might show me the correct usage of this? If I'm in the wrong, i'll stop bugging her, but if I'm in the right...at least I'll know what it should be if she were to choose to start saying it right.
Thank you from confused husband
2007-03-04 13:13:03 · 7 answers · asked by Confused on Rolaids 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
let me be the first to point out my own typing mistake, as the word "matter" is spelled wrong. :-)
2007-03-04 13:14:32 · update #1
I wasn't able to find a grammatical source online but I'm also a stickler about grammar, and I would agree with you. "One Rolaids" is correct, despite how strange that sounds. Similar examples are discussed in a book called "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" by Lynne Truss, and from the sound of it, I think you'd enjoy that book too.
2007-03-04 13:29:22 · answer #1 · answered by LadyInRed 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say: a rolaid or some rolaids
think about this
razzles is a gum or candy, whatever
you would ask for a razzle or some razzles
OK. If you don't like that one how about:
M&Ms
You say: could I have an M&M or could I have some M&Ms.
The M&Ms have it. The lady is right. Sorry Bud. But that's just my opinion. I would ask for a rolaid or some rolaids. What about tums? Would you ask for a tum or some tums?
The "S" on the package is to show that there are more than one.
How about tic tacs? You would ask for a tic tac or some tic tacs.
RIGHT?
OK. I have this one right in front of me. I have a pack of pencils. It says Pencils (with an "S") on the package. Would you ask for a pencil or a pencils???????
Now she's got ya. Nice try Bud. Better luck next time.
2007-03-04 13:34:39 · answer #2 · answered by Me2 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That's a hard one. I mean if you ask for a Kleenex, you would get one, even though the entire box is called Kleenex but I think because you said "a" Kleenex, it would specify one. The s on the end of Rolaids is what causes the confusion. I would most likely ask for a Rolaid, but that's just me. If you're talking about the candy "Sour Patch Kids" you would'nt ask for a Sour Patch Kid but with "Fig Newtons" you can ask for a Fig Newton. Good luck with that one. You made my brain hurt. :)
2007-03-04 13:30:14 · answer #3 · answered by Just me near dc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmm. I'd say Rolaid, because when you look a package of "Rolaids" there are more than one of them.
2007-03-04 13:16:55 · answer #4 · answered by addicted23doorsdown 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree with you. It should be with the "s" because that is the name of the product whether or not you are taking one or more than one.
But I'll admit that I might me wrong.
Have you ever considered calling or writing the company? I'll bet you they have been asked that question dozens of times.
2007-03-04 13:19:45 · answer #5 · answered by jdnmsedsacrasac1 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Linux >>> Line-oo-ex 2. Hugh grant>>> Hue-g 3. Van Heusen>>> Van Hue-son 4. Danielle metal>>> its Daniel>>> 5. Werner von Siemens (founding father of Siemens AG) 6. Volkswagon>>> vfox-wagon
2016-12-05 06:12:11 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it is stupid that you and ur wife argue over this...
no one cares.
2007-03-04 13:17:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋